ITR Deadline Missed? You Can Still Get Your Tax Refund Even After 31 December – Know the Easy Way
ITR Filing Deadline: If you failed to file or revise your Income Tax Return (ITR) by the 31 December deadline, there is no need to panic. Many taxpayers believe that missing this date means losing their tax refund forever, but that is not true. The Income Tax Act provides a legal remedy that can help you correct mistakes and still claim your rightful refund.
For Assessment Year 2025-26 (Financial Year 2024-25), the last date to file belated or revised ITR was 31 December 2025. If you could not meet this deadline, you can still use Section 154 of the Income Tax Act to request a correction. This section allows taxpayers to file a Rectification Request for errors that are apparent on the record.
What Is Section 154 and How Does It Help?
Section 154 is meant for correcting clear and obvious mistakes in your already processed return. These may include:
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Incorrect calculation of income
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Missing deductions or exemptions
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Tax credit not reflected properly
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Mismatch in TDS details
If such an error has resulted in a lower refund or higher tax liability, you can request rectification and recover your refund.
However, remember that this facility is only for errors visible on record. You cannot add new income or make major changes using this option.
Step-by-Step Process to File Rectification Request
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Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal and log in using your PAN and password.
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Go to the ‘Services’ tab and select ‘Rectification’.
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Choose the relevant Assessment Year and select the processed return.
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Enter details of the mistake and choose the appropriate rectification type.
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Verify the request using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or EVC.
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Submit the request and note the acknowledgment number for tracking.
In most cases, the process is completed within 4 to 6 weeks.
What If Refund Was Issued But Not Received?
Sometimes, refunds are issued by the tax department but do not reach the bank account due to incorrect details. In such cases:
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Update your pre-validated bank account details on the portal
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Use the ‘Refund Re-issue’ option
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Track the status under ‘Refund Status’ section
How to Check Refund Status?
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Log in to the e-filing portal
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Click on ‘View Filed Returns’ or ‘Refund Status’
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Enter PAN and Assessment Year
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Check status like Processing, Refund Issued, or Refund Credited
If there is a delay, check your registered email and SMS alerts.
Will You Get Interest on Delayed Refund?
Yes. As per rules, if there is a delay in issuing your refund, the Income Tax Department pays 0.5% interest per month on the refundable amount. This ensures taxpayers are compensated for the waiting period.
Why This Option Is a Big Relief for Taxpayers
Experts say many people file ITR in a hurry and later realise they missed important deductions or entered wrong details. Section 154 gives them a second chance to correct mistakes and avoid financial loss. Recently, the tax department has also issued notices to several taxpayers over mismatches, asking them to revise their returns.
If you missed the revised ITR deadline, this is your last and safest legal route to secure your hard-earned money.
Important Points to Remember
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Rectification is only for apparent errors, not new disclosures
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Always keep documents ready to support your claim
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Ensure bank details are correct and pre-validated
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Track status regularly to avoid delays
Conclusion
Missing the 31 December ITR deadline does not mean the end of your refund. With the help of Section 154, you can still correct genuine mistakes and get your money back. Stay alert, act quickly, and make sure your financial rights are protected.
