Last-Minute Tax Tips as Deadline Approaches
As the deadline to file 2025 tax returns looms, CPA and TurboTax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis offers valuable last-minute advice for taxpayers. Many Americans will find their refunds this year to be larger, on average, compared to last year.
A recent analysis reveals that the estimated average refund in 2026 reached $3,571, with about 72.9% of taxpayers set to receive a refund. This figure marks an increase from the record $3,252 reported in 2022, although it does show a slight dip from 77.1% in 2021.
This increase in refunds is largely attributed to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which has extended various tax laws and introduced new policies aimed at providing tax benefits on income derived from tips, overtime, Social Security, and even auto loans for vehicles made in the U.S.
However, it’s interesting to note that residents of different states are experiencing varied refund amounts. According to IRS data, Florida is seeing the highest average refund, adjusted for inflation to about $4,433. Among the over 11.1 million federal tax returns filed, around 67.1% resulted in refunds for taxpayers there.
“Tax Day isn’t usually a time for celebration, but this year, Americans can feel a bit more positive, noting they are likely to see larger refunds or lower tax bills,” said Ashley Moody from the Florida Republican Party, who supports the Working Families Tax Relief Package—the largest tax cut in history for working Americans.
Moody indicated that Floridians enjoy the highest federal tax refunds in the nation, helping to retain more money for families, workers, and businesses.
An analysis highlights the following states with the largest refunds: Texas, where taxpayers reported an average refund of $4,344 with 71.3% receiving refunds, followed closely by Wyoming at $4,282, and Nevada at $4,193. Louisiana also ranks high with an average refund of $4,117 for nearly 2 million tax returns filed, marking a refund rate of 73%, the third highest in the nation.
County-level data reveals even higher refund amounts in affluent areas, such as Teton County, Wyoming, which boasted an impressive average refund of $15,156, although only 51.9% of the federal returns resulted in refunds. Other notable locations include Pitkin County, Colorado, with an average of $8,756, and Summit County, Utah, around $8,481.
In Collier County, Florida, home to Naples, taxpayers reported an average refund of $7,764, with 56.6% of applicants receiving a refund.
