Income Tax Refund 2025: How to Check Your ITR Refund Status and Common Reasons for Delay
The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for this financial year ended on September 16, 2025. While many taxpayers have already received their refunds, a large number are still waiting for the amount to be credited to their bank accounts. If you are among those waiting, it is important to know when the refund is likely to arrive and how you can track its status.
Who Gets an Income Tax Refund?
An income tax refund is issued when a taxpayer has paid more tax than their actual liability. This excess could be through TDS (Tax Deducted at Source), TCS (Tax Collected at Source), advance tax, or self-assessment tax. Once the Income Tax Department completes processing your return, the excess amount is refunded directly to your bank account.
However, this process only begins after you have e-verified your ITR. Without e-verification, the refund will not be processed. On average, refunds are issued within 4–5 weeks of successful e-verification. In some cases, delays may occur if the department needs additional verification or finds discrepancies in the return.
How to Check ITR Refund Status Online
You can easily track your refund status through the official Income Tax e-filing website. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Visit the official portal: www.incometax.gov.in.
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Log in using your PAN credentials. If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, a notification will appear. You can either link it immediately by clicking on “Link Now” or continue after completing the process.
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After logging in, navigate to the e-File tab.
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Select Income Tax Returns and then click on View Filed Returns.
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Choose the relevant assessment year to check the refund status. Click on View Details to see the complete status of your filed return.
This method allows you to track whether your refund has been issued, is under process, or has been held due to errors in your filing.
Common Reasons for Refund Delays
If your refund has not been credited within the usual time frame, one of these issues may be responsible:
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PAN not linked with Aadhaar – Linking is mandatory, and refunds will not be processed without it.
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Bank account not pre-validated – The Income Tax portal now requires pre-validation of your account before issuing refunds.
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Mismatch in name – The name on your bank account must exactly match the one on your PAN card.
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Incorrect IFSC code – Even a minor error in bank details can block the refund.
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Closed or inactive bank account – If the account you mentioned in your ITR is no longer active, the refund cannot be processed.
What Taxpayers Should Do
To avoid delays, ensure your PAN is linked with Aadhaar, update your bank details on the income tax portal, and pre-validate your bank account. Always double-check the IFSC code and confirm that the account is active.
By carefully reviewing these details and checking your refund status online, you can resolve any issues quickly and avoid unnecessary waiting. Staying alert to email notifications from the Income Tax Department is also recommended, as they may provide updates or request clarifications.
For most taxpayers, once these requirements are met, the refund amount is credited smoothly within a few weeks, offering much-needed relief after the filing season.
With these steps, taxpayers can track their ITR refund status with ease and fix any problems promptly—ensuring timely credit of their rightful refund.
