Income tax refund delay AY 2025-26: The last date for filing the income tax return is 15 September. If you have not filed ITR yet, then you should do it without delay. Filing late can lead to a penalty, and the refund can also be delayed. At the same time, those who have filed the return on time must be waiting for the refund now. But you may be surprised to know that sometimes it might take up to 9 months for the income tax refund to arrive.
How long does it take for the refund to arrive in your bank account?
According to the Income Tax Department’s claim, usually the refund is received within 4 to 6 weeks after e-filing and e-verification. But the Income Tax Department legally has up to 9 months after the end of the entire financial year to process income tax refunds of assessees. That is, even if you have filed early, it is not guaranteed that the refund will be received immediately.
Filing your tax return this year? Head to our detailed ITR Guide for everything you need to know.
Why is there a delay in refund?
There can be many reasons for the delay in getting the refund —
Error or mismatch in return: If there is any error in your ITR, such as wrong PAN number, bank account details or discrepancy in data, then the processing gets delayed.
Difference between Form 26AS and ITR: Sometimes the TDS details do not match in Form 26AS and ITR. In such a situation, the department first investigates and then releases the refund.
Complex ITR form: ITR-1 is usually processed quickly because it is simple. But ITR-2, ITR-3 and ITR-4 take more time in processing due to the inclusion of business income, capital gain or other details.
Peak season load: Millions of people file returns around the last date. Due to this, the pressure on the server and processing system increases and the refund gets delayed.
ITR forms and their processing
Every taxpayer has to fill different ITR forms according to his income and source—
ITR-1 (Sahaj): For people with salary, pension and interest income only. This is the easiest and fastest to process.
ITR-2: For those who have capital gains, multiple properties or foreign income. Processing takes a little time.
ITR-3: For those with business or professional income. This is the most complex and processing can be slow due to the detail checks.
ITR-4 (Sugam): For those with presumptive income scheme (such as small traders, professionals). This is a little more complex than ITR-1.
What steps to keep in mind in the process of getting refund
Fill ITR on time: Do not wait till the last moment.
Do e-verification: Without e-verification, the return will not be processed. You can do it with Aadhaar OTP, net banking or other options.
Fill in bank details correctly: If there is a mistake in the account number and IFSC code, the refund will not be received.
Check Form 26AS and AIS: Make sure that TDS, Advance Tax and other details are matching correctly.
Check confirmation: After filing ITR, keep tracking till the status of ‘ITR Processed’ comes.
When will there be relief?
However, in the last few years, the system capacity and automation of the Income Tax Department has increased, due to which normal refunds are being received sooner than before. But if there is a mistake in the return or the case is complex, then processing may take a long time.
Summing up…
If you are also waiting for a refund, then be patient. The refund can come quickly and it can also take up to 9 months. It is better to check all the documents and details thoroughly before filing the return so that the refund is not delayed due to any mistake.