IRS Shares Some Stats About 2010 Filing Season

The IRS posted some interesting numbers via a press release that came out earlier today.

According to the IRS’ release, electronically filed tax returns are on track with last year and overall refunds are running nearly 10 percent higher so far in 2010.

The stats issued today cover the period through March 12. They show that while the overall number of tax returns filed this year is down slightly, the percentage of returns using e-file remains strong.

Check out these stats from the ‘Service:

• More than 82 percent of the 69 million returns received this year have come in via e-file.
• Home usage of e-file is up almost 7 percent compared to this time last year.
• The average federal refund totaled $3,036, an increase of $266 compared with the same period a year ago.

The refund increase follows a number of federal tax incentives enacted last year as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, such as the homebuyer credit and the American Opportunity Credit.

“There are several new credits and deductions this year, so we encourage taxpayers to see if they qualify when they fill out their tax return,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “To get their refunds quicker, the IRS reminds taxpayers that the fastest, easiest way is to e-file and use direct deposit.”