The number of tax returns received dipped again, a trend that hasn’t changed since the season opened on January 27, 2025, but the gap is narrowing.

The IRS is issuing tax refunds of up to $2,600 this week to eligible citizens across the United States. The timing of your refund depends on when you filed your tax return.

The deadline to file federal income tax returns and extensions to the Internal Revenue Service is Tuesday for most of the country. Why it matters: Despite layoffs and DOGE cuts, the IRS is processing tax returns and refunds at a similar pace to last year.