IRS releases 2025 tax filing season refund data showing more filers received refunds at higher average amounts
As of mid-April 2025, the IRS had received over 140 million tax returns, with approximately 90.4 million filers owed refunds. The average refund rose to roughly $3,275-$3,400 compared to $2,942 the prior year, a jump attributed partly to new deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and seniors. Total refunds paid out reached $296 billion, up 17% from the prior filing season.
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Divergence score
2 outlets covered it, splitting into 2 framing camps across 2 bias groups.
2 camps
2 bias groups
The spectrum · how 2 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
CNN
The Hill
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
The split, in one line
CNN notes the average refund of $3,275 was well below the $1,000 increase Treasury had projected, while The Hill leads with a record tax refund framing using the Treasury's own higher $3,400 figure without flagging the shortfall.
How each outlet covered it
Lightly covered so far
Too few outlets to map a left-right split. Here is each take as it stands.
Sparse coverage · 2 outlets
“How Americans are spending their tax refunds”
“Americans' taxes by the numbers”
Tracked claims from across the political spectrum
Fact ledger
Corroborated
Disputed