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. This report is for paying subscribers only. Already a paying subscriber? Please log in to see the entire report.If you wish to learn more about our subscription plans and become a paying subscriber, click here. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in: Retail Shrink and ORC: Losing Inventory, Losing Customers—US Consumers’ Response to TheftMarket Navigator: US Apparel and Footwear Retailing—After the Bounce, What’s Next?Earnings Insights 4Q22, Week 6: Burlington, Dollar Tree, Kroger and Urban Outfitters Post Strong Sales Growth; Carter’s, Kohl’s, Lowe’s and Qurate Retail See Sales DeclineUS CPG Sales Tracker: Beauty Slows Sharply, While Online Grocery Growth Continues To Decelerate