Income Tax Return, e-File Statistics
eFile, Tax
Statistics
The latest IRS statistics show the amount of tax returns received and processed, how many tax refunds have been sent, and the dollar amount of those refunds. If you have not yet received your tax refund, there is no need to panic - millions of taxpayers are affected by delays and the IRS will eventually send out these refunds. Instead of waiting on a refund of money that is rightfully yours, adjust your tax withholding so you get this money with your paycheck during the year.
How Many Returns Are e-Filed Each Year?
- Each year, more than 90% of all returns filed are filed online (e-filed). There are generally more than 150 million income tax returns which get e-filed by individuals and tax professionals each year.
- Tax refunds via direct bank deposit: Nearly 86.7 million taxpayers received faster federal tax refunds via direct bank deposits into their accounts through electronic transfers out of a total of 93.9 million refunds issued for 2024 Returns. The average tax refund received by direct deposit for was $3,151 compared to an average refund for all types of $3,052.
- See the latest IRS Data Book with statistical information.
Electronic tax return filing has become popular and trusted amongst taxpayers over the years. See how the eFile.com app works and sign up for a free account to prepare and e-file your current year taxes entirely online.
What Percent of Returns Are Filed Online?
The table below shows the total amount of tax returns filed by tax year, the amount of those which were filed electronically or e-filed, and the percentage of those e-filed. The statistics for 2024 Returns are being updated as the IRS provides them.
| 2024 |
163,594,000 |
153,597,000 |
93.8% |
| 2023 |
163,473,000 |
151,781,000 |
92.8% |
| 2022 |
162,037,000 |
150,141,000 |
93% |
| 2021 |
164,246,000 |
151,448,000 |
92% |
| 2020 |
169,098,000 |
152,300,000 |
90% |
| 2019 |
169,684,000 |
152,802,000 |
90.1% |
| 2018 |
155,798,000 |
138,217,000 |
88.7% |
| 2017 |
154,444,000 |
135,459,000 |
87.7% |
| 2016 |
152,235,000 |
132,319,000 |
87.0% |
| 2015 |
152,544,000 |
131,851,000 |
86.4% |
| 2014 |
150,927,000 |
128,784,000 |
85.5% |
| 2013 |
149,684,000 |
125,821,000 |
84.1% |
| 2012 |
148,203,000 |
119,560,000 |
80.7% |
| 2011 |
137,200,000 |
113,074,000 |
82.4% |
| 2010 |
145,320,000 |
112,203,000 |
77.2% |
| 2009 |
141,376,000 |
94,980,000 |
67.9% |
| 2008 |
153,650,000 |
89,853,000 |
58.5% |
| 2007 |
140,188,000 |
79,979,000 |
57.1% |
| 2006 |
136,071,000 |
73,255,000 |
53.84% |
| 2005 |
133,933,000 |
68,476,000 |
51.1% |
| 2004 |
132,200,000 |
61,507,000 |
46.5% |
| 2003 |
131,557,000 |
52,944,000 |
40.2% |
| 2002 |
131,728,000 |
46,892,000 |
35.6% |
| 2001 |
130,965,000 |
40,244,000 |
30.7% |
e-Filing has become more trusted and utilized by taxpayers through its years. See the history of electronic filing here and how it came to be where it is now as well as an IRS review of the 2021 Filing Season for 2020 Returns. The eFile Tax App handles online preparation and e-filing - start preparing your taxes now.
2025 Tax Season (2024 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
The figures below in the 2025 column for 2024 Returns are being updated throughout 2025 as the IRS releases statistics.
| Total returns received |
161,489,000 |
163,594,000 |
1.3 |
| Total returns processed |
161,260,000 |
163,024,000 |
1.1 |
| Total e-filing returns received |
150,811,000 |
153,597,000 |
1.8 |
| E-filing returns received from tax professionals |
84,780,000 |
86,758,000 |
2.3 |
| E-filing returns received from self-prepared |
66,031,000 |
66,839,000 |
1.2 |
| Total number of refunds |
103,185,000 |
102,122,000 |
-1.0 |
| Total amount refunded |
$309.929 billion |
$311.651 billion |
0.6 |
| Average refund amount |
$3,004 |
$3,052 |
1.6 |
| Total number of direct deposit refunds |
93,506,000 |
93,196,000 |
-0.3 |
| Total amount refunded with direct deposit |
$289.107 billion |
$293.696 billion |
1.6 |
| Average direct deposit refund amount |
$3,092 |
$3,151 |
1.9 |
2024 Tax Season (2023 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
The figures below in the 2024 column for 2023 Returns are being updated throughout 2024 as the IRS releases statistics.
