The number of tax refunds is down 3.3 percent, while the number of people owing the government is rising. This trend could be due to changes in how people work and how taxes are withheld from paychecks. The drop in refunds could have consequences for tax compliance and the IRS's ability to collect taxes owed.
Key Points
Number of tax refunds down 3.3 percent
Potential reasons include changes in work patterns and tax withholding methods
Refund amounts holding steady
New tax withholding system may be more accurate but confusing for taxpayers
Pros
Refund dollar amounts are holding steady
The new tax withholding system aims for accuracy
Cons
Drop in refunds may impact tax compliance
Rising number of people owing taxes could stress the IRS