These states get the highest and lowest tax returns

The deadline for filing federal taxes is just one month away for most consumers, and new analysis shows which states have the highest and lowest returns.

LendingTree researchers analyzed federal individual income tax returns filed from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023, for the tax year 2022 — the latest full-year data available — from the IRS Statistics of Income program.

To estimate the average refund in the U.S. and each state, researchers divided the total amount refunded by the number of people who received refunds. Additionally, LendingTree conducted an online survey of nearly 2,000 U.S. consumers last month.

States with highest, lowest tax returns

By the numbers:

LendingTree’s analysis of IRS data found the average refund for tax year 2022 — the latest available full-year data — was $4,381. That was highest average in the past five years of data.

The highest-earning taxpayers received the largest refunds. On average, Americans with an adjusted gross income of $1 million or more received a refund of $246,696. That’s a dramatic difference from the next income bracket: Those earning at least $500,000 but less than $1 million saw an average refund of $39,519.

For the fifth year in a row, Wyoming residents received the largest average refunds. Wyoming taxpayers who overpaid received an average of $6,367. Florida ($5,934) and the District of Columbia ($5,848) followed.

Meanwhile, West Virginia taxpayers had the lowest average refunds. Those owed refunds received an average of $3,183 — down from $3,251 in the prior tax year. Maine, whose taxpayers had the lowest average refunds four years in a row, was second-lowest at $3,199. New Mexico ($3,394) was third-lowest.

What they're saying:

Matt Schulz — LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst said that the amount is about in line with what he’d expect.

"That creates a real opportunity for people receiving a refund," he said in a statement. "That money can be put toward knocking down high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, investing for retirement or other big financial goals. It gives them more financial wiggle room when many Americans desperately need it."

States with highest average tax refunds

1. Wyoming
2. Florida
3. District of Columbia
4. Connecticut
5. New York
6. Massachusetts
7. Nevada
8. Texas
9. Illinois
10. New Jersey

States with lowest average tax refunds

1. West Virginia
2. Maine
3. New Mexico
4. Oregon
5. Kentucky
6. Iowa
7. Ohio
8. Vermont
9. Wisconsin
10. Minnesota

More than half of parents say they rely on their refund

By the numbers:

Of the 75% of Americans who plan to file a federal tax return, 42% are relying on their refund. That’s a slight increase from 40% last year. Notably, 54% of parents with children younger than 18 are reliant on their refunds.

What they're saying:

Millions of American families have little to no margin for error financially," Schulz continued. "They’re living paycheck to paycheck on a tight budget, and a substantial tax refund can make things significantly easier for them."

Millions of Americans have already received tax refunds

Wider View: Millions of Americans have already received their tax refunds in 2025, according to information shared by the Internal Revenue Service. 

In fact, more than $102.2 billion in direct deposit refunds had been dispersed by the IRS as of Feb. 21, the agency said.

By the numbers:

The IRS said the average refund amount has increased by 7.5% this year, going from $3,213 in 2024 to $3,453 so far in 2025.

RELATED: Here's the average tax refund for 2025 filers so far, according to IRS

The average direct deposit refund was also up by 7.1% from last year – at an average of $3,505. 

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