ITR Refund Delay: Haven't Received Your Income Tax Refund Yet? Here Are 5 Possible Reasons

New Delhi, September 2, 2025 – Many taxpayers who filed their Income Tax Returns (ITR) in June and July 2025 are still waiting for their refunds. Social media is flooded with complaints, with several users tagging the Income Tax Department on X (formerly Twitter). If you’re among those still waiting, here’s a detailed look at what an ITR refund is, why delays happen, and how you can check your refund status online.

What is an Income Tax Refund?

An Income Tax Refund is the excess amount of tax paid by a taxpayer that the Income Tax Department returns. This usually happens when:

• The employer or bank deducted higher TDS than required.

• Advance tax paid was more than the liability.

• Deductions or exemptions weren’t fully claimed.

• Calculation errors occurred while filing ITR.

In such cases, the department credits the excess tax directly to the taxpayer’s bank account.

How Long Does It Take?

The refund process begins only after the ITR is e-verified. According to the Income Tax Department, it typically takes 4–5 weeks for refunds to be credited. If the amount doesn’t show up within this period, taxpayers should immediately check their refund status on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

How to Check ITR Refund Status

Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

Log in using your PAN/Aadhaar and password.

Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns.

Select the relevant Assessment Year to view the refund status.

What the Refund Status Means

• Refund Issued – The refund has been successfully credited.

• Refund Partially Adjusted – Part of the refund is adjusted against outstanding tax dues.

• Refund Fully Adjusted – The entire refund was used to settle past dues.

• Refund Failed – Credit could not be processed, usually due to wrong bank details or mismatches.

Common Reasons for Refund Failure

• PAN not operative or not linked with Aadhaar.

• Bank account not pre-validated.

• Name mismatch between bank and PAN records.

• Incorrect IFSC code.

• Refund sent to a closed account.

5 Major Reasons for Refund Delays

Incomplete e-verification of ITR.

Incorrect bank account details or outdated records.

Mismatch in Annual Information Statement (AIS) and ITR data.

Discrepancies in reported income between employer/bank and the ITR filed.

Pending tax dues from previous years.

Bottom Line

If your ITR refund is delayed, the first step is to check your refund status online and verify if your bank account is active, valid, and linked with your PAN. Most delays are due to minor mismatches or incomplete verification. Ensuring your details are updated and error-free can speed up the process.