The IRS had received 28,826,000 returns for the season as reported to date. That is 11.4 percent behind the 25,553,000 corresponding period a year earlier Processing of returns was much closer to the year ago totals with 25,443,000 processed for tax year 2023, down 4.4 percent from 26,622,000.

With the season in its earlier stages, self-prepared efiles were not as far behind last year’s filing season as were those efiled by paid professionals.

There were 15,570,000 DIY efiles through February 9, 6.1 percent below 16,575,000 a year ago. Professionals submitted 25,553,000 efiles to date, 11.4 percent down from 28,826,000.

Refunds for this season were substantially behind last year’s total. The IRS issued 7,483,000 for the season as reported, down 43.9 percent from13,341,000 in last year’s corresponding period. The average refund this year is $1,741, a 12.8 percent drop from $1,997.

Bob Scott

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Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards.  Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He  has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that.  A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind