Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service warned the end of pandemic-era stimulus programs would result in lower tax refunds this year. Early statistics indicate that prediction is holding true.

As of Feb. 4, the most recent data available, the average tax refund is down just under 11%, from $2,201 to $1,963. The IRS has received 18.95 million tax returns, a 13.5% increase over last year. It has already processed 16.8 million returns, a 29% increase over the 12.9 million it had processed at the same point last year.

The IRS has distributed 8 million refunds compared to 4.3 at this point last year.

The lower refunds are due mostly to changes involving the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit, as well as deductions allowed for charitable contributions.

Here are the changes:

• Child Tax Credit – Taxpayers who received $3,600 in 2021 as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit will see a big cut to pre-pandemic level of $2,000 for the 2022 tax year.
• Earned Income Tax Credit – During the pandemic, eligible taxpayers without children were eligible for $1,500. This will be cut to $500 in 2022.
• Child and Dependent Care Credit – This credit will see a significant reductions from $8,000 in 2021 to $2,100 in 2022.
• No above-the-line charitable deductions – During COVID, taxpayers could take up to a $600 charitable donation tax deduction on their returns. However, in 2022, those who take a standard deduction may not take an above-the-line deduction for charitable donations.

Wondering what you qualify for? You can use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov to determine eligibility for tax credits.