Taxpayers Are Headed for Larger Refunds. Washington Should Not Get in the Way.

Families are stretched thin. Every trip to the grocery store or gas station reminds them that the cost of living climbed faster than their paychecks. So here is one piece of good news that Congress should not ignore: Tax refunds are on track to rise in 2026.

A new study from Piper Sandler, using data from the Joint Committee on Taxation, shows what is coming. For the 2026 tax filing season, taxpayers are expected to take home an additional $91 billion in refunds. Workers will also keep another $30 billion in their paychecks because of reduced withholdings. That is real money that families can use for bills, groceries, or savings.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich highlighted this study on X and brought new attention to its findings.

This is a reminder that tax policy is not an abstract debate. It affects what people can afford. When the government takes less out of every paycheck, families breathe easier. When refunds are larger, budgets stretch a little further.

Congress should learn from this. Families need relief that is simple, predictable, and permanent. They should not have to wait until filing season to learn whether Washington changed the rules again. Policymakers ought to focus on keeping taxes low and protecting the gains that workers are set to receive.

Bigger refunds are helpful. More take home pay is even better. The next step is making sure these improvements stick, so families can count on lower taxes year after year.