Every year, thousands of taxpayers face an ITR refund delay, leaving them confused about why their money has not been credited. The Income Tax Department issues refunds only after verifying your income, deductions, TDS, and bank details. Even a small mismatch or missed step can put your refund on hold for weeks or months.
Waiting for your income tax refund can feel frustrating—especially when the status keeps showing “Refund is under processing” or “Refund delayed” for weeks. Every year, thousands of taxpayers face the same problem due to minor mistakes, verification issues, or backend delays at the Income Tax Department.
In this detailed guide, we break down why ITR refund delay happens, common errors taxpayers make, and the fastest ways to fix and speed up your refund.
Understanding ITR Refund Delay
An ITR refund delay happens when the Income Tax Department takes longer than expected to validate your return, process the computation, confirm your bank details, and finally release the refund to your account. Normally, the refund is processed within 20–45 days after e-verification. But delays can occur due to mismatches, incomplete verification, or backend technical checks.
How the Refund Process Works (Step-by-Step)
Knowing the process helps identify where the delay may be occurring:
Step 1: ITR Filing
You submit your ITR with income details, deductions, and tax paid.
Step 2: E-Verification
You must verify the return using Aadhaar OTP, net-banking, or DSC.
Step 3: Income Tax Department Processing
The tax system matches your:
- TDS details
- Form 26AS
- AIS/TIS data
- Bank account
- Personal details
Step 4: Refund Approval
After validating everything, your refund is approved.
Step 5: Refund Issued by SBI (CPC Refund Banker)
The refund is sent to your pre-validated bank account.
At any stage, an error can cause an itr refund delay, which is why identifying the exact reason is important.
Common Reasons for ITR Refund Delay
Let’s break down the most frequent causes:
ITR Not E-Verified
If you filed your return but did not e-verify, the processing never begins.
Your ITR becomes invalid after 30 days.
Mismatch in Income Details
Errors in:
- Form 26AS
- AIS (Annual Information Statement)
- TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary)
- TDS certificates
cause delays because the system rechecks your financial data manually.
Bank Account Not Pre-Validated
Refunds are only issued to pre-validated + EVC-enabled bank accounts.
Even a small mismatch in name, PAN, or account number can stop the refund.
Additional Verification Required by CPC
If the system suspects:
- unusually high refund
- excessive deductions
- mismatch in figures.
ITR Filed with Errors
Typical mistakes include:
- Wrong assessment year
- Wrong ITR form
- Incorrect TDS entry
- Incorrect deduction claim
Notice or Demand Pending
Refund is withheld if:
- You received a notice under sections 143(1), 143(2), 264, etc.
- Past tax dues are pending
Technical or Backend Delays
During peak months (July–September), refund processing slows down.
Status Messages You May See (and What They Mean)
Here are common refund-related messages:
“Refund is under process”
The ITD is still verifying your return.
“Refund determined and sent to refund banker”
SBI is processing your refund.
“Refund failure – Bank account invalid”
Your bank account is not validated.
“No refund due”
Your calculation and CPC calculation mismatched.
“Refund adjusted against outstanding demand”
Your refund was used to settle old tax dues.
Understanding these messages helps you figure out the exact reason for the itr refund delay.
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Fastest Ways to Resolve an ITR Refund Delay
Here are the best and quickest methods to fix the issue:
Check ITR Status Online
Visit:
Income Tax Portal → e-File → View Filed Returns → Check Status
If you see errors, you can correct them.
Ensure Bank Account is Pre-Validated
Go to:
Profile → My Bank Account → Pre-validate Bank Account
Make sure:
- Name matches PAN
- Account number is correct
- IFSC is correct
Reconcile AIS, TIS & Form 26AS
Check that all your income sources match the department's records.
Respond to Any Notices Immediately
If CPC raises a query, submit your response within the deadline.
Raise a Refund Reissue Request (If Refund Failed)
Steps:
Services → Refund Reissue → Select Bank Account → Submit
Contact Refund Bank (SBI)
Email: customercare@sbi.co.in
Call: 1800 425 9760
File a Grievance on e-Nivaran
If everything is correct but refund is still delayed:
Dashboard → Grievances → e-Nivaran → Submit Complaint
This speeds up processing.
read more about Still waiting for your tax refund? 5 common ITR errors and how to correct them
Tips to Avoid ITR Refund Delay in the Future
Follow these best practices:
File your ITR early
Ensure Aadhaar-PAN link
Use only pre-validated bank accounts
Double-check all TDS entries
Avoid mistakes in deductions
Always e-verify within 30 days
Doing these steps ensures smooth processing and faster refunds.
Final Conclusion
An itr refund delay can happen due to simple mistakes like wrong bank details or large mismatches in AIS/26AS. The good news is that most delays are easily fixable once you know the reason. By checking your ITR status, validating your bank account, responding to notices, and keeping your financial data accurate, you can speed up your refund without any hassle.
If you still face an issue even after following these steps, raising a grievance or contacting the refund banker is often the quickest solution.
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