Income Tax Refund Delayed: A growing number of taxpayers have taken to social media in recent days, flagging prolonged delays in receiving their income
tax refunds. In several cases, refunds have not been credited even after five months of filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs). While such delays can be frustrating, they are not unusual this year, as the Income Tax Department has tightened scrutiny and intensified verification checks across filings. Income tax refunds are typically delayed when returns are not fully processed or when discrepancies are detected in the information submitted. One of the most frequent reasons for delay is incomplete compliance by taxpayers after filing their return. Many individuals overlook the crucial step of verifying their ITR. Filing alone does not complete the process. Returns must be verified using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, Electronic Verification Code (EVC), or by sending a signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru. Until verification is completed, the return is treated as invalid, and no refund is released. This year, however, refund delays have increased due to stricter scrutiny by the tax department. If there is a mismatch between the income declared in the ITR and details available in Form 26AS, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), or the Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), the return is flagged for further review, slowing down processing. Most Common Triggers For Refund Delays Refunds may also be withheld if there is an outstanding tax demand against the taxpayer or if the department issues an intimation under Section 143(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Errors in bank account details, such as incorrect account numbers or inactive accounts, can further complicate matters and prevent refunds from being credited on time. In some cases, taxpayers receive notices seeking clarification or additional documentation. Until these are addressed, refunds remain on hold. What Taxpayers Should Do Next The first and most important step is not to panic. Taxpayers should log in to the income tax e-filing portal and check the “Pending Actions” section for any notices or intimation from the department. If an intimation is available, download it and carefully reconcile the information with your filed return, Form 26AS, and AIS. If the department’s observation is correct, accept it. If not, respond with valid explanations and supporting documents through the portal. How to Track Your Income Tax Refund Status Taxpayers can monitor refund progress separately by following these steps: Visit the Income Tax India e-filing website Log in using your PAN, password, and captcha code Navigate to ‘View Returns / Forms’ Select ‘Income Tax Returns’ from the drop-down menu Enter the relevant assessment year and submit Click on the ITR acknowledgement number to view the refund status Staying proactive and responding promptly to notices can significantly speed up the refund process.
