If you have filed your income tax return and keep refreshing your bank balance, you are not alone. For many taxpayers, the wait for a refund can feel uncertain and stressful. The good news is that checking your income tax refund status online is simple, and understanding the reasons for delays can help ease the worry.
WHY YOUR INCOME TAX REFUND MAY STILL BE PENDING
Refund delays usually happen when the Income Tax Department needs extra time to verify details shared by taxpayers. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has clarified that returns showing possible incorrect deduction claims are being reviewed carefully.
In cases where information is missing or unclear, taxpayers are being asked to file revised returns. The department has also said that smaller refund amounts are being cleared first, while the remaining refunds are likely to be processed by December 2025.
CA (Dr) Suresh Surana explains that delays beyond 90 days are fairly common. He says, “Refunds are often delayed beyond 90 days due to a combination of procedural, verification, and compliance-related factors. The most common reason is mismatch or inconsistency in data, such as discrepancies between the income, tax deducted at source, or advance tax reported in the return and those reflected in Form 26AS, AIS, or TIS.”
He adds that refunds may also be delayed if a return is picked up for detailed scrutiny or verification by the Centralised Processing Centre or the assessing officer. “Incomplete or incorrect bank account details, non-validation of bank accounts for refund credit, or PAN–Aadhaar linkage issues can further postpone processing,” Surana says.
He also points out that refunds can be adjusted against old tax dues under Section 245 of the Income Tax Act, and system-related issues during peak filing periods may slow things down.
HOW TO CHECK ITR REFUND STATUS ON THE E-FILING PORTAL
The most direct way to track your refund is through the income tax e-filing website. Visit incometax.gov.in and log in using your user ID and password.
After logging in, go to the e-File section, select Income Tax Returns and then click on View Filed Returns. Choose the relevant assessment year to see your refund status. By clicking on View Details, you can see the full progress of your return, from submission to processing.
CHECKING INCOME TAX REFUND STATUS USING PAN
If you want a quicker check, you can track your refund using your PAN on the TIN website. After entering your PAN number and selecting the assessment year, the refund status appears on the screen.
This option is useful if you only want to know whether your refund has been issued or is still under processing.
Meanwhile, a delayed income tax refund does not always mean there is a problem. In most cases, it is simply part of the verification process. Keeping your return accurate, ensuring bank details are correct, and regularly checking the status online can help you stay informed and avoid last-minute surprises.
