The number of returns processed for the reporting date - 48.2 million - represents an increase of 12.8 percent from 42.8 million in last year's corresponding period. The amount refunded through February 15 hit $125.8 billion, an increase of 10.6 percent from $113.7 billion for last year's tax season through Feb. 22, 2014.

The processed totals continue to reflect the strength of the self-prepared return market. There were just under $22 million self-prepared returns for the current year, a 6.9-percent rise from $20.5 a year ago. The number prepared by tax professionals continued to be down from 2013 totals, although that amount has steady decreased over three IRS tax season reports. Paid professionals prepared 24.7 million, a decline of 3.6 percent from 25.6 million in 2013's similar period.