Income Tax Return, efile Statistics
eFile, Tax
Statistics
The IRS has reported that as of October 2020, approximately 151,812,000 tax returns had been efiled for Tax Year 2019. This is a 10.1% increase compared to the number of returns efiled for Tax Year 2018 at the same time last year (approximately 137,866,000). The tread among taxpayers to efile is shown in the charts below.
eFilers Versus Paper Filers
- United States taxpayers who prepare and efile their own tax returns continues to grow steadily. In 2020 (for Tax Year 2019), over 71,761,000 taxpayers have prepared and efiled their federal tax returns themselves as of October 2020.
- Tax Refunds via Direct Bank Deposit: As of October 2020, over 101,298,000 taxpayers have received faster federal tax refunds via direct bank deposits into bank accounts through electronic transfers. The average tax refund received by direct deposit is $2,577.
- A wide range of statistical tax return data for 2019.
eFile Tax Return Statistics (by Tax Year)
TY Filed |
Total Returns Filed |
Number of Returns efiled |
Percent of Total Returns efiled |
2019*** |
165,624,000 |
151,812,000 |
91.66% |
2018** |
155,798,000 |
138,217,000 |
88.72% |
2017* |
154,444,000 |
135,459,000 |
87.71% |
2016 |
152,544,000 |
131,851,000 |
86.43% |
2015 |
150,927,000 |
128,784,000 |
85.33% |
2014 |
149,684,000 |
125,821,000 |
86.02% |
2013 |
148,197,000 |
114,422,000 |
77.21% |
2012 |
135,473,000 |
112,089,000 |
82.74% |
2011 |
145,320,000 |
112,203,000 |
77.21% |
2010 |
141,536,000 |
98,740,000 |
69.76% |
2009 |
141,376,000 |
94,980,000 |
67.18% |
2008 |
153,650,000 |
89,853,000 |
58.48% |
2007 |
140,188,000 |
79,979,000 |
57.05% |
2006 |
136,071,000 |
73,255,000 |
53.84% |
2005 |
133,933,000 |
68,476,000 |
51.13% |
2004 |
132,200,000 |
61,507,000 |
46.53% |
2003 |
131,557,000 |
52,944,000 |
40.24% |
2002 |
131,728,000 |
46,892,000 |
35.60% |
2001 |
130,965,000 |
40,244,000 |
30.73% |
***As of October 16, 2020 - 2019 Tax Year Returns filed in 2020
**As of December 27, 2019 - 2018 Tax Year Returns filed in 2019
*As of November 23, 2018 - 2017 Tax Year Returns filed in 2018
2020 Tax Season (2019 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
(Cumulative through October 18, 2019 and October 16, 2020)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2019 |
2020 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
154,297,000 |
165,624,000 |
7.3 |
Total Processed |
153,721,000 |
159,376,000 |
3.7 |
e-filing Receipts: |
Total |
137,866,000 |
151,812,000 |
10.1 |
Tax Professionals |
80,294,000 |
80,051,000 |
-0.3 |
Self-prepared |
57,572,000 |
71,761,000 |
24.6 |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
110,582,000 |
123,416,000 |
11.6 |
Amount |
$307.563 Bill. |
$305.555 Bill. |
-0.7 |
Average refund |
$2,781 |
$2,476 |
-11.0 |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
91,544,000 |
101,298,000 |
10.7 |
Amount |
$268.662 Bill. |
$261.015 Bill. |
-2.8 |
Average refund |
$2,935 |
$2,577 |
-12.2 |
2019 Tax Season (2018 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2019)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2018 |
2019 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
153,383,000 |
154,297,000 |
0.6 |
Total Processed |
152,827,000 |
153,721,000 |
0.6 |
e-filing Receipts: |
Total |
135,459,000 |
138,217,000 |
2.0 |
Tax Professionals |
80,286,000 |
80,630,000 |
0.4 |
Self-prepared |
55,173,000 |
57,587,000 |
4.4 |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
112,154,000 |
111,811,000 |
-0.03 |
Amount |
$326.333 Bill. |
$320.805 Bill. |
-1.7 |
Average refund |
$2,910 |
$2,869 |
-1.4 |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
90,164,000 |
92,059,000 |
2.1 |
Amount |
$273.697 Bill. |
$274.253 Bill. |
0.2 |
Average refund |
$3,036 |
$2,979 |
-1.9 |
2018 Tax Season (2017 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through November 24, 2017, and November 23, 2018)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2017 |
2018 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
151,825,000 |
154,444,000 |
1.7 |
Total Processed |
151,446,000 |
154,058,000 |
1.7 |
e-filing Receipts: |
Total |
132,319,000 |
135,459,000 |
2.4 |
Tax Professionals |
78,924,000 |
80,286,000 |
1.7 |
Self-prepared |
53,395,000 |
55,173,000 |
3.3 |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
111,709,000 |
111,911,000 |
0.2 |
Amount |
$322.599 Bill. |
$324.426 Bill. |
0.6 |
Average refund |
$2,888 |
$2,899 |
0.4 |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
89,402,000 |
90,067,000 |
0.7 |
Amount |
$270.250 Bill. |
$272.980 Bill. |
1.0 |
Average refund |
$3,023 |
$3,031 |
0.3 |
2017 Tax Season (2016 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through April 22, 2016, and April 21, 2017)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2016 |
2017 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
136,528,000 |
135,638,000 |
-0.7 |
Total Processed |
129,456,000 |
128,789,000 |
-0.5 |
e-filing Receipts: |
Total |
122,546,000 |
