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Record Tax Refunds Rise, But Many Americans Feel Harmed

4/15/2026

33 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The White House says this is the largest refund season in U.S. history, and average refunds rose about $350 to $3,462.
In Birmingham, Alabama, tax season prompts mixed feelings as a survey shows 62% of Americans feel tax changes harmed them or had no effect.
Wealthier taxpayers reportedly benefit due to increased state and local tax deductions, while rising gas prices from the war with Iran erode the refunds’ impact.

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Story summary

The White House says this is the largest refund season in U.S. history, and average refunds rose about $350 to $3,462.
In Birmingham, Alabama, tax season prompts mixed feelings as a survey shows 62% of Americans feel tax changes harmed them or had no effect.
Wealthier taxpayers reportedly benefit due to increased state and local tax deductions, while rising gas prices from the war with Iran erode the refunds’ impact.