The number of returns received for the season reported to date, 92,861,000, was 1.4-percent lower than 94,139,000 for last year’s corresponding period. The pace resembles prior years in which year-to-year growth for total returns was registered at the end of the season.
Self-prepared efiles continued to lead growth. There were 39,858,000 to date, an increase of 2.3 percent from 38,954,000. The number of returns efiled by professionals, 47,430,000, was 2 percent down from 48,374,000.
There were 71,755,000 returns issued through March 29, down 2.2 percent from 73,396,000 a year. The average refund remained off .7 percent at $2,873 for the year reported to date. compared to $2,893 a year ago. The average has been trending down over the last few weeks.