Image source: Getty Images. Tax refund defined ... Tax refunds can be large sums of money, in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, even more for some wealthy filers.

Your tax refund isn't free money — it's your own cash returning to you. Learn how to leverage it for long-term financial security instead of short-term spending.

By filing your tax return electronically with the IRS, you'll get your refund within 21 days on average. ... including your paper tax refund check. Jeremy Poland/Getty Images.

The average refund check in 2025 stood at $2,169 as of Feb. 14, about 32% below the average $3,207 refund issued at the same time last year, the IRS said in its most recent tax update.

Olivia Peluso is an experienced journalist with over 1,500 published stories across personal finance, economics, and public policy. Pekic / Getty Images Tax refunds aren't free money. They're ...

How to qualify. To qualify for the checks, residents must have filed a New York State income tax return for the 2023 tax year and have a state adjusted gross income (AGI) of $150,000 or less for ...

“42 dollar tax refund,” @elfeto22 tweeted on X, accompanied by a zany face emoji. “drinks on me (about 4 drinks total we may have to share)” “I am also so excited to receive my net tax ...

A new report shows tax refunds are larger in 2025—but fewer people are receiving them. Geography, income, and tax policy all play a role in how much money Americans get back from the IRS.

The average tax refund to date this year is $3,116, about 3.5% more than the $3,011 average this time in 2024. For taxpayers who set up direct deposit, the average refund is $3,186, up from $3088 ...

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The quickest and easiest way to receive your 2025 tax return is filing online and choosing direct deposit. By filing your tax return electronically with the IRS, you'll get your refund within 21 ...