Why is there a delay in getting a refund after filing your ITR? Find out how many days it will take to receive the money..

ITR Refund: The last date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) was September 16, 2025. By this date, most taxpayers had filed their returns and are now eagerly awaiting their tax refunds. However, refunds are often delayed, and people are often at a loss as to why.

Before a refund is received, your ITR must been accepted and processed by the Income Tax Department. If any discrepancies are found in the filed return, the department will send you a message or notice, which must be responded to.

How many days does it take to receive a refund after filing an ITR?
The refund process begins when your ITR is e-verified. Typically, the money is credited directly to your bank account within four to five weeks of filing. However, sometimes refunds can be received even sooner if all your details match the information available on the Income Tax portal, such as AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS.

Refunds are now being processed much faster than before. In simple cases, tax refunds can be received within 7 days. However, in cases involving business income, capital gains, or various deductions, additional scrutiny is required, which can take two to four weeks.

Refunds Arrive Within 2 to 5 Weeks
After e-verification, the Income Tax Department begins processing returns. Refunds are typically processed within 2 to 5 weeks. Returns with correct information and small amounts are cleared quickly, while returns with larger amounts or errors may take longer.

How to Check ITR Refund Status?
If your refund doesn't arrive within the stipulated time, you should definitely check its status. To do this, follow these steps:

First, go to www.incometax.gov.in and log in with your PAN and password. Please note that your PAN must be linked to Aadhaar.
From the top menu, go to "Services" and click on "Know your Refund Status."
Now, under the e-File tab, select Income Tax Returns and then View Filed Returns.
The refund status for your desired assessment year will be displayed here.
Common Reasons for ITR Refund Delay

There may be several reasons for a delayed refund, including:

The bank account is not pre-validated.

The name on the bank account is different from the name on the PAN card.

Entering an incorrect or invalid IFSC code.

The account mentioned in the ITR is closed.

The PAN card is not linked to Aadhaar.

If your ITR has been e-verified and all details are correct, your tax refund will typically be credited to your bank account within 2 to 5 weeks. If there's a delay, first check whether your bank account and PAN are linked to Aadhaar and check the refund status on the ITR portal.

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