ITR Refund 2025: Why Your Tax Refund Is Delayed and How to Check the Status

Updated: 02-07-2025, 07.37 PM

As July begins, lakhs of Indian taxpayers rush to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2024–25. While many have already filed their returns in June, several are still awaiting their income tax refunds. If you’re one of them and haven’t yet received your refund, there could be multiple reasons behind the delay. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Refunds Now Processed Faster — In Just 10 Days!

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced that the Income Tax Department has significantly improved its refund process. With automation and backend upgrades, refunds can now be processed within 10 days of filing a verified return.

Experts suggest that while some taxpayers may receive refunds within 3 days, others may experience a delay of up to 3 weeks — depending on multiple factors like verification, bank details, and return accuracy.

Common Reasons for Delay in ITR Refund

If your refund hasn’t arrived yet, it could be due to the following reasons:

Delay in Filing: Filing ITR late, especially closer to the deadline, can result in processing queues.
e-Verification Pending: If you haven’t e-verified your return, the processing won’t begin.
PAN-Aadhaar Not Linked: Non-linking of PAN with Aadhaar can halt ITR processing.
TDS Mismatch: Discrepancies between Form 26AS and your filed ITR can raise red flags.
Incorrect Bank Details: A wrong IFSC code or account number can stop the refund from being credited.
Ignoring IT Notices: If you’ve received an email or SMS from the department and failed to respond, your refund might be on hold.

How to Check Your ITR Refund Status Online

If you’re unsure whether your refund is on its way, follow these steps to check its status:

Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal and log in with your credentials.
Go to the ‘e-File’ section.
Select ‘Income Tax Returns’.
Choose the correct Assessment Year (2025–26) and form type.
Click on your ITR Acknowledgment Number.
Your refund status will be displayed. Common messages include:
- ‘Refund Issued’
- ‘Processed with refund’
- ‘No refund due’

What You Should Do to Ensure Timely Refund

To make sure your refund gets credited without delay:

Complete e-verification immediately after filing your ITR.
Link your PAN with Aadhaar, if not already done.
Update bank account details on the e-filing portal.
Cross-check TDS details with your Form 26AS before filing.
Respond promptly to any notices or emails from the tax department.

Final Words

With the Income Tax Department working to streamline refund disbursals, most taxpayers can expect a smoother experience in FY 2024–25. However, the onus is also on individuals to ensure accurate and timely filings. Keeping your documents and details in order is key to receiving your refund without complications.

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.