IRS says Americans are getting less in tax refunds this year. What you can expect in KS

The April 18 deadline to file your taxes is coming up in just a little more than a month, and you might be wondering what to expect when you see your refund, if you get one.

Here’s what to know about tax refunds in the state of Kansas and when to expect yours.

Data from the Internal Revenue Service compares filing information from February 2022 and February 2023. According to the IRS, the average amount Americans are seeing in their refunds has gone down about 11% — from $2,201 to $1,963.

When should I expect to get my refund?

The IRS processes most federal refunds in 21 days, according to its website. If you filed your taxes on paper, it could take longer. The IRS has an online tool where you can check to see the status of your refund and when you can expect to see it in your bank account.

The Kansas Department of Revenue, however, sees state refunds through faster, with about seven days from the time you filed to the time your refund will show. It can take two weeks to get your refund if you filed via paper, but currently 95% of refunds are paid within two weeks, according to the department.

The Kansas department’s website has a tool where you can enter your Social Security number and your exact refund amount to see when you can expect it.

The average state refund in Kansas is $492. About 67% of Kansans will receive a tax refund, according to the state.

How do refunds compare to last year in the U.S.?

There has been a 13.5% jump in returns received from last February to this February, according to the IRS. Last year, about 16 million returns were received in the U.S. that month. This February, almost 19 million were received.

The number of refunds given saw a large increase of 84.7%, going from 4.33 million last year to nearly 8 million this year.

The amount of tax refunds given via direct deposit increased by 55.6%, from 4,464,000 last year to nearly 7 million this year.

Tax resources in Wichita

If you need help filing your taxes, there are several resources available in and around the city. Several programs are offering free filing help to qualifying individuals, including those who make less than a certain amount and older Kansans.

You can also visit the the IRS’ online tool, where you can find online free-file options.