Income Tax Return, e-File Statistics
eFile, Tax
Statistics
The IRS reported that as of December 2021, approximately 152,300,000 tax returns were e-filed for Tax Year 2020 out of a total of 169,098,000 2020 Returns filed. This is around the same number of 2019 Returns e-filed in 2020 (152,802,000). The amount of e-filed returns increases steadily each year as paper filed returns become less popular among both taxpayers and tax professionals. As such, beginning the 2022 Tax Season for 2021 Returns, around 96% of 2021 Returns have been e-filed, totaling around 70 million e-filed returns in the first few months of the filing season.
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.
eFilers Versus Paper Filers
- So far for 2021 Returns filed and e-filed in 2022, the IRS has issued around 93 million refunds as of April 29, 2022. Around $279 billion has been issued for an average refund amount of $3,102. Around 87 million of these refunds were sent via direct deposit.
- Additionally, of all e-filed returns, roughly 47% of those were self-prepared returns by individual taxpayers.
- United States taxpayers who prepare and e-file their own tax returns continues to grow steadily. In 2021, taxpayers self-prepared and e-filed 67,376,000 tax returns by the end of December 2021.
- In 2020 for Tax Year 2019, 72,220,000 taxpayers prepared and e-filed their federal tax returns themselves.
- Tax Refunds via Direct Bank Deposit: As of December 2021, over 113,283,000 taxpayers received faster federal tax refunds via direct bank deposits into their accounts through electronic transfers out of a total of 129,841,000 refunds issued for 2020 Returns. The average tax refund received by direct deposit for was $2,815. Did you know that, in most cases, a high refund is money you handed over to the IRS during the year that was alright rightfully yours? Increase your paycheck now instead of receiving a high refund a year later.
- In 2020 for 2019 Returns, the IRS issued 102,695,000 refunds via direct deposit for an average refund of $2,622. This was out of 125,851,000 total refunds issued.
- See the 2020 IRS Data Book with statistical information for 2019 Returns.
eFile Tax Return Statistics by Tax Year
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.
2021*
141,272,000
136,484,000
95.3%
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%
*2021 statistics released by the IRS as of April 15, 2022. This page will be updated periodically as the IRS releases data.
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.
2021 Tax Season (2020 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
(Cumulative through December 4, 2020 and December 3, 2021)
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2019 |
2020 |
% Change |
| Total Receipts |
169,153,000 |
169,098,000 |
0.0 |
| Total Processed |
163,217,000 |
168,453000 |
3.2 |
| e-filing Receipts: |
| Total |
152,802,000 |
152,300,000 |
-0.3 |
| Tax Professionals |
80,583,000 |
84,924,000 |
5.4 |
| Self-prepared |
72,220,000 |
67,376,000 |
-6.7 |
| Total Refunds: |
| Number |
125,703,000 |
129,346,000 |
3.3 |
| Amount |
$320.022 Bill. |
$365.499 Bill. |
14.2 |
| Average refund |
$2,546 |
$2,815 |
10.6 |
| Direct Deposit Refunds: |
| Number |
102,623,000 |
113,283,000 |
10.4 |
| Amount |
$268.885 bill. |
$326.184 Bill. |
21.3 |
| Average refund |
$2,620 |
$2,879 |
10 |
2020 Tax Season (2019 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
(Cumulative through December 13, 2019 and December 11, 2020)
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2019 |
2020 |
% Change |
| Total Receipts |
155,660,000 |
169,684,000 |
9.0 |
| Total Processed |
155,429,000 |
163,654,000 |
5.3 |
| e-filing Receipts: |
| Total |
138,217,000 |
152,802,000 |
10.6 |
| Tax Professionals |
80,630,000 |
80,582,000 |
-0.1 |
| Self-prepared |
57,587,000 |
>72,220,000 |
25.4 |
| Total Refunds: |
| Number |
112,254,000 |
125,851,000 |
12.1 |
| Amount |
$322.176 Bill. |
$320.851 Bill. |
-0.4 |
| Average refund |
$2,870 |
$2,549 |
-11.2 |
| Direct Deposit Refunds: |
| Number |
92,021,000 |
102,695,000 |
11.6 |
| Amount |
$274.024 Bill. |
$269.261 Bill. |
-1.7 |
| Average refund |
$2,978 |
$2,622 |
>-12 |
2019 Tax Season (2018 Tax Year) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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) e-File 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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