ITR Refund Delay: The deadline for submitting Income Tax Returns (ITR) for AY 2025-26 ended on September 16, 2025. While most refunds have already been processed by the tax authorities, several taxpayers are still awaiting their money.
After filing and e-verifying your return, the Income Tax Department generally credits the refund within 4-5 weeks.
“Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer,” according to the Income Tax Department. However, verification issues, mismatched bank details, or incorrect data can slow down the process.
The department recommends taxpayers check for discrepancies and monitor their emails if the refund hasn’t been received within this period.
“However, if refund is not received during this duration, the taxpayer must check for intimation regarding discrepancies in ITR; check email for any notification from the IT department regarding the refund,” the I-T department said.
How to Check Your ITR Refund Status
Taxpayers can track their ITR refund online through the official income tax portal. The process involves:
Visiting eportal.incometax.gov.in
Logging in with your user ID and password
Clicking on the ‘e-File’ tab, then ‘Income Tax Returns,’ followed by ‘View Filed Returns’
Selecting the relevant ITR to view the refund status
Common Reasons Your Refund Might Be Delayed
Bank Account Issues: Refunds won’t be credited if bank account details are incorrect. Taxpayers are advised to pre-validate accounts on the portal and ensure IFSC codes and account numbers are accurate.
Aadhaar-PAN Linking Problems: A mismatch between Aadhaar and PAN can hold up refunds. Linking PAN with Aadhaar correctly is essential to avoid delays.
Incorrect Claims or Documentation: Refunds may be paused if deductions or credits require additional proof. Inflated or false claims can also trigger notices and repayment checks.
Data Inconsistencies: Any mismatch between Form 26AS, Form 16, or the Annual Information Statement (AIS) can delay refunds. The Tax Department will verify such information before processing.