Why is Your ITR Refund Delayed?

Why is Your ITR Refund Delayed and What Can You Do?

Stuck in an ITR refund delay? Learn how to check ITR refund status, interpret refund