IRS News Releases  
IR-2010-35 March 23, 2010

IRS Issues 2010 Filing Season Statistics

WASHINGTON - Electronically filed tax returns are on track with last year and overall refunds are running nearly 10 percent higher so far in 2010, according to statistics issued today by the Internal Revenue Service.

The statistics issued today, covering the period through March 12, show that while the overall number of tax returns filed this year is down slightly, the percentage of returns using e-file remains strong. More than 82 percent of the 69 million returns received this year have come in via e-file. Home usage of e-file is up almost 7 percent compared to this time last year.

Additionally, the average federal refund totaled $3,036, an increase of $266 compared with the same period a year ago.

The refund increase follows a number of federal tax incentives enacted last year as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, such as the homebuyer credit and the American Opportunity Credit.

“There are several new credits and deductions this year, so we encourage taxpayers to see if they qualify when they fill out their tax return,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “To get their refunds quicker, the IRS reminds taxpayers that the fastest, easiest way is to e-file and use direct deposit.”

Taxpayers can check their eligibility for these credits and deductions on the Recovery page of this Web site. This special section also contains instructions on how to claim the available tax incentives and provides answers to frequently asked questions. Detailed information is available on the:

2010 FILING SEASON STATISTICS

Cumulative through the weeks ending 03/13/09 and 03/12/10

Individual Income Tax Returns

2009

2010

% Change

Total Receipts

70,807,000

68,743,000

-2.9%

Total Processed

67,595,000

64,284,000

-4.9%

E-filing Receipts:

TOTAL

56,665,000

56,802,000

0.2%

Tax Professionals

36,751,000

35,509,000

-3.4%

Self-prepared

19,914,000

21,293,000

6.9%

Web Usage:

Visits to IRS.gov

126,091,068

121,091,068

-4.2

Total Refunds:

Number

61,042,000

57,779,000

-5.3%

Amount

$169.1

billion

$175.4

billion

3.7%

Average refund

$2,770

$3,036

9.6%

Direct Deposit Refunds:

Number

48,643,000

47,893,000

-1.5%

Amount

$146.4

billion

$154.8

billion

5.7%

Average refund

$3,010

$3,232

7.4%

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