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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Low-cost index funds: A beginner’s guide
Here’s everything you need to know about low-cost index funds, including how they work and how to buy them.
8 min read Feb 21, 2026 -
Saving vs. investing: How are they different and which is better?
Explore the key differences between saving and investing.
5 min read Feb 20, 2026 -
6 best investing and trading apps for beginners
Ready to start investing? These are the best investing apps for beginners.
3 min read Feb 20, 2026 -
6 best investments for beginners
Here are some helpful tips on where to consider putting your money if you’re just starting out.
6 min read Jan 28, 2026 -
Do I have to file taxes? Here’s how to figure out if you should file a tax return
If your income hits a specific level, you need to file a tax return. But it may make sense to file even if you’re not required to, so you can claim your tax refund.
7 min read Jan 24, 2026 -
Tax credits are a valuable tool to trim your tax bill — here’s how they work
Tax credits can help you save big on your taxes. Here’s how they work and how to qualify.
6 min read Jan 23, 2026 -
Child tax credit: Who’s eligible, how to claim it and more
The child tax credit can cut your tax bill by $2,200 per child, and up to $1,700 may be refundable to you. Here’s who qualifies for this valuable tax credit.
4 min read Jan 23, 2026 -
How to buy an S&P 500 index fund: Key things to know
S&P 500 index funds are incredibly popular with investors, and for good reason.
8 min read Jan 23, 2026
