Information from the IRS website shows that in 2004 101,499,000 refunds were sent out which was 76.8% and the average return was $2,126.00. In 2005, there were 100,276,000 refunds or 74.9% and the average refund was $2171.00.

April 11, 2006 The evidence is mounting. As of last week, the IRS had processed 75 million 2005 tax returns. And a whopping 90% of them called for refunds. Already, the government has sent more than $155 billion to taxpayers. The average refund: $2,314. http://www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/features/archives/2006/04/withholding.html In 2004 41% of all Americans say they will get or have received a tax refund this year. Among those 35 to 44, that number is 54%. http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/G~1015721~LDS/Many+Unprotected+from+Fraudulent+Tax+Preparers.html In 2001 - 70% got refunds. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/010423/refund.htm March 28, 2006 Taxpayers overpaid their federal income taxes by a record 29% in both 2003 and 2004, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Internal Revenue Service data. That has pushed refunds above $200 billion a year. Final figures aren't in for the 2005 tax year, but the average refund so far is $2,423, up 4% from last year. The fatter refunds are the result of taxpayers withholding nearly twice the traditional safety margin from their paychecks to avoid a year-end tax bill. The extra withholding gives the government an interest-free loan worth more than $10 billion a year, equal to about $100 per tax return. "It's crazy to lend your money to the government interest-free and then pay triple-digit interest for a refund anticipation loan," http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2006-03-20-tax-refunds_x.htm