Income Tax Refund Delay: Why Your Refund Hasn’t Reached Your Bank Account Yet and How to Check Status

The Income Tax Department extended the deadline for filing returns this year to September 15, 2025, giving taxpayers extra time beyond the usual July 31 cut-off. While those who filed early in June received refunds relatively quickly, many individuals who filed their Income Tax Returns (ITR) in July are still waiting for the refund to be credited to their bank accounts.

This delay has left several taxpayers anxious, especially since refunds are generally processed within 20 to 45 days after filing and verification. Despite completing the filing and even verifying their returns on time, many complain that their refunds are still pending. So, what is causing the delay, and what can taxpayers do in this situation?

Why Income Tax Refunds Are Getting Delayed

1. E-Verification Not Completed

Experts highlight that one of the most common reasons for refund delays is failure to e-verify the return. Merely filing the ITR does not complete the process. The Income Tax Department begins processing only after the e-verification step is done. If a taxpayer forgets to e-verify, the refund will not be initiated.
Therefore, taxpayers must check the Income Tax e-filing website to confirm whether their return has been e-verified.

2. System Overload Due to High Volume

The number of ITR filings has surged this year, which has put additional load on the processing system. When the system handles a large volume of returns simultaneously, delays are bound to occur. Even if you have e-verified your return, the backlog may push your refund timeline further.

3. Other Technical or Compliance Issues

In some cases, discrepancies in bank account details, mismatched PAN information, or pending tax demands can also stall refunds. Taxpayers should ensure that their bank account is pre-validated on the income tax portal to receive refunds smoothly.

How to Check Your ITR Refund Status Online

If you are among those still waiting for your refund, you can easily track the status online through the Income Tax Department’s official e-filing portal. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Income Tax e-filing website.

2. Log in using your registered ID and password.

3. Go to the “e-File” tab.

4. Select “View Filed Returns”.

5. Here, you will see details of both your current and past returns.

6. A timeline will also be displayed, showing the exact stage of your return — whether it is filed, verified, under processing, or completed.

This status check helps you know whether your return has been processed or if it is still awaiting verification.

What Should You Do If Refund Is Delayed?

Experts advise that if your return shows as “under processing”, there is little option but to wait. Refunds are only initiated once the return is fully processed. Given the system overload this year, taxpayers should be prepared for longer waiting times.

In case your return has not been processed for an unusually long period, you can raise a grievance through the e-filing portal or contact the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) of the Income Tax Department.

Key Takeaway

While refund delays can be frustrating, most cases are due to verification issues or heavy processing loads on the system. To avoid unnecessary stress, taxpayers should:

• Ensure their ITR is e-verified.

• Check the refund status regularly on the e-filing portal.

• Confirm that bank account details are updated and pre-validated.

The Income Tax Department has already extended the filing deadline to September 15, 2025, which means many more returns will enter the system in the coming weeks. Naturally, this could add to the processing time. For now, patience is the only practical solution while ensuring that all compliance steps are correctly completed.