ITR Refund Delay: Filed ITR in July but haven't received the refund yet? Check these 5 things immediately..

If you filed your ITR in July or August and are still awaiting a refund, there could be several reasons for the delay. Often, the Income Tax Department takes time to process returns. Delays can also occur if the income or TDS details provided in the ITR do not match the department's records. Issues related to your bank account can also be a cause. In such a situation, it is essential to first check the status of your ITR. Subsequently, you should cross-verify the details with Form 26AS, the AIS (Annual Information Statement), and your bank account information. Here are the common reasons for refund delays and the steps you should take.

Why might there be a delay in receiving the refund?
According to income tax experts, the first step is to check whether your ITR has been processed or is still 'under processing'. Additionally, refunds can be held up if there are discrepancies between the income or TDS declared in the ITR and the department's records. The refund amount might also be adjusted against outstanding tax dues from previous years. Furthermore, funds cannot be credited if the bank account has not been validated.

How to check ITR status
Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Navigate to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns.
Select the relevant assessment year to view the status of your return.
This will indicate whether the return has been processed, the refund has been issued, or the amount has been adjusted against a tax demand.

What to check if the refund hasn't arrived
First, verify whether your ITR has been e-verified. If the status is 'under processing', you must wait for the process to complete. Also, cross-check the income and TDS details provided in your ITR against Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS. Also, make sure to check the e-filing portal and your registered email for any notices or requests for additional information.

Check your bank account details as well.

The bank account designated to receive the refund must be validated and nominated for refunds on the portal. If there are any errors in the bank account details, correct them. If you have received notification that the refund has been issued by the department but the money has not reached your account, re-verify your bank details and contact the Income Tax Department if necessary.

When should you file a grievance?

If your ITR has been successfully verified and there are no errors or pending actions on your part, yet the refund has not been processed, you can file a grievance on the e-filing portal. When filing the grievance, keep details such as the assessment year, ITR acknowledgment number, dates of filing and e-verification, and the estimated refund amount handy. Save the grievance number and continue to check its status periodically.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.