Scott Bessent is back in the spotlight as Secretary of the Treasury, and the latest news centers on how his tax policy choices will hit listeners wallets in early 2026. In a recent conversation highlighted by Fox Business, Bessent said that Americans should expect what he called a gigantic refund year, thanks to President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax and spending package signed in July twenty twenty five. According to that Fox Business report, the tax cuts were written to apply retroactively to the start of the year, but paycheck withholding was never adjusted, setting up unusually large refunds when people file their twenty twenty five taxes in early twenty twenty six.

Bessent, who is also serving as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, has been telling interviewers that many households could see one thousand to two thousand dollars back at tax time if they file early. Fox Business and follow up coverage from Blavity, citing Newsweek and local television interviews, report that Bessent is estimating one hundred to one hundred fifty billion dollars in total refunds, potentially making it one of the largest refund seasons on record. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation has echoed the basic forecast, pointing to expanded child tax credits, a higher standard deduction, a higher cap on state and local tax deductions, and new or expanded deductions on items like auto loan interest, tip income, overtime pay, and some senior expenses as key drivers of those bigger checks.

At the same time, Bessent is facing growing political pushback over how the Internal Revenue Service is being managed under his watch. Kauai Now News reports that Senator Mazie Hirono and two dozen other senators have sent a letter pressing Bessent to reverse hiring freezes and staff cuts at the Taxpayer Advocate Service, the independent office inside the Internal Revenue Service that helps people resolve refund delays and other tax problems. The lawmakers warn that nearly one in four advocates have left this year, and they argue that shrinking that office just as refunds surge could make it harder for many families to actually receive the full benefits Bessent is promising.

Critics of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, highlighted in Blavitys coverage, also stress that while middle income households may enjoy short term windfalls in twenty twenty six, the law delivers much larger long term gains to high income families and corporations, and may widen the federal deficit. That sets up a broader debate around Bessent, as supporters showcase headline refund numbers while opponents question whether his Treasury is trading fiscal stability and equitable policy for a short term political boost.

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