How to get the biggest tax refund, according to experts

The average tax refund in 2025 was $3,167, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Though it would be nice for that number to climb higher with a snap of the fingers, it’s not that easy, said certified public accountant Riley Adams, a partner at California-based accounting firm Daniel M. Kavanaugh. “To be frank, tax season can be stressful, and people often neglect to include every applicable tax document, deduction, or tax position,” Adams said. “This can be purely accidental, even tax pros do it.”