The average tax refund each year, and how tax refunds work
The average tax refund in 2025 was $3,167, but refunds are expected to jump higher in 2026. Here’s what you need to know.
3 min read
Jan 29, 2026
Andrea Coombes, CFP®
Former Editor
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25Years of experience
CREDENTIALS
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
EXPERTISE
- Investing
- Real estate
- Personal finance
- Tax planning and strategy
- Saving for retirement
EDUCATION
- University of California, Berkeley; B.A. in Sociology
- University of California, Berkeley; Master’s in Journalism
- University of California, Berkeley, Extension; Certificate in Personal Financial Planning
Andrea Coombes, a former editor at Bankrate, translates complex personal finance topics into understandable language that helps people live their best financial lives. She’s a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and over the past 25 years has worked as a financial coach, personal finance writer and editor, and volunteer tax preparer.
Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, MarketWatch and many newspapers nationwide. She's been interviewed on local and national TV and radio, including NPR's All Things Considered, CBS News, NASDAQ and Marketplace.
Andrea has moderated panels on how to invest for retirement, how to use 529 college savings plans and more, and she's an experienced personal-finance speaker who has presented to groups on a variety of topics such as how to budget, improve credit, manage debt, and build savings. She's also worked as a personal financial coach and certified consumer credit counselor, helping people reach their goals. For two tax seasons, she worked as a volunteer tax preparer.
Andrea beyond Bankrate
A lot of people are nervous about managing their money. I'm here to say: It's not rocket science. There are small steps each of us can take to slowly start moving towards our long-term financial goals. We can do this, people.
— Andrea Coombes, CFP®
Andrea's latest articles
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LLCs and taxes: Here’s how to file taxes for an LLC
If your business is an LLC, you’ll need to pick the tax-filing status that suits your business best.
5 min read Jun 16, 2025 -
Sales tax deduction: How it works, who is eligible and how to claim it
Here’s how the sales tax deduction works, what purchases are eligible and how to claim it.
5 min read Jun 13, 2025 -
Gross vs. net income: What you need to know to manage your finances
Knowing the difference between gross and net income can help you better manage your financial situation.
4 min read Jun 06, 2025 -
Taxpayer identification number (TIN): What it is and how to find it
A TIN is a nine-digit number used to identify taxpayers. If you need to file taxes, you’ll need a TIN.
2 min read Jun 06, 2025 -
What is FICA tax? Here’s what you need to know about payroll taxes
FICA tax, also known as payroll tax, is what almost all workers have to pay for Social Security and Medicare.
4 min read Jun 05, 2025 -
Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI): What it is, why it matters and how to calculate it
Modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI, is a crucial tax term to know if you want to qualify for valuable tax benefits.
5 min read May 24, 2025 -
Trump tariffs latest updates: Trump calls for new round of tariffs on Apple, European Union
Trump has launched an all-out trade war. Here’s the latest on what’s happening with tariffs — and what it all means for your wallet.
19 min read May 23, 2025 -
IRS Direct File will be cancelled if Republican tax bill becomes law
The popular IRS Direct File program, which lets you prepare and file your return for free, will be cancelled if the Republican tax bill becomes law.
5 min read May 22, 2025
