Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Upgraded Points.
Every April, millions of Americans prepare their tax returns and anticipate potential refunds. For many, the federal tax refund represents an important financial boost — one that can help cover expenses, reduce debt, or increase savings.
Using the latest data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), we explore how refund amounts vary across income levels and the U.S.
The following is a breakdown of the states with the largest average refund size by income group (less than $50K, $50K to $100K, $100K to $200K, and $200K+), with the percentage of taxpayers receiving refunds and the percentage of direct deposit refunds. Learn more about the methodology at the end.
15. Washington
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,810
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,386
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,083
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,692
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $15,046
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 66.4%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 90.8%
14. New Jersey
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,818
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,590
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,219
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,760
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $13,552
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 65.7%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 87.6%
13. Massachusetts
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,830
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,266
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $2,975
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,678
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $16,909
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 65.6%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 86.2%
12. New York
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,843
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,686
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,119
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,671
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $19,743
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 66.5%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 89.8%
11. California
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,848
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,601
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,137
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,983
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $16,133
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 62.7%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 88.7%
10. Alabama
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,863
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $3,425
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,330
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,557
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $16,755
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 70.9%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 91.3%
9. Connecticut
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,869
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,408
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,127
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,798
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $17,558
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 67.0%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 89.6%
8. Illinois
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $3,907
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,875
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,268
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,740
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $16,930
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 69.6%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 91.6%
7. Mississippi
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,018
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $3,625
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,424
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,754
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $23,065
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 74.0%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 91.4%
6. Georgia
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,114
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $3,525
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,435
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $4,733
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $16,411
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 68.6%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 92.0%
5. Louisiana
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,117
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $3,616
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,484
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $5,160
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $17,632
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 73.0%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 91.4%
4. Nevada
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,193
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,900
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,334
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $5,224
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $29,214
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 69.6%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 91.0%
3. Wyoming
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,282
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $2,408
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,330
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $5,033
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $44,023
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 67.8%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 89.5%
2. Texas
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,344
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $3,290
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,629
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $5,363
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $20,494
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 71.3%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 92.4%
1. Florida
- Average Refund Amount (Overall): $4,433
- Average Refund Amount (<$50K): $3,054
- Average Refund Amount ($50K–$100K): $3,539
- Average Refund Amount ($100K–$200K): $5,551
- Average Refund Amount ($200K+): $29,270
- Share of Returns With Refunds: 67.1%
- Share of Refunds Issued via Direct Deposit: 91.6%
Methodology
This analysis uses data from 2 primary sources provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): the Filing Season Statistics and the Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040) Statistics.
The Filing Season Statistics offer the most up-to-date information on federal tax refunds, including estimates through the 2026 filing season. However, these figures reflect data by filing season, not by tax year, and may differ slightly from specific tax year data.
For more detailed breakdowns, the most recent available data from the Form 1040 Statistics, which covers Tax Year 2022, was used. The average refund amount was calculated by dividing the total amount of overpayments refunded by the total number of returns that resulted in a refund, which is consistent with the IRS’s standard definition.
Dollar values were adjusted for inflation to better estimate tax refunds in 2026. It is important to note that this does not represent the average total overpayment since some taxpayers elect to have their overpayments credited to the next tax year rather than refunded.
However, according to IRS data, approximately 97% of taxpayers choose to receive their overpayment as a refund, making this a reliable estimate of the refund experience for most filers.
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