After the last date for filing ITR has passed, many taxpayers are still awaiting their refunds. Typically, refunds are processed within 4-5 weeks, but issues such as e-verification, bank account mismatches, or incorrect data can cause delays. Taxpayers can easily track their refund status by logging into the Income Tax portal.
Income Tax Return: The last date for filing Income Tax Returns, September 16, 2025, has passed, and many taxpayers are still awaiting their refunds. According to the Income Tax Department, the refund process is typically completed within 4-5 weeks after e-verification. However, incorrect information, bank mismatches, or verification-related issues can lead to delays. Taxpayers can track the status of their refunds by logging in to eportal.incometax.gov.in.
How Many Days Does a Refund Take?
Generally, the Income Tax Department initiates the refund process after the ITR is filed and e-verified. According to the department, it typically takes 4 to 5 weeks for the refund amount to be credited to the taxpayer's account. However, sometimes this process is completed quickly, while other times it may be delayed.
There are several reasons for refund delays. The most common cause is an error in e-verification. If a taxpayer has filed their ITR but has not completed its e-verification, the refund process will not proceed. Additionally, issues arise if the bank account is not pre-verified correctly. Sometimes, incorrect information filled in the form, a mismatch between PAN and Aadhaar, or other technical reasons can also cause a refund to get stuck.
Importance of E-verification
E-verification is mandatory after filing the ITR. This process initiates the entire refund system. If your return has not been e-verified, there is no point in waiting for a refund. Only when e-verification is complete does the department begin scrutinizing your return and proceeding with further processes.
Bank Account Status is Also Crucial
Refunds are directly transferred to the taxpayer's bank account. For this, it is essential that the bank account is correctly pre-verified on the Income Tax portal. If the account is not linked or has discrepancies, the refund amount may get stuck. In such cases, taxpayers should check their account status by visiting their profile.
How to Check ITR Refund Status
If you are also waiting for your refund, tracking it online is very easy.
- Step-1: First, visit the official website of the Income Tax Department at eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/.
- Step-2: Log in by entering your user ID and password.
- Step-3: After logging in, click on the ‘e-File’ tab.
- Step-4: Now, select the ‘Income Tax Return’ option and then go to ‘View Filed Returns’.
- Step-5: Here you will see the status of your current and previous returns.
- Step-6: Click on ‘View Details’ to see complete information about your refund.
Taxpayers' Concerns
Millions of taxpayers who filed their ITR on time are now waiting for their refunds. Especially those who paid more tax than necessary throughout the year are eagerly awaiting this money. However, the Income Tax Department has clarified that, under the normal process, all refunds will be credited to accounts within a few weeks.
Ease Brought by Technology
Previously, people faced considerable difficulty in knowing the refund status. But now, every update is available online on the portal. As soon as your refund is processed or credited to your account, this information appears on the portal. Additionally, taxpayers are informed via SMS and email.
Who Might Have to Wait Longer
In cases where the department has to conduct additional scrutiny of the return, it may take longer than usual for the refund to be processed. This is especially true when the Income Tax Department suspects that the taxpayer has provided incorrect information or when document verification is required for some reason. In such cases, the department conducts a full investigation first and only then issues the refund.
