That compared to returns being 11.4 percent behind in the prior week’s statistical report. There were 34,743,000 returns received for the year-to-date, compared to 36,859,000 in last year’s corresponding period.

Total efiles of 34,071,000 through February 15 were down 5.6 from 6,079,000 the prior year. That included 14,138,000 efiles from tax pros, off 8.1 percent from 15,380,000 and 19,933,000 self-prepared efiles, 3.7 percent lower than 20,698,000 a year ago.

In the prior week’s statistical report, efiles from professionals were 11.43-percent below a year earlier while DIY efiles lagged 6.1 percent behind the prior year.

The number of refunds issued were also catching up with the total issued to date 24.8 percent lower than for the season through Feb. 16, 2023. That compares to being 43.9-percent behind in the report issued a week earlier. The IRS has issued 20,883,000 refunds through February 15, compared to 27,781,00 in last year’s corresponding period.

For the first time, this season, average refunds were higher than a year ago. To date, refunds averaged $3,207, an increase of 2.1 percent over $3,140 a year ago.

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