Nearly 90,000 more people have applied for tax refunds this year compared with last year.

To date, Inland Revenue has refunded almost $50 million more than the same time last year.

Spokesman Andrew Stott says online requests for personal tax summaries increased by 41% in April and nearly 60% in May.

He says their advertising this year is around using online services to apply for refunds.

Mr Stott says it's targeted at 18-34 year olds, including part-time workers and those who have more than one job.

He says that age group is more likely to be eligible for a refund and more likely to use the telephone to contact Inland Revenue about their refunds.