The gap on efiles also widened a bit, down 1.5 percent to 97,831,000 for this season as reported from 99,290,000 a year ago.
Efiles submitted by pros remained above last year’s totals—but barely—as the 53,165,000 received through April 7 were only .3 percent above 53,018,000 in last year’s corresponding period. Self-prepared efiles of 44,666,000 were 3.5 percent behind 46,272,000 a year earlier.
Refunds also remain behind last year’s totals with 69,095,000 issued this year down 1.3 percent from 70,040,000. The average refund improved slightly to $2,878, off 9.3 percent from $3,175 a year ago, but better than in prior reports.