WASHINGTON, Feb 19, 2026, 07:29 EST
- Trump said his “One Big Beautiful Bill” would mean tax refunds for certain filers jump by “over 20%.”
- The IRS is showing an average refund that’s up roughly 11% over last year, although the total number of refunds issued so far is lagging behind.
- The IRS is nudging filers toward electronic submissions and direct deposit, warning that errors and sending payments by mail might delay processing for weeks.
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump said tax refunds this year will be “substantially greater than ever before.” He cited estimates claiming “over 20% will be returned to the Taxpayer” in certain cases. Trump’s remarks came as the 2026 filing season approaches. Foxbusiness
With millions watching refund timelines, the latest IRS tally (as of Feb. 6) shows the average payout hitting $2,290. That’s a 10.9% jump from last year’s $2,065, but the agency has issued 8.1% fewer refunds so far. The IRS says these early numbers don’t count refunds held for certain credits under a mid-February rule, and adds that trends usually stabilize later on. Irs
The IRS is warning taxpayers about errors that could delay refunds. In a tax tip dated Feb. 17, the agency highlighted several common mistakes: people filing before they have all their documents, picking the wrong filing status, getting names wrong, missing Social Security numbers, botched credits, or typing in incorrect bank details. E-file systems typically catch these errors and reject the returns so filers can fix them, which the IRS says helps prevent even longer holdups. Irs
Trump pointed to provisions he said would eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits for seniors. He flagged a fresh interest deduction tied to car loans as well. The law, enacted on July 4, 2025, aimed to preserve and lengthen a slate of tax cuts originally rolled out in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Spending measures in the bill drew a warning from the Congressional Budget Office about increased deficits.
The refund schedule is changing as well. The government’s set to eliminate paper checks, with the IRS aiming to begin phasing them out starting Sept. 30, 2025. That tracks with a 2025 executive order pushing Treasury toward all-electronic payments. According to the agency, most electronic refunds land in accounts in under 21 days, while paper checks can take six weeks or longer. Irs
Small mistakes can trip things up fast. Type the wrong number in your bank info, and that direct deposit might stall, creating extra hassle. The IRS is urging filers to double-check routing and account numbers before submitting.
Shutdown risks haven’t faded. The IRS has warned before: most tax refunds get stuck if Congress doesn’t fund the agency—unless you’ve filed an error-free Form 1040 online and opted for direct deposit. Anyone mailing in a paper return? They’ll be waiting until the agency fully reopens, per the IRS. Irs
Don’t count on bigger refunds just yet—early numbers can paint the wrong picture. Often, a larger check reflects extra withholding rather than any real gain after taxes. The IRS says these early-season jumps tend to even out as more filings come through. One more wrinkle: payments tied to the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit are subject to a mid-February hold, the result of a 2015 anti-fraud rule that delays certain refunds.
For filers eyeing a quick refund, the agency has a few pointers: wait until you’ve got all reporting forms in hand, file electronically, and choose direct deposit. Double-checking those names, Social Security numbers, and bank details—worth the minute, since mistakes can cost you.
