With the April 15 tax deadline just around the corner, the US tax season is in full swing. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has already processed more than 100 million tax returns for 2025. As of April 4, around 67 million people have received their tax refunds, with a total of over $210 billion returned to taxpayers.
Let’s take a closer look at how things are going this tax season in the United States.
Most Returns Filed Electronically
So far, 99% of all tax returns have been filed online. Out of the 101.4 million returns received, 98.1 million were sent electronically. Among these, 53.3 million were filed by tax professionals, while 44.7 million were prepared by individuals themselves. Only about 2.1 million paper forms were submitted, which is a very small number in comparison.
The IRS is aiming to match last year’s numbers, even though there has been a slight drop of 0.4% in the total returns received.
Refunds Issued Quickly for Most People
The average time to process an electronic return, if there are no errors, remains at 21 days. According to the IRS, 9 out of 10 refunds have already been sent within three weeks of filing. However, if you filed on paper or made mistakes in your return, the wait time could stretch up to six months.
Interestingly, the average refund amount this year is 3.5% higher than last year, showing a positive trend for taxpayers.
Some States Get More Refund Money Than Others
The average refund across the country is $3,164, but some states are getting much more. Florida leads with an average refund of $3,852. Texas follows with $3,774, and Wyoming with $3,720. Other top states include Nevada ($3,643) and Louisiana ($3,577).
On the lower end, the New England and Northeast regions are getting about 12% less than the national average. This could be because of lower income levels, fewer state tax credits, or limited access to tax help in those areas.
Louisiana stands out not only for its high average refund but also for having one of the highest refund approval rates—73% of filers in the state received money back.
Help Is Available: Track Your Refund Easily
The IRS encourages everyone to use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on their official website or the IRS2Go mobile app to check the status of their refund. To avoid common filing errors, taxpayers can refer to the IRS “cheat sheet,” which offers simple tips to make the process easier.
Popular tax filing platforms like TurboTax and H&R Block are also recommended for their ease of use and high ratings in 2025.
Deadline Extensions and Payment Plans
While the main tax deadline is April 15, people living in states hit by natural disasters—like Maine or California—have been given more time to file. These residents don’t need to rush and have extended deadlines.
If you’re not ready to file, you can request an extension until October 15. However, if you owe taxes, you still have to pay the amount by April 15 to avoid late fees. For those who owe more than $10,000, the IRS offers payment plans for up to 72 months to help them manage their debt
As tax season nears its end, millions of Americans have already filed their returns, with most refunds being issued quickly. The rise in average refund amounts is good news for taxpayers, especially in states like Florida and Texas.
With tools like “Where’s My Refund?” and helpful tax software, managing taxes is becoming easier and more efficient. Whether you’re filing on time or taking an extension, it’s important to understand your options and plan ahead to avoid penalties or delays.