Income Tax Refund: Income Tax Refund Delayed? Here’s How to Speed Up the Process

WBPAY12 hours agoLast Updated: September 23, 2025

Income Tax Refund: For many, a delay in receiving an income tax refund of more than Rs. 50,000 is a cause for concern. It’s natural to worry when a refund gets stuck even after filing the Income Tax Return (ITR) within the specified time. In this article, we will discuss in detail the main reasons behind this and how you can get a quick resolution to this problem.

Table of Contents

Why are Income Tax Refunds Delayed?

According to the Income Tax Department, the refund process is usually completed within 7 to 120 days of filing the ITR. However, in some cases, this deadline is exceeded, especially when the refund amount is more than Rs. 50,000. There can be several reasons behind this.

1. Additional Verification Process

When the refund amount is large, especially over Rs. 50,000, the Income Tax Department takes extra precautions. In such cases, the data is scrutinized more rigorously to avoid the possibility of fraud or incorrect information. Due to this additional verification process, it may take longer than usual to get the refund.

2. Information Mismatch

For the refund process to be completed quickly, it is very important that the information you provide matches the information available with the Income Tax Department. The refund may be held up if there are discrepancies in the following areas:

Mismatch with Form 26AS and AIS: If the income and TDS amount mentioned in your ITR do not match your Form 26AS (Annual Tax Statement) and AIS (Annual Information Statement), a departmental inquiry may be initiated, causing a delay in the refund.
Incorrect Bank Account Details: If the bank account details you provided, such as the account number or IFSC code, are incorrect, or if your name does not match the bank’s records, the refund may fail. Additionally, problems can arise if your bank account is not pre-validated on the income tax portal.

3. Last-Minute Filing

Those who file their ITR very close to the due date often experience delays in the initiation of their refund process. This is because there is a lot of pressure on the servers at the last minute, and it takes time to complete the e-verification process.

4. In Case of Complex Returns

For those whose income tax returns are relatively complex—such as income from business, capital gains, or claims for multiple deductions—the refund process can be prolonged. These types of returns are examined more thoroughly.

How to Ensure a Faster Refund?

Provide Correct Information: Fill in all information correctly while filing the ITR, especially bank account details.
File Early: File and e-verify your ITR as soon as possible, without waiting for the last date.
Cross-check Information: Before filing, cross-check the information in your ITR with the information in Form 26AS and AIS.
Check Refund Status: Regularly check the current status of your refund on the official website of the Income Tax Department. If any issue arises, take immediate action.

If there is a delay in receiving the refund despite all the information being correct, you can contact the Income Tax Department’s helpline number or register your grievance. Taking the right steps and being cautious can make getting an income tax refund much easier.