New Delhi: As the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for the financial year approaches, a notable segment of taxpayers continues to await refunds, even months after the September 16 filing deadline. While the majority of ITRs have already been processed, delays remain a persistent concern for many taxpayers, prompting repeated checks on the status of their refunds and careful revisiting of their submissions.

According to Ravi Agrawal, Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxation, some refund claims are being held up because they have been flagged as “high-value” or “red-flagged” by the department’s automated systems. These cases often involve claims for specific deductions or figures that deviate from expected ranges. In such instances, taxpayers may receive notices to file a revised return or provide additional supporting documentation to resolve the issue.

When Are ITR Refunds Typically Disbursed?

Refund processing begins only after an income tax return is successfully e-verified. Once verification is completed, the refund is usually credited to the taxpayer’s bank account within four to five weeks, according to the Income Tax Department. This timeline generally holds for most cases; however, several common issues can cause delays.

Some of the frequently cited reasons for delayed refunds include:

• Unvalidated bank accounts: Taxpayers must validate their bank accounts for the refund to be credited.
• Incorrect IFSC codes: Any errors in the IFSC code can result in failed disbursal.
• Mismatch in personal details: Differences between the name on the PAN card and the details entered in the ITR can halt processing.
• Form discrepancies: Information in Form 26AS or the Annual Information Statement (AIS) that does not match the return can trigger a review.

Officials advise that taxpayers who do not see movement on their refund within the expected timeframe should review any emails or notices sent by the department. Missing verification prompts, alerts about incorrect bank details, or incomplete documentation can entirely pause the refund process.

How to Check Your Income Tax Refund Status

Taxpayers can track the status of their refund directly through the Income Tax Department portal. The steps are as follows:

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal at eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/
2. Log in using your registered user ID and password.
3. Navigate to the e-File tab > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns.
4. Select the relevant assessment year and click View Details.

The portal will indicate whether the refund has been issued, is under review, or is pending because additional information is required. Additionally, the Income Tax Department notes that refunds will fail if the PAN is inoperative. Taxpayers are encouraged to link their PAN with Aadhaar using the “Link Now” option on the portal to ensure smooth processing.

Common Causes of ITR Refund Delays

A significant number of delays are linked to bank account issues. Incorrect account numbers, unvalidated accounts, or wrong IFSC codes prevent the department from crediting refunds. Similarly, Aadhaar-PAN linkage issues can hold up refunds until the taxpayer updates their identification data to ensure consistency.

Incorrect or unsupported claims are another major source of delay. Claims for deductions without proper documentation or refund amounts that do not align with reported income are flagged for further scrutiny. Officials will hold the refund until these issues are resolved.

Discrepancies in information across Form 16, the AIS, or Form 26AS can also trigger a manual review. Such mismatches necessitate verification and, in some cases, require taxpayers to submit corrected returns or additional documents. Only after these issues are addressed will the refund be released.

For the majority of taxpayers, refunds are credited within the standard four-to-five-week window. For others, the timeline depends on factors such as verification completion, corrected bank details, or timely responses to departmental notices. Consistent monitoring of the e-Filing portal and ensuring that all personal, bank, and income details are accurate remain the most effective ways to prevent further delays.

Key Takeaways for Taxpayers:

• Why is my ITR refund delayed? Refunds can be delayed due to verification gaps, incorrect bank details, Aadhaar-PAN issues, or mismatches in reported income.
• How long does it take for the refund to be credited? Typically, refunds are credited within 4–5 weeks after successful e-verification.
• How can I track my refund status? Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal, navigate to “View Filed Returns,” and check the latest refund update for your assessment year.

In conclusion, while the Income Tax Department has streamlined refund processing, delays remain inevitable for a segment of taxpayers due to verification, documentation, or banking issues. Taxpayers are encouraged to maintain updated details, respond promptly to notices, and regularly check the portal to ensure timely receipt of refunds. With proper attention to these factors, the likelihood of further delay can be significantly minimized.

This guidance serves as a comprehensive overview for taxpayers navigating refund delays, offering clarity on causes, timelines, and the best practices for monitoring refund status.