Other categories edged closer to the 2023 total. The Internal Revenue Service reported there were 62,761,000 returns filed, 1.1 percent lower than 63,442,000 a year ago.
The IRS received 61,165,000 efiles, off .9 percent from 61,713,000 through March 10, 2023. Those from paid preparers were down 1.9 percent at 29,644,000 through March 8, compared to 29,644,000 a year earlier.
Refunds continued to lag 2023 totals. The IRS has issued 43,020,000 refunds for the season as reported, 12.5-percent lower than 49,174,000 a year ago. However, the average refund rose 5.8 percent to $3,145, from $2,972 for the compared periods.