How much Pennsylvanians can expect to get in federal tax refunds

By the numbers: More than 70% of Pennsylvanians who filed tax returns in tax year 2022, the latest data available, received a refund, per IRS data.

• And the average federal tax refund in the Commonwealth was $3,011 — 35th highest in the country.
• That was lower than the U.S. average of nearly $3,300 and well below the average in Florida, which had the nation's highest at about $3,900.
• But it was better than what people got in Maine that year: around $2,700.

How it works: That's among filers who were owed a refund on their federal taxes and chose not to apply that refund to their next year's taxes.

• Differences among states are tied to residents' income levels, withholding selections and other variables.
• Pandemic-era job losses, stimulus checks and tax breaks also had an effect in the past few years.

Yes, but: While many people await their tax refunds as a kind of bonus, it's really just money you loaned to the government at 0% interest.

• Some personal finance pros encourage folks to set up their paycheck withholdings to get the smallest possible refund.
• Any difference can be saved or invested elsewhere for better potential returns.