It is not uncommon for many individuals to experience a delay in receiving their income tax refund. If you have filed your Income Tax Return (ITR) as required, it is a normal response to question the status of your refund. This article considers the main reasons why refunds may be delayed, and how to respond to ensure the situation is resolved timely.
Reasons for delay in receiving your income tax refund.
The Income Tax Department informs that a income tax refund is typically processed within 7 days to 120 days after the filing of the ITR, usually delayed due, among others, to the amount being more than ₹50,000. There are several potential causes of the delay.
Why Your Income Tax Refund Gets Delayed
Many people face delays in getting their income tax refund. This usually happens because of small mistakes or extra checks by the Income Tax Department. If your refund amount is large, especially more than ₹50,000, the department checks your details carefully to prevent fraud. Sometimes, the information in your ITR may not match the department’s records. For example, if your income or TDS is different from Form 26AS or AIS, or if your bank account number or IFSC code is wrong, the refund can be delayed. Filing your ITR close to the last date can also slow the process because the servers are busy and e-verification takes time. Refunds may also take longer if your return is complex, like having business income, capital gains, or many deductions, because the department reviews these more carefully.
How to speed up your refund
If you need your refund quickly, make sure to accurately fill out your bank information and other details on the form; file your income tax return (ITR) as early as possible; ensure your ITR matches your collected reports under Form 26AS and Aggregated Information System (AIS); and track your status through the Income Tax Portal. If after all this you still find your refund is not delivered timely, either contact the Income Tax helpline or file an issue online. Careful mindful checking ensures refund velocity.