122,164,000 |
-0.3 |
Tax Professionals |
70,864,000 |
70,401,000 |
-0.7 |
Self-prepared |
51,682,000 |
51,763,000 |
0.2 |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
97,079,000 |
97,104,000 |
0.0 |
Amount |
$263.197 Bill. |
$268.296 Bill. |
1.9 |
Average refund |
$2,711 |
$2,763 |
1.9 |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
81,221,000 |
81,646,000 |
0.5 |
Amount |
$234.269 Bill. |
239.410 Bill. |
2.2 |
Average refund |
$2,884 |
$2,932 |
1.7 |
2016 Tax Season (2015 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through December 25, 2015 and December 30, 2016)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2015 |
2016 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
150,991,000 |
152,544,000 |
1.0 |
Total Processed |
150,727,000 |
152,250,000 |
1.0 |
e-filing Receipts: |
Total |
128,784,000 |
131,851,000 |
2.4 |
Tax Professionals |
78,406,000 |
78,736,000 |
0.4 |
Self-prepared |
50,378,000 |
53,115,000 |
5.4 |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
109,426,000 |
111,069,000 |
1.5 |
Amount |
$306.016 Bill. |
$317.615 Bill. |
3.8 |
Average refund |
$2,797 |
$2,860 |
2.3 |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
86,228,000 |
88,416,000 |
2.5 |
Amount |
$254.944 Bill. |
$264.822 Bill. |
3.9 |
Average refund |
$2,957 |
$2,995 |
1.3 |
2015 Tax Season (2014 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through December 26, 2014, and December 25, 2015)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2014 |
2015 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
149,685,000 |
150,927,000 |
0.8% |
Total Processed |
149,510,000 |
150,694,000 |
0.8% |
e-Filing Receipts: |
Total |
125,821,000 |
128,784,000 |
2.4% |
Tax Professionals |
77,875,000 |
78,406,000 |
0.7% |
Self-prepared |
47,946,000 |
50,378,000 |
5.1% |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
109,499,000 |
109,426,000 |
-0.1% |
Amount |
$305.734 Bill. |
$306.016 Bill. |
0.1% |
Average refund |
$2,792 |
$2,797 |
0.2% |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
83,995,000 |
86,228,000 |
2.7% |
Amount |
$245.088 Bill. |
$254.944 Bill. |
4.0% |
Average refund |
$2,918 |
$2,957 |
1.3% |
2014 Tax Season (2013 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through Dec. 27, 2013, and Dec. 26, 2014)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2013 |
2014 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
148,197,000 |
149,684,000 |
1.0% |
Total Processed |
147,910,000 |
149,510,000 |
1.1% |
e-Filing Receipts: |
Total |
122,515,000 |
125,821,000 |
2.7% |
Tax Professionals |
77,268,000 |
77,875,000 |
0.8% |
Self-prepared |
45,247,000 |
47,946,000 |
6.0% |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
109,563,000 |
109,499,000 |
-0.1% |
Amount |
$301.836 Bill. |
$305.734 Bill. |
1.3% |
Average refund |
$2,755 |
$2,792 |
1.4% |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
83,836,000 |
83,995,000 |
0.2% |
Amount |
$245.596 Bill. |
$245.088 Bill. |
-0.02% |
Average refund |
$2,929 |
$2,918 |
-0.4% |
2013 Tax Season (2012 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through Dec. 28, 2012, and Dec. 27, 2013)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2012 |
2013 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
148,203,000 |
148,035,000 |
-0.1% |
Total Processed |
147,697,000 |
147,725,000 |
0.02% |
e-Filing Receipts: |
Total |
119,560,000 |
122,515,000 |
2.5% |
Tax Professionals |
76,322,000 |
77,268,000 |
1.2% |
Self-prepared |
43,238,000 |
45,247,000 |
4.6% |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
110,471,000 |
109,563,000 |
-0.8% |
Amount |
$309.648 Bill. |
$301.863 Bill. |
-2.5% |
Average refund |
$2,803 |
$2,755 |
-1.7% |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
82,809,000 |
83,814,000 |
1.2% |
Amount |
$247.1269 Bill. |
$245.464 Bill. |
-0.7% |
Average refund |
$2,984 |
$2,929 |
-1.9% |
2012 Tax Season (2011 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through Dec. 30, 2011, and Dec. 03, 2012)
Individual Income Tax Returns |
2011 |
2012 |
% Change |
Total Receipts |
145,320,000 |
148,390,000 |
+2.1% |
Total Processed |
145,062,000 |
147,891,000 |
+1.9% |
e-Filing Receipts: |
Total |
112,203,000 |
119,589,000 |
+6.6% |
Tax Professionals |
72,403,000 |
76,019,000 |
5.0% |
Self-prepared |
33,998,000 |
38,272,000 |
+12.6% |
Total Refunds: |
Number |
101,820,000 |
102,728,000 |
+0.9% |
Amount |
$293.263 Bill. |
$288.151 Bill. |
-1.7% |
Average refund |
$2,880 |
$2,805 |
-2.6% |
Direct Deposit Refunds: |
Number |
72,056,000 |
76,276,000 |
+5.9% |
Amount |
$226.061 Bill. |
$232.312 Bill. |
+2.8% |
Average refund |
$3,137 |
$3,046 |
-2.9% |
2011 Tax Season (2010 Tax Year) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through Jun. 06, 2010, and Jun. 03, 2011)
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) efile Statistics
(Cumulative through Nov. 06, 2009, and Nov. 05, 2010)
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% |
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