| Total Received |
142,577,000 |
144,018,000 |
1.0 |
| Total Processed |
140,224,000 |
141,317,000 |
0.8 |
| Total e-Filed |
134,911,000 |
137,394,000 |
1.8 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
73,531,000 |
72,651,000 |
1.2 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
62,864,000 |
63,204,000 |
2.7 |
| Total Refunds |
94,884,000 |
93,940,000 |
-1.0 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$266.849 billion |
$269.488 billion |
1.0 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,812 |
$2,869 |
2.0 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
88,435,000 |
56,665,000 |
-2.0 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$253.886 billion |
$256.563 billion |
1.1 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,871 |
$2,960 |
3.1 |
2023 Tax Season (2022 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
165,774,000 |
162,037,000 |
-2.3 |
| Total Processed |
168,855,000 |
162,952,000 |
-3.5 |
| Total e-Filed |
152,089,000 |
150,141,000 |
-1.3 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
85,140,000 |
85,049,000 |
-0.1 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
66,949,000 |
65,092,000 |
-2.8 |
| Total Refunds |
110,567,000 |
105,734,000 |
-4.4 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$359.523 billion |
$334.861 billion |
-6.9 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$3,252 |
$3,167 |
-2.6 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
100,758,000 |
96,592,000 |
-4.1 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$331.837 billion |
$303.759 billion |
-8.5 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$3,293 |
$3,145 |
-4.5 |
2022 Tax Season (2021 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
169,656,000 |
165,774,000 |
-2.3 |
| Total Processed |
168,921,000 |
168,855,000 |
0 |
| Total e-Filed |
152,300,000 |
152,089,000 |
-0.1 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
804,924,000 |
85,140,000 |
0.3 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
67,376,000 |
66,949,000 |
-0.6 |
| Total Refunds |
129,983,000 |
110,567,000 |
-14.9 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$366.074 billion |
$359.523 billion |
-1.8 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,816 |
$3,252 |
15.5 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
113,564,000 |
100,758,000 |
-11.3 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$327.263 billion |
$331.837 billion |
1.4 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,882 |
$3,293 |
14.3 |
2021 Tax Season (2020 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
169,153,000 |
169,098,000 |
0.0 |
| Total Processed |
163,217,000 |
168,453000 |
3.2 |
| Total e-Filed |
152,802,000 |
152,300,000 |
-0.3 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
80,583,000 |
84,924,000 |
5.4 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
72,220,000 |
67,376,000 |
-6.7 |
| Total Refunds |
125,703,000 |
129,841,000 |
3.3 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$320.022 billion |
$365.499 billion |
14.2 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,546 |
$2,815 |
10.6 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
102,623,000 |
113,283,000 |
10.4 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$268.885 billion |
$326.184 billion |
21.3 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,620 |
$2,879 |
10 |
2020 Tax Season (2019 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
155,660,000 |
169,684,000 |
9.0 |
| Total Processed |
155,429,000 |
163,654,000 |
5.3 |
| Total e-Filed |
138,217,000 |
152,802,000 |
10.6 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
80,630,000 |
80,582,000 |
-0.1 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
57,587,000 |
>72,220,000 |
25.4 |
| Total Refunds |
112,254,000 |
125,851,000 |
12.1 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$322.176 billion |
$320.851 billion |
-0.4 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,870 |
$2,549 |
-11.2 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
92,021,000 |
102,695,000 |
11.6 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$274.024 billion |
$269.261 billion |
-1.7 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,978 |
