Significant Increase in Tax Refunds Reported
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy IRS?
Source: CNBC
- Increase in Refund Amounts: As of February 13, the average tax refund for individual filers reached $2,476, reflecting a 14.2% increase from last year's $2,169, indicating potential improvements in taxpayers' financial situations due to policy adjustments.
- Total Refunds Rise: The total amount refunded so far this season is approximately $32 billion, representing an 8.3% increase from 2025, which could stimulate consumer spending and contribute to economic growth.
- Decline in Filings: Despite the increase in refund amounts, the total number of tax filings has decreased by 2.6%, suggesting potential complexities in the filing process or uncertainties regarding tax policies that may deter taxpayers.
- Policy Impact Analysis: The Trump administration's tax policies are believed to be a contributing factor to the increase in refunds, although there is insufficient data to support the sustainability of this trend, which may influence future tax policy decisions.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy IRS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on IRS
About IRS
IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones SA is an Argentina-based company primarily engaged in the real estate sector. The Company’s scope of activities is operated through five business segments: Shopping Malls, which primarily focuses on service and lease of controlled shopping malls; Offices, which is associated with office-leasing services; Hotels, through which the operation of Company-owned hotels, which encompass room, catering, as well as restaurant facilities, is conducted; Sales and Developments, which relies on various activities in regards to rental properties as well as development, maintenance, and sales of both undeveloped parcels as well as trading properties; Others, which is connected with providing a range of entertainment activities coordinated through the companies that are associated with the Company, which include La Arena SA, La Rural SA, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Average Tax Refund Increases by 10.6% This Season
- Increased Refund Amount: As of February 27, the average tax refund for individual filers reached $3,742, reflecting a 10.6% increase from last year's $3,382, indicating that tax policy adjustments are providing greater economic benefits to taxpayers.
- Filing Data Overview: The IRS has received approximately 51.5 million individual returns so far, with an expected total of about 164 million by the April 15 deadline, demonstrating a positive response from taxpayers to the new tax laws.
- Impact of New Tax Laws: The Trump administration's tax breaks, including deductions for tip and overtime income, have led to 43% of returns utilizing Schedule 1-A, resulting in these filers receiving an average refund that is $775 larger than last year, showcasing the direct economic impact of the policy changes.
- Complexity of Policy Changes: Despite the increase in refund amounts, experts note that actual refunds or balances due are still influenced by workers' paycheck withholdings and other payments throughout the year, with many taxpayers experiencing only hundreds of dollars in differences rather than the thousands initially anticipated.
See More
Trump's New Tax Deduction Policy Raises Filing Risks
- Tax Deduction Policy: Trump's new 'no tax on overtime' deduction allows single filers to deduct up to $12,500 annually, attracting millions of taxpayers, but experts warn of potential filing errors.
- Filing Statistics: As of March 4, the IRS received nearly 56 million returns, with 43% including the new Schedule 1-A, indicating that the overtime deduction is the largest filing category for this form, reflecting the policy's widespread impact.
- Compliance Risks: Although approximately 98 million workers were eligible for overtime in 2023, only 8% of hourly workers and 4% of salaried workers regularly qualify under FLSA, leading many to be unclear on how to accurately claim deductions during tax filing.
- Disclosure Gaps: With the Treasury and IRS waiving employer reporting requirements for 2025, some workers may not see overtime reflected on W-2 or 1099 forms, increasing complexity and risk of errors in tax filings.
See More
Updated Quant Ratings for Small-Cap Real Estate Firms
- Top Rated Companies: IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anónima (IRS) leads with a quant rating of 4.96, indicating strong performance in valuation, growth, and profitability, which is likely to attract investor interest.
- Strong Buy Ratings: Postal Realty Trust (PSTL) and NewLake Capital Partners (NLCP) received quant ratings of 4.93 and 4.90 respectively, suggesting significant strengthening of their fundamentals post-earnings, potentially driving their stock prices higher.
- Lowest Rated Companies: Service Properties Trust (SVC) has the lowest quant rating at 1.30, highlighting severe deficiencies in profitability and growth, which may lead to declining investor confidence.
