ITR Refund Delay: How to Fix It
Waiting for your income tax refund can be stressful, especially when you keep checking your income tax refund status and it still shows pending. Many taxpayers face delays due to mismatched details, verification issues, or processing backlogs at the tax department.
If your refund hasn’t arrived, you can raise a request for refund re-issue using your PAN and assessment year on the Income Tax portal.
At Filingwise, we help you file ITRs on time, track your income tax refund status, and resolve delays—so your money reaches you without the wa
What is an Income Tax Refund?
An income tax refund is the money you get back when you’ve paid more tax than your actual liability. This often happens if too much TDS (from salary or bank interest) or TCS is deducted. To claim the refund, you must file your Income Tax Return (ITR) with details of your income, TDS, TCS, or advance tax.
For example, if you paid ₹80,000 as TDS in FY 2023–24 (AY 2024–25), but your actual tax comes to ₹60,000, you’ll receive a refund of ₹20,000 from the Income Tax Department
Why Is My Income Tax Refund Delayed?
Sometimes your income tax refund may take longer than expected. Here are the most common reasons:
Processing Time – During peak season, the Income Tax Department handles huge volumes of returns, so it may just be a matter of waiting.
Errors in Return – Mistakes in PAN, income details, or deductions can cause delays.
Mismatch in Form 26AS – If TDS in your ITR doesn’t match Form 26AS records, processing gets held up.
Incomplete Documentation – Missing proofs for deductions or claims can lead to delays until verified.
Outstanding Taxes/Debts – Any dues may be adjusted against your refund.
Incorrect Bank Details – Wrong account number or name mismatch can prevent refund credit.
Return Under Scrutiny – If your return is flagged for review, the refund will be on hold.
Postal Delays – If you opted for a paper cheque, delivery issues can cause delays.
Offline Filing – Manual returns usually take longer to process than e-filing.
Identity Theft or Fraud – Suspicious or fraudulent filings under your PAN may put refunds on hold.
False Claims – If wrong deductions or refund claims are found, the department can reject or delay your refund and even impose penalties.
How to Check Your Income Tax Refund Status
You can easily check the status online in two simple ways:
1. On the Income Tax e-Filing Portal
Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal with your credentials.
Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
Select the assessment year (e.g., 2024–25) and click View Details.
The status page will show updates like “Processed with refund due.”
Usually, processing takes 20–45 days, after which the refund is issued.
2. On the NSDL Website
Visit the TIN NSDL refund tracking page.
Enter your PAN, assessment year, and captcha code.
Submit, and you’ll see the latest status of your refund.
What to Do If Your Income Tax Refund Is Not Received
Haven’t got your income tax refund yet? Don’t worry—it can be fixed. Refund delays usually happen due to mismatched details or processing issues. Here’s how you can resolve it:
1. Check Your Bank Details
Make sure the account number and IFSC code entered in your ITR are correct.
Confirm these details match your actual bank account.
Ask your bank if your account is active, unrestricted, and pre-validated in the Income Tax portal.
2. Request a Refund Re-Issue
If your details are correct but the refund still hasn’t come:
Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Go to My Account → Refund Re-issue → Create Refund Reissue Request.
Enter your PAN, assessment year, and refund amount.
Complete the e-verification and submit.
3. Interest on Delayed Refunds
If the Income Tax Department delays your refund, you may get interest under Section 244A:
Interest is paid if the refund is 10% or more of the tax paid.
The rate is 0.5% per month (6% annually) from April 1st until the refund is credited.
No interest is given if the refund is less than 10% of the total tax.
Pro tip: Filing on time and double-checking your details helps avoid refund delays altogether.
