IRS data shows that the average refund check so far is about $2,200, or $1,000 less than a year earlier. Here's what experts say.

Tax refunds in 2025 are currently running 32% lower than they were a year ago. That gap is expected to close in the coming weeks, though, as returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit begin to be processed.

Early results from the IRS indicate that 7.7% fewer tax returns were filed in the first two weeks of the 2025 season. Why are some delaying filing?