Getting an Income Tax Refund is something every taxpayer looks forward to after filing the Income Tax Return (ITR). However, many individuals face delays in receiving their refunds due to several technical and compliance-related issues. In 2025, the Income Tax Department’s processing system has become faster and more automated, yet delays still happen—and most of them are easy to fix.
This comprehensive blog explains why
your ITR refund is delayed, how to check your refund status, and what
actions you can take to receive your refund at the earliest.
⭐ 1. What Causes ITR Refund Delay?
Refund delay happens when your filed
return cannot be processed smoothly or when refund credit to your bank account
fails. Below are the most common reasons:
1. ITR Under Processing
The Income Tax Department may take 15–45 days to
process your return. During peak season (July–September), processing timelines
can extend due to high volume.
2. ITR Not E-Verified
Your ITR is considered valid only after e-verification.
If your return shows “Pending for e-verification”, your refund will not
be processed.
Common reasons for verification failure:
- Aadhaar
mobile not active
- Expired
OTP
- Net
banking EVC not working
3. Bank Account Not Pre-Validated
Refunds are issued only to pre-validated and ECS-enabled
bank accounts.
Refund fails if:
- Account
number is incorrect
- IFSC
code has changed due to bank merger
- Account
is inactive/dormant
- ECS
is not enabled
You will see statuses like Refund Failure, Refund
Returned, or Refund Initiated but Not Credited.
4. Mismatch in 26AS / AIS Data
Any difference between:
- TDS
claimed
- Income
reported
- Bank
interest
- High-value
transactions in AIS
can trigger manual review, which delays refund.
5. Notice Issued by Income Tax
Department
If any notice is issued under:
- 139(9) – Defective return
- 143(1)(a) – Adjustment
- 154 – Rectification
- 143(2) – Scrutiny
your refund will be on hold until you reply and the issue is
resolved.
6. High Refund Claim or Risk Flag
Large refunds or inconsistencies with previous years often
lead to additional verification.
⭐ 2. How to Check Your ITR Refund Status
You must check both Income Tax Portal and NSDL
Refund Status.
A. Check on Income Tax Portal
- Login
→ e-File
- Click
Income Tax Returns
- Select
View Filed Returns
You will see statuses like:
- Under
Processing
- Processed
with Refund
- Processed
with Demand
- Pending
for e-verification
- Refund
Failure
B. Check on NSDL Refund Portal
Visit: tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatus
Here you can check:
- If
refund was sent by the department
- Whether
the bank rejected the refund
- The
exact reason for rejection
⭐ 3. How to Fix ITR Refund Delay (Step-by-Step)
✔️ 1. Complete E-Verification (if pending)
You can verify using:
- Aadhaar
OTP
- Net
banking
- Bank
EVC
- DSC
for audit cases
Once verified, processing generally starts within a few
days.
✔️ 2. Pre-Validate Your Bank Account
Go to:
Profile → My Bank Account → Add Bank Account → Pre-validate
Ensure that:
- PAN
is linked
- ECS
is enabled
- Account
is active
✔️ 3. Correct Mismatch in ITR vs. AIS/26AS
If mismatch exists:
- File
a Revised Return (if allowed), or
- File
a Rectification Request under Section 154
✔️ 4. Respond to Pending Notices
Go to:
Pending Actions → e-Proceedings
Reply to:
- 139(9)
notice
- 143(1)(a)
adjustment
- 154
order
Refund gets released after issue closure.
✔️ 5. Submit a Refund Grievance
If the refund is delayed for more than 45–60 days,
raise a grievance.
Path:
Grievances → Submit Grievance → Refund Delay
This usually speeds up processing.
✔️ 6. Contact CPC Bangalore (If Needed)
- Email:
cpchelpdesk@incometax.gov.in
- Helpline:
1800 103 4455 / 1800 419 0025
Provide:
- PAN
- Assessment
Year
- ITR
acknowledgment number
- Return
filing date
⭐ 4. What to Do If Refund Is Failed or Returned?
If refund shows “Refund Failure” or “Refund
Returned”, you must:
- Pre-validate
the correct bank account
- Go
to Services → Refund Reissue
- Submit
Refund Reissue Request
- Choose
the correct bank
- Wait
5–10 working days for refund re-issue
⭐ 5. Final Thoughts
ITR refund delays are common and usually occur due to minor
issues such as verification pending, bank validation errors, or mismatches in
tax data. By regularly checking return status, ensuring the correct bank
details, and responding to notices on time, you can speed up your refund
significantly.
If your refund is delayed beyond the usual period,
submitting a grievance or contacting CPC generally resolves the issue quickly.
