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 2023 Returns. The average tax refund received by direct deposit for was $2,960 compared to an average refund for all types of $2,869.
- 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 2023 Returns are being updated as the IRS provides them.
2023
144,018,000
137,394,000
95.4%
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.
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
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2022 |
2023 |
% Change |
| Total Receipts |
165,774,000 |
162,037,000 |
-2.3 |
| Total Processed |
168,855,000 |
162,952,000 |
-3.5 |
| e-filing Receipts: |
| Total |
152,089,000 |
150,141,000 |
-1.3 |
| Tax Professionals |
85,140,000 |
85,049,000 |
-0.1 |
| Self-prepared |
66,949,000 |
65,092,000 |
-2.8 |
| Total Refunds: |
| Number |
110,567,000 |
105,734,000 |
-4.4 |
| Amount |
$359.523 Bill. |
$334.861 Bill. |
-6.9 |
| Average refund |
$3,252 |
$3,167 |
-2.6 |
| Direct Deposit Refunds: |
| Number |
100,758,000 |
96,592,000 |
-4.1 |
| Amount |
$331.837 Bill. |
$303.759 Bill. |
-8.5 |
| Average refund |
$3,293 |
$3,145 |
-4.5 |
2022 Tax Season (2021 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2021 |
2022 |
% Change |
| Total Receipts |
169,656,000 |
165,774,000 |
-2.3 |
| Total Processed |
168,921,000 |
168,855,000 |
0 |
| e-filing Receipts: |
| Total |
152,300,000 |
152,089,000 |
-0.1 |
| Tax Professionals |
804,924,000 |
85,140,000 |
0.3 |
| Self-prepared |
67,376,000 |
66,949,000 |
-0.6 |
| Total Refunds: |
| Number |
129,983,000 |
110,567,000 |
-14.9 |
| Amount |
$366.074 Bill. |
$359.523 Bill. |
-1.8 |
| Average refund |
$2,816 |
$3,252 |
15.5 |
| Direct Deposit Refunds: |
| Number |
113,564,000 |
100,758,000 |
-11.3 |
| Amount |
$327.263bill. |
$331.837 Bill. |
1.4 |
| Average refund |
$2,882 |
$3,293 |
14.3 |
2021 Tax Season (2020 Tax Year) e-File Statistics
| Individual Income Tax Returns |
2020 |
2021 |
% 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 |
129,841,000 |
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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% |
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