IRS Reports Nearly 166 Million Individual Income Tax Returns in 2025
Year-end IRS figures show how Americans file their income tax returns and receive refunds as the agency moves away from paper refund checks.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) received nearly 166 million individual income tax returns during 2025, with electronic filing accounting for more than nine out of ten. Its year-end figures also show an average income tax refund of $3,167 and widespread use of direct deposit.
The comparisons below cover cumulative activity through December 27, 2024 and December 26, 2025. The years describe when returns were received, not necessarily the tax years those returns cover. The Change column measures the increase or decrease from the 2024 figure.
Percentage of Individual Income Tax Returns E-Filed by Year
Electronic filing represented 93.4% of individual returns received in 2025, up from 92.8% in 2024. Estimated paper filings fell by about 779,000 even as total filings increased.
| Filing method | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total returns received | 163,473,000 | 165,824,000 | +1.4% |
| Electronic returns received | 151,781,000 | 154,911,000 | +2.1% |
| Estimated paper returns received | 11,692,000 | 10,913,000 | -6.7% |
Estimated paper returns equal total returns received minus electronic returns received. These estimates and the percentage shares are calculated from the IRS figures.
Self-Prepared vs. Professionally Prepared E-Filed Returns
Tax professionals submitted 56.7% of electronic returns in 2025, while self-prepared returns accounted for 43.3%. Both groups filed more electronic returns than in 2024.
| Preparation method | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total electronic returns received | 151,781,000 | 154,911,000 | +2.1% |
| Filed through tax professionals | 85,642,000 | 87,855,000 | +2.6% |
| Self-prepared electronic returns | 66,140,000 | 67,056,000 | +1.4% |
This is a comparison of electronic returns only. It does not divide the entire preparation market by provider or tell us how much taxpayers paid for help. The IRS notes that rounded subtotals may not add to the reported total.
How Many Income Tax Refunds Did the IRS Issue?
The IRS issued approximately 103.8 million refunds in 2025. That count equals 62.6% of returns received, compared with 64.1% in 2024. This compares aggregate counts, rather than tracking whether each return received during the year produced a refund.
| Return or refund measure | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total returns received | 163,473,000 | 165,824,000 | +1.4% |
| Number of refunds issued | 104,866,000 | 103,846,000 | -1.0% |
| Total amount refunded | $329.073 billion | $328.878 billion | -0.1% |
| Average refund | $3,138 | $3,167 | +0.9% |
The number of refunds declined 1.0%, but the average refund rose $29 to $3,167. An average describes the group and does not predict the amount an individual taxpayer will receive.
Most Income Tax Refunds Arrive by Direct Deposit
Direct deposit delivered 90.8% of refunds in the 2025 totals, slightly above 90.6% in 2024. For taxpayers considering how to receive a refund, the figures show that electronic delivery is already the most common method.
| Refund measure | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total refunds issued | 104,866,000 | 103,846,000 | -1.0% |
| Direct-deposit refunds | 95,001,000 | 94,335,000 | -0.7% |
| Amount refunded by direct deposit | $301.195 billion | $304.691 billion | +1.2% |
| Average direct-deposit refund | $3,170 | $3,230 | +1.9% |
The higher average for direct-deposit refunds does not mean choosing that method increases your refund. The amount depends on the tax return, while the payment method determines how the money reaches you.
The Internal Revenue Service is also changing the options available. In its September announcement, the agency said it would begin phasing out paper refund checks for individuals on September 30, 2025 under Executive Order 14247. The IRS describes electronic payments as faster and less vulnerable to lost or stolen checks.
For the coming filing season, taxpayers should prepare to receive refunds by direct deposit or another supported electronic method. The IRS says prepaid debit cards and digital wallets may be options in some cases, with limited exceptions for people unable to receive electronic payments. That does not mean the agency will automatically mail everyone a replacement debit card. Have your banking information ready, or consider opening a bank account if you do not have one. Review the refund section of the 2025 Form 1040 instructions for more details about your options.
How you file the return and how you receive a refund are separate decisions. The check phaseout does not eliminate paper income tax returns. Our federal income tax forms page provides printable Form 1040 editions, instructions, and supporting schedules to help you prepare.
References:
- Filing Season Statistics for Week Ending December 26, 2025. Cumulative 2024 and 2025 filing and refund figures. Paper-return estimates and percentage shares are calculated from these totals. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
- IRS to Phase Out Paper Tax Refund Checks Starting With Individual Taxpayers. IR-2025-94, September 23, 2025. Transition timing, electronic payment options, and limited exceptions. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
- What the IRS Phaseout of Paper Checks Means for You. November 17, 2025. Preparation guidance and possible prepaid-card or digital-wallet options. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
- Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account. Executive Order 14247, March 25, 2025. Sections 3 and 4 address electronic payments and exceptions. The White House. Retrieved September 22, 2026.