Insight Report 3 minutes Premium2019 Tax Tracker #4: Filings Catch Up and Average Refund Now Up Year Over Year Coresight Research March 5, 2019 Executive SummaryThe US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tracks tax return filings on a weekly basis. As of February 22, the IRS had received 49.9 million tax returns, down 3.5% year over year. A total of 38.6 million refunds had been issued as of that date (down 4.8% year over year), totaling $121.2 billion (down 3.6% year over year) and averaging $3,143 (up $40 or 1.3% year over year). The continuing slow rate of filing is likely due to confusion from tax law changes, combined with reduced availability of IRS agents due to the government shutdown. Given a solid US economy, higher wages and employment rates, total refunds are likely to be higher in 2019, now that the disruption from the government shutdown has been resolved. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in: RetailTech: Empowering Retail’s Front Line, Creating Smarter Stores—Five Tech-Driven Strategies for Associate EnablementWalmart Investment Community Meeting 2025: From Low-Margin Retailer to Diversified, Digital Profit Engine, But Tariffs Create UncertaintyThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week, Week 17: US Retail and Consumer LatestStore Tracker Extra: US Store Openings and Closures 2024 Review and 2025 Outlook