The latest filing information from the IRS database contains less than a week’s worth of activity so far this tax season, as the federal agency began to accept returns on Jan. 27.

But the year-over-year comparisons show upward movement for the total number of refunds and the average amount the filer received.

According to the database, 3,231,000 individual filers received a refund through Jan. 31. That’s up 23.5% year-over-year.

And the IRS indicated the average refund amount so far was $1,928, which is 38.2% higher than the start of last year’s tax season.

Furthermore, individuals who used direct deposit got an average refund of $2,069. That’s 34.1% above the year-ago reading.

While showing negative on a year-over-year comparison, another part of the IRS data set showed potentially how much tax season hay there is left to harvest.

The IRS said it had received 13,177,000 returns as of the close of January, which is off by 14.0% from a year ago. And the agency had processed 11,727,000 returns; a number 15.8% less than last year.

When the filing season started, Tax Max reiterated a recommendation for dealerships.

“Be sure to ask every customer — whether on the phone, in person, or online — if they are ready to file their tax return and apply for the early tax refund advance,” Tax Max said.

“The tax refund advance allows a customer to apply for an advance on their refund to help use as a down payment. If approved for the advance, the customer may not have to wait for the IRS,” Tax Max went on to say.

Tax Max CEO and president Bill Neylan shared more suggestions during a Speed Session at Used Car Week 2024 in Scottsdale, Ariz. That conversation is part an episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast available below.