- Strong Sell Ratings: NexPoint Residential Trust (NXRT) and Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) received quant ratings of 1.22 and 1.19, reflecting their lack of competitiveness in the market and posing greater investment risks.
See More
Trump Accounts Attract Nearly 2 Million Family Applications
- Surge in Applications: Following a massive publicity campaign, including a Super Bowl ad and a Times Square billboard, nearly 2 million forms have been filed for Trump accounts, potentially benefiting around 3 million children, indicating strong market demand.
- Tax Season Launch: Since the tax season began on January 26, families have had their first opportunity to apply for Trump accounts by filing IRS Form 4547, which allows them to claim seed money of up to $1,000, further fueling the application surge.
- Increased Corporate Support: A growing number of companies have pledged to match the Treasury's initial deposit for employees' children’s Trump accounts, allowing employers to contribute up to $2,500 as part of the $5,000 annual limit, enhancing the account's appeal.
- Account Setup Process: After submitting the form, families will be contacted by a
See More
Significant Increase in Tax Refunds Reported
- Increase in Refund Amounts: As of February 13, the average tax refund for individual filers reached $2,476, reflecting a 14.2% increase from last year's $2,169, indicating potential improvements in taxpayers' financial situations due to policy adjustments.
- Total Refunds Rise: The total amount refunded so far this season is approximately $32 billion, representing an 8.3% increase from 2025, which could stimulate consumer spending and contribute to economic growth.
- Decline in Filings: Despite the increase in refund amounts, the total number of tax filings has decreased by 2.6%, suggesting potential complexities in the filing process or uncertainties regarding tax policies that may deter taxpayers.
- Policy Impact Analysis: The Trump administration's tax policies are believed to be a contributing factor to the increase in refunds, although there is insufficient data to support the sustainability of this trend, which may influence future tax policy decisions.
See More
Trump's Tax Law Expected to Boost 2026 Refunds
- Expected Refund Growth: Early data from the Treasury indicates that the average tax refund for 2023 has reached $2,290, an approximate 11% increase from last year, while Trump's tax law is projected to provide an average of $1,000 in stimulus per household in 2026, highlighting the positive impact of the policy.
- Policy Impact Analysis: Trump's tax law changes could further enhance refund growth by increasing the federal deduction cap for state and local taxes and introducing a 'no tax on overtime' deduction, directly affecting households' disposable income and spending power.
- Market Reaction: Research from investment bank Piper Sandler suggests that Trump's 'retroactive tax cuts' could average around $1,000 per refund, although some taxpayers may see significantly higher amounts, which would positively influence market consumption.
- Data Trend Observation: Although current data is still in its early stages, tax policy expert Andrew Lautz notes that typically by late February, refund amounts significantly increase due to the inclusion of earned income tax credits and additional child tax credits, indicating potential for greater refund growth in the coming weeks.
See More
Average Tax Refund Increases by 10.6% This Season
- Increased Refund Amount: As of February 27, the average tax refund for individual filers reached $3,742, reflecting a 10.6% increase from last year's $3,382, indicating that tax policy adjustments are providing greater economic benefits to taxpayers.
- Filing Data Overview: The IRS has received approximately 51.5 million individual returns so far, with an expected total of about 164 million by the April 15 deadline, demonstrating a positive response from taxpayers to the new tax laws.
- Impact of New Tax Laws: The Trump administration's tax breaks, including deductions for tip and overtime income, have led to 43% of returns utilizing Schedule 1-A, resulting in these filers receiving an average refund that is $775 larger than last year, showcasing the direct economic impact of the policy changes.
- Complexity of Policy Changes: Despite the increase in refund amounts, experts note that actual refunds or balances due are still influenced by workers' paycheck withholdings and other payments throughout the year, with many taxpayers experiencing only hundreds of dollars in differences rather than the thousands initially anticipated.
See More
Trump's New Tax Deduction Policy Raises Filing Risks
- Tax Deduction Policy: Trump's new 'no tax on overtime' deduction allows single filers to deduct up to $12,500 annually, attracting millions of taxpayers, but experts warn of potential filing errors.
