Is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Actually Boosting 2026 Tax Refunds?

We are a few weeks into the 2026 tax filing season, and the numbers coming out of the IRS are painting an interesting picture. Here at MJ Ahmed CPA PLLC, we have been closely monitoring the initial data to see if the legislative promises are translating into real dollars for our clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Currently, the average refund sits at $2,476. That is a solid 14.2% jump from the same time in 2025 (where the average was $2,169), putting about $300 more in taxpayers' pockets. However, it is worth noting that this falls short of the $1,000 increase many experts and policymakers had projected. It is important to remember that we are still in the early innings. As more complex returns are processed, these averages often shift. The upward trend, however, suggests that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is beginning to make its mark.

Green field representing financial growth

The Key OBBBA Provisions Driving Refunds

With over 25 years of experience helping clients across the U.S. and internationally, MJ has seen plenty of tax reforms, but the OBBBA includes specific line items designed to directly reduce taxable income for working families and individuals. Here are the primary drivers we are seeing on returns right now:

  • Overtime Premium Pay Deduction: This effectively targets the "half" of your time-and-a-half pay. If you are putting in the extra hours, the FLSA-mandated premium is now deductible—up to $12,500 for singles and $25,000 for married joint filers.

  • The Tips Tax Deduction: For service industry professionals in designated occupations, up to $25,000 of qualified tips can be deducted. Note that both this and the overtime deduction have income caps; they start phasing out at a Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers) and disappear entirely at $275,000 ($550,000 joint).

  • Auto Loan Interest Deduction: If you bought a new, U.S.-assembled vehicle for personal use after 2024, you might be able to deduct up to $10,000 of the loan interest. This applies whether you itemize or take the standard deduction. The phase-out begins at $100,000 MAGI ($200,000 for couples).

  • Enhanced Standard & Senior Deductions: The standard deduction has been raised to $31,500 for married couples and $15,750 for singles. Furthermore, there is a new $6,000 "Senior Bonus" for those 65+, which phases out starting at $75,000 ($150,000 for couples).

  • Expanded Child Tax Credit: The credit is now $2,200 per child. This benefit is available fully to married couples earning up to $400,000 and single filers up to $200,000.

  • Increased SALT Limit: This is significant for our clients with higher property tax burdens. The State and Local Tax (SALT) cap has moved from $10,000 to $40,000. However, for earners with a MAGI over $500,000, this cap begins to shrink back down.

Veterinarian working, representing skilled professionals

Why Else Are Refunds Up?

Beyond the new law, a few structural issues are inflating refund checks:

  • Withholding Mismatches: Many of these tax cuts passed mid-year, and the IRS withholding tables didn't catch up in time. This means many of you effectively overpaid out of your paychecks throughout 2025, resulting in a larger refund now.

  • Inflation Adjustments: Brackets were widened to account for the cost of living, preventing "bracket creep" where a raise barely covers inflation but bumps you into a higher tax tier.

  • Refundable Adoption Credit: Up to $5,000 of the Adoption Tax Credit is now refundable, meaning you get the cash even if your tax liability hits zero.

Navigating IRS Challenges

While the refund news is generally positive, the administrative side is rocky. The IRS has lost a quarter of its workforce since January 2025 and is battling a backlog. We are seeing a slight dip in processing speeds (down about 3.1%).

If you are hesitant to file because you are unsure how these new OBBBA rules apply to your specific situation, do not worry. MJ Ahmed CPA PLLC is committed to providing top-tier tax services to ensuring you don't leave money on the table. We understand the nuance of these phase-outs and deductions and will ensure your return is accurate and optimized.

Ready to file with confidence? Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .