How big of a tax refund will I get in California? See average payments by county
Time is running out to file your taxes before the deadline.
Individual tax returns and payment of any taxes owed will soon be due to the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board.
Millions of Californians could be eligible for thousands of dollars in federal tax refunds after filing.
About three-quarters of all who file taxes receive refunds, with payments averaging nearly $3,300 per year, according to Upgraded Points’ analysis of IRS data.
“For many, the federal tax refund represents an important financial boost — one that can help cover expenses, reduce debt, or increase savings,” the travel guide website said.
Refunds tend to fluctuate based on income, though high-income taxpayers are the least likely to get a refund, Upgraded Points said.
Your tax refund can also vary based on your geographic location in the United States.
According to the travel website, average tax refunds peak in states in the South and West, including Florida, Texas, Wyoming and Nevada.
Here’s where California stands and which counties in the Golden State could get the most money back from the IRS:
What is the deadline to file my 2024 tax return?
In California, the deadline to file a state or federal income tax return for 2024 is Tuesday, April 15.
You can request a six-month extension to file your return if you need extra time.
However, you must pay any tax money owed by Tax Day.
How soon will I get my tax refund?
You can expect the IRS to process and return your tax refund within 21 days of receiving a tax return filed electronically, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
If you filed a paper tax return, the federal agency said, it could take at least four weeks to process a return, while an amended tax return might take up to 16 weeks.
California’s tax board could take up to a month to deposit a refund from an electronically filed tax return and up to four months on paper-filed returns, The Bee reported.
Which US states get the largest tax refunds?
According to Upgraded Points, these were the top 10 states with the highest federal tax refund payments on average, based on the most recent data from the IRS:
- Florida — $3,853
- Texas — $3,774
- Wyoming — $3,720
- Nevada — $3,643
- Louisiana — $3,577
- Georgia — $3,574
- Mississippi — $3,491
- Illinois — $3,394
- Connecticut — $3,362
- Alabama — $3,357
California ranked No. 11, according to the travel guide website, with residents receiving an average tax refund of $3,344.
Which California counties get the highest tax refunds?
These were the California counties with the largest average tax refunds, according to Upgraded Points:
- Marin County — $6,168
- San Mateo County — $4,828
- Santa Clara County — $4,404
- San Francisco County — $4,273
- Contra Costa County — $3,940
- Alameda County — $3,584
- Napa County — $3,524
- Placer County — $3,426
- Orange County — $3,424
- El Dorado County — $3,323
How big will my federal tax refund be?
You can find out the average tax refund in your county by hovering over the map of California at UpgradedPoints.com.
How did Upgraded Points come up with its list?
The travel guide website created its tax refund analysis by combing through the newest data from the IRS.
Researchers calculated the average refund amounts for counties and states in the United States by pulling data from filing season statistics and individual income tax return statistics, according to Upgraded Points.
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How big of a tax refund will I get in California? See average payments by county."