- Filing Statistics: As of March 4, the IRS received nearly 56 million returns, with 43% including the new Schedule 1-A, indicating that the overtime deduction is the largest filing category for this form, reflecting the policy's widespread impact.
- Compliance Risks: Although approximately 98 million workers were eligible for overtime in 2023, only 8% of hourly workers and 4% of salaried workers regularly qualify under FLSA, leading many to be unclear on how to accurately claim deductions during tax filing.
- Disclosure Gaps: With the Treasury and IRS waiving employer reporting requirements for 2025, some workers may not see overtime reflected on W-2 or 1099 forms, increasing complexity and risk of errors in tax filings.
See More
Updated Quant Ratings for Small-Cap Real Estate Firms
- Top Rated Companies: IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anónima (IRS) leads with a quant rating of 4.96, indicating strong performance in valuation, growth, and profitability, which is likely to attract investor interest.
- Strong Buy Ratings: Postal Realty Trust (PSTL) and NewLake Capital Partners (NLCP) received quant ratings of 4.93 and 4.90 respectively, suggesting significant strengthening of their fundamentals post-earnings, potentially driving their stock prices higher.
- Lowest Rated Companies: Service Properties Trust (SVC) has the lowest quant rating at 1.30, highlighting severe deficiencies in profitability and growth, which may lead to declining investor confidence.
- Strong Sell Ratings: NexPoint Residential Trust (NXRT) and Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) received quant ratings of 1.22 and 1.19, reflecting their lack of competitiveness in the market and posing greater investment risks.
See More
Trump Accounts Attract Nearly 2 Million Family Applications
- Surge in Applications: Following a massive publicity campaign, including a Super Bowl ad and a Times Square billboard, nearly 2 million forms have been filed for Trump accounts, potentially benefiting around 3 million children, indicating strong market demand.
- Tax Season Launch: Since the tax season began on January 26, families have had their first opportunity to apply for Trump accounts by filing IRS Form 4547, which allows them to claim seed money of up to $1,000, further fueling the application surge.
- Increased Corporate Support: A growing number of companies have pledged to match the Treasury's initial deposit for employees' children’s Trump accounts, allowing employers to contribute up to $2,500 as part of the $5,000 annual limit, enhancing the account's appeal.
- Account Setup Process: After submitting the form, families will be contacted by a
See More
Significant Increase in Tax Refunds Reported
- Increase in Refund Amounts: As of February 13, the average tax refund for individual filers reached $2,476, reflecting a 14.2% increase from last year's $2,169, indicating potential improvements in taxpayers' financial situations due to policy adjustments.
- Total Refunds Rise: The total amount refunded so far this season is approximately $32 billion, representing an 8.3% increase from 2025, which could stimulate consumer spending and contribute to economic growth.
- Decline in Filings: Despite the increase in refund amounts, the total number of tax filings has decreased by 2.6%, suggesting potential complexities in the filing process or uncertainties regarding tax policies that may deter taxpayers.
- Policy Impact Analysis: The Trump administration's tax policies are believed to be a contributing factor to the increase in refunds, although there is insufficient data to support the sustainability of this trend, which may influence future tax policy decisions.
See More
Trump's Tax Law Expected to Boost 2026 Refunds
- Expected Refund Growth: Early data from the Treasury indicates that the average tax refund for 2023 has reached $2,290, an approximate 11% increase from last year, while Trump's tax law is projected to provide an average of $1,000 in stimulus per household in 2026, highlighting the positive impact of the policy.
- Policy Impact Analysis: Trump's tax law changes could further enhance refund growth by increasing the federal deduction cap for state and local taxes and introducing a 'no tax on overtime' deduction, directly affecting households' disposable income and spending power.
- Market Reaction: Research from investment bank Piper Sandler suggests that Trump's 'retroactive tax cuts' could average around $1,000 per refund, although some taxpayers may see significantly higher amounts, which would positively influence market consumption.
- Data Trend Observation: Although current data is still in its early stages, tax policy expert Andrew Lautz notes that typically by late February, refund amounts significantly increase due to the inclusion of earned income tax credits and additional child tax credits, indicating potential for greater refund growth in the coming weeks.
See More
