If you filed your taxes this year and got a bigger refund than last year, you’re not alone. IRS data shows that average refunds are notably higher in the 2026 filing season — and there are real reasons behind that increase. But the bigger question isn’t just whether refunds are up. It’s whether your refund reflects everything you’re actually entitled to.
The Numbers Look Good — Here's Why
The latest IRS figures show the average refund has climbed to $3,571 as of March 20 — up nearly 11% from $3,221 at the same point in 2025. Newsweek That’s a meaningful jump, and it didn’t happen by accident.
The 2026 filing season is the first to reflect new tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including deductions for tips, overtime, auto loan interest, and additional relief for senior citizens. Tax Foundation These aren’t minor adjustments — they represent a real shift in what many taxpayers can deduct.
Among the returns filed by early March, almost 45% — more than 27.5 million — claimed at least one of these newly introduced tax breaks. That includes over 3.5 million returns claiming the tips deduction, more than 15.5 million claiming deductions for overtime pay, over 9.2 million claiming the enhanced senior deduction, and more than 690,000 claiming the auto loan interest deduction. Newsweek
The total amount refunded to taxpayers so far this season is up from $163 billion at the same point last year to $182.6 billion — a substantial increase in real dollars going back to American households. CPA Practice Advisor
Not Everyone Is Getting Their Fair Share
Here’s the part that often gets overlooked. While average refunds are up across the board, averages can be misleading. Some taxpayers are seeing increases of only a few dollars while others are seeing several hundred — or more. The difference usually comes down to whether their return was prepared with a thorough understanding of their specific situation.
The new deductions under the OBBBA apply differently depending on your income, your job, your family situation, and how your finances are structured. A taxpayer who received tips may qualify for the tips deduction — but only if it’s properly claimed and documented. A senior with income near the threshold for the additional $6,000 deduction needs to make sure the math is done correctly. A business owner or self-employed individual filing on their own may miss deductions entirely that a knowledgeable tax professional would catch immediately.
Meanwhile, more taxpayers are choosing to prepare their own returns this year, with self-prepared filings up nearly 2% compared to last year. Benzinga That’s not inherently a problem — but it does mean more people are navigating new and unfamiliar tax provisions without professional guidance. New deductions have new rules, and the details matter.
What This Means for You
The fact that refunds are up on average is good news. But “average” is not the same as “maximum.” If your return was prepared by a service that plugs your W-2 into a form and calls it done, there’s a reasonable chance you left money on the table — especially this year, when so many new provisions are in play.
At Morris and Associates, we don’t approach taxes that way. We meet with each client personally to understand their complete financial picture — their income sources, their deductions, their family situation, and their goals. That kind of individualized attention is how you make sure a new deduction that applies to you actually shows up on your return.
If you filed already and you’re not sure whether you got every deduction you qualified for, it may be worth a conversation. And if you haven’t filed yet, there’s still time before the April 15 deadline to make sure your return is done right.
Contact Morris and Associates today for a free consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your situation and make sure you’re not leaving anything behind.
