As the 2026 tax filing season gains momentum, early data from the Internal Revenue Service show refunds running 10.9% higher than last year. The agency reports an average refund of $2,290 as of February 6, compared with $2,065 during the same period in 2025. More than 22.3million returns have already reached the IRS through Feb. 6th, and officials expect volumes to rise steadily through the April 15 deadline. Against that backdrop, Donald Trump has promoted what he describes as substantially larger refunds this year. Writing on Truth Social, Trump credited “THE GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” for boosting taxpayer returns. He stated that in some cases, estimates show over 20% returned to taxpayers. He pointed to provisions such as no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security benefits for seniors, no tax on overtime, and interest deductions on car loans. Source: Donald J. Trump via X Tax Changes Driving Refund Growth Lawmakers passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025. The law introduced several new deductions and expanded credits. Service workers who earn under $150,000 annually can now deduct up to $25,000 in eligible tip income. Workers who log overtime hours can deduct pay from up to 250 overtime hours, depending on income limits. Seniors also benefit from a new $6,000 bonus deduction. Single filers with modified adjusted gross income below $75,000 qualify for the full amount, while married couples qualify below $150,000. These measures aim to increase take-home refunds for millions of households. The Child Tax Credit has also grown. Starting in 2025, families can claim $2,200 per qualifying child. The credit will rise each year in line with inflation. Claimants must hold a work-eligible Social Security number to qualify. The credit remains partially refundable, which allows eligible families to receive payments even if they owe little federal income tax. Why Some Refunds Will Take Longer Not every taxpayer will see funds immediately. The IRS says it will hold refunds for filers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February. The agency follows the 2015 Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which requires this delay to combat fraud. Tax preparer H&R Block explains that the delay gives the IRS time to detect fraudulent filings. The company advises taxpayers to check the “Where’s My Refund” tool in mid-to-late February for personalized updates. Early-season data often show sharp percentage changes. The IRS notes that filing totals typically even out as more returns arrive. Many taxpayers waited for key documents in late January, which slowed early submissions. Officials expect filing numbers to catch up in the coming weeks. Legal Dispute Adds Spotlight Meanwhile, Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization recently filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and the Treasury Department. The suit alleges that officials leaked confidential tax information. The amount equals roughly two-thirds of the IRS’s 2026 budget. Trump has stated that he would donate any proceeds to charity. Tax attorney Adam Brewer of AB Tax Law has also warned low-income individuals to file returns even if they fall below the filing threshold. Filing a return, he says, blocks identity thieves from submitting fraudulent claims. For now, refund figures continue to climb as millions submit returns. Will the average payout hold steady or shift as more credits process? The coming weeks will provide clearer answers.