$2,622 |
-12 |
2019 Tax Season (2018 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
153,383,000 |
154,297,000 |
0.6 |
| Total Processed |
152,827,000 |
153,721,000 |
0.6 |
| Total e-Filed |
135,459,000 |
138,217,000 |
2.0 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
80,286,000 |
80,630,000 |
0.4 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
55,173,000 |
57,587,000 |
4.4 |
| Total Refunds |
112,154,000 |
111,811,000 |
-0.03 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$326.333 billion |
$320.805 billion |
-1.7 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,910 |
$2,869 |
-1.4 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
90,164,000 |
92,059,000 |
2.1 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$273.697 billion |
$274.253 billion |
0.2 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$3,036 |
$2,979 |
-1.9 |
2018 Tax Season (2017 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
151,825,000 |
154,444,000 |
1.7 |
| Total Processed |
151,446,000 |
154,058,000 |
1.7 |
| Total e-Filed |
132,319,000 |
135,459,000 |
2.4 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
78,924,000 |
80,286,000 |
1.7 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
53,395,000 |
55,173,000 |
3.3 |
| Total Refunds |
111,709,000 |
111,911,000 |
0.2 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$322.599 billion |
$324.426 billion |
0.6 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,888 |
$2,899 |
0.4 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
89,402,000 |
90,067,000 |
0.7 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$270.250 billion |
$272.980 billion |
1.0 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$3,023 |
$3,031 |
0.3 |
2017 Tax Season (2016 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
136,528,000 |
135,638,000 |
-0.7 |
| Total Processed |
129,456,000 |
128,789,000 |
-0.5 |
| Total e-Filed |
122,546,000 |
122,164,000 |
-0.3 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
70,864,000 |
70,401,000 |
-0.7 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
51,682,000 |
51,763,000 |
0.2 |
| Total Refunds |
97,079,000 |
97,104,000 |
0.0 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$263.197 billion |
$268.296 billion |
1.9 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,711 |
$2,763 |
1.9 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
81,221,000 |
81,646,000 |
0.5 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$234.269 billion |
239.410 billion |
2.2 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,884 |
$2,932 |
1.7 |
2016 Tax Season (2015 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
150,991,000 |
152,544,000 |
1.0 |
| Total Processed |
150,727,000 |
152,250,000 |
1.0 |
| Total e-Filed |
128,784,000 |
131,851,000 |
2.4 |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
78,406,000 |
78,736,000 |
0.4 |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
50,378,000 |
53,115,000 |
5.4 |
| Total Refunds |
109,426,000 |
111,069,000 |
1.5 |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$306.016 billion |
$317.615 billion |
3.8 |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,797 |
$2,860 |
2.3 |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
86,228,000 |
88,416,000 |
2.5 |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$254.944 billion |
$264.822 billion |
3.9 |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,957 |
$2,995 |
1.3 |
2015 Tax Season (2014 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
149,685,000 |
150,927,000 |
0.8% |
| Total Processed |
149,510,000 |
150,694,000 |
0.8% |
| Total e-Filed |
125,821,000 |
128,784,000 |
2.4% |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
77,875,000 |
78,406,000 |
0.7% |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
47,946,000 |
50,378,000 |
5.1% |
| Total Refunds |
109,499,000 |
109,426,000 |
-0.1% |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$305.734 billion |
$306.016 billion |
0.1% |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,792 |
$2,797 |
0.2% |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
83,995,000 |
86,228,000 |
2.7% |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$245.088 billion |
$254.944 billion |
4.0% |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,918 |
$2,957 |
1.3% |
2014 Tax Season (2013 Tax Year) eFile Statistics
| Total Receipts |
148,197,000 |
149,684,000 |
1.0% |
| Total Processed |
147,910,000 |
149,510,000 |
1.1% |
| Total e-Filed |
122,515,000 |
125,821,000 |
2.7% |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
77,268,000 |
77,875,000 |
0.8% |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
45,247,000 |
47,946,000 |
6.0% |
| Total Refunds |
109,563,000 |
109,499,000 |
-0.1% |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$301.836 billion |
$305.734 billion |
1.3% |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,755 |
$2,792 |
1.4% |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
83,836,000 |
83,995,000 |
0.2% |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$245.596 billion |
$245.088 billion |
-0.02% |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,929 |
$2,918 |
-0.4% |
2013 Tax Season (2012 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
148,203,000 |
148,035,000 |
-0.1% |
| Total Processed |
147,697,000 |
147,725,000 |
0.02% |
| Total e-Filed |
119,560,000 |
122,515,000 |
2.5% |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
76,322,000 |
77,268,000 |
1.2% |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
43,238,000 |
45,247,000 |
4.6% |
| Total Refunds |
110,471,000 |
109,563,000 |
-0.8% |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$309.648 billion |
$301.863 billion |
-2.5% |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,803 |
$2,755 |
-1.7% |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
82,809,000 |
83,814,000 |
1.2% |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$247.1269 billion |
$245.464 billion |
-0.7% |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$2,984 |
$2,929 |
-1.9% |
2012 Tax Season (2011 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Total Receipts |
145,320,000 |
148,390,000 |
+2.1% |
| Total Processed |
145,062,000 |
147,891,000 |
+1.9% |
| Total e-Filed |
112,203,000 |
119,589,000 |
+6.6% |
| e-Filed by Tax Professionals |
72,403,000 |
76,019,000 |
5.0% |
| e-Filed by Individuals |
33,998,000 |
38,272,000 |
+12.6% |
| Total Refunds |
101,820,000 |
102,728,000 |
+0.9% |
| Total Amount Refunded |
$293.263 billion |
$288.151 billion |
-1.7% |
| Average Refund Amount |
$2,880 |
$2,805 |
-2.6% |
| Total Direct Deposit Refunds |
72,056,000 |
76,276,000 |
+5.9% |
| Total Refunded Via Direct Deposit |
$226.061 billion |
$232.312 billion |
+2.8% |
| Average Direct Deposit Refund Amount |
$3,137 |
$3,046 |
-2.9% |
2011 Tax Season (2010 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2010 |
2011 |
% Change |
| Total Receipts |
132,050,000 |
133,808,000 |
+1.3% |
| Total Processed |
129,054,000 |
132,530,000 |
+2.7% |
| e-Filing Receipts: |
| Total |
94,604,000 |
106,233,000 |
+12.3% |
| Tax Professionals |
60,607,000 |
67,962,000 |
+12.1% |
| Self-prepared |
39,800,000 |
43,570,000 |
+9.4% |
| Total Refunds: |
| Number |
109,330,000 |
110,471,000 |
+1.0% |
| Amount |
$318.529 Bill. |
$309.648 Bill. |
-2.8% |
| Average refund |
$2,913 |
$2,803 |
-3.8% |
| Direct Deposit Refunds: |
| Number |
79,146,000 |
82,827,000 |
+4.7% |
| Amount |
$246.080 Bill. |
$247.209 Bill. |
+0.5% |
| Average refund |
$3,109 |
$2,985 |
-4.0% |
2010 Tax Season (2009 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2009 |
2010 |
% Change |
| Total Receipts |
143,529,000 |
141,536,000 |
-1.4% |
| Total Processed |
143,079,000 |
141,536,000 |
-1.4% |
| e-Filing Receipts: |
| Total |
95,478,000 |
98,740,000 |
3.4% |
| Tax Professionals |
63,285,000 |
63,893,000 |
1.0% |
| Self-prepared |
32,193,000 |
34,847,000 |
8.2% |
| Total Refunds: |
| Number |
111,163,000 |
108,923,000 |
-2.0% |
| Amount |
$315.290 Bill. |
$326.125 Bill. |
3.4% |
| Average refund |
$2,836 |
$2,994 |
5.6% |
| Direct Deposit Refunds: |
| Number |
72,982,000 |
74,460,000 |
2.0% |
| Amount |
$220.250 Bill. |
$237.444 Bill. |
7.8% |
| Average refund |
$3,018 |
$3,189 |
5.7% |
Cut down on unclaimed checks and get a faster tax refund by using eFile and choosing direct deposit.
TurboTax® is a registered trademark of Intuit, Inc.
H&R Block® is a registered trademark of HRB Innovations, Inc.