The latest report for filing season statistics from the Internal Revenue Service shows a 4.3-percent decline in tax returns through April 14. But since the year-ago period for comparison was the season through April 15, the numbers may be distorted by the timing.
The most recent numbers for the 2023 season showed 117,321,000 returns filed, down from 122,543,000 a year ago.
For the first time, reports show efiles from paid preparers falling behind 2022 levels. There were 62,174,000 of those through April 14, a drop of 2.4 percent from 63,692,000. Self-submitted efiles declined to 51,027,000, off 5.8 percent from 54,167,000.
The number of refunds issued fell 3 percent to 75,824,000 from 78,201,000. The average refund dropped 8.8 percent to $2,902 from $3,181.
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
