Money IRS: $9.5 billion in refunds issued so far, with an average payment of $2,201 February 14, 2022 Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press Comments Off on IRS: $9.5 billion in refunds issued so far, with an average payment of $2,201 IRS delivered refunds to more than 4 million people in the first two weeks. But some direct deposit refunds involve a backlog of 2020 returns.