Overview
- As of Mar. 13, the average federal refund was $3,623, up from $3,271 a year earlier, based on 69.7 million processed returns, IRS data show.
- The national average gasoline price reached about $3.91 per gallon, roughly a dollar higher than a month ago, according to AAA.
- GasBuddy estimates U.S. drivers have spent about $4.1 billion more on gasoline since Feb. 28 because of the price spike.
- About 45% of returns have claimed at least one new Schedule 1‑A provision, and those filers are seeing average refund increases of roughly $775, according to IRS testimony and Treasury data.
- The White House’s January projection of average refunds rising by $1,000 or more has not been reflected in season‑to‑date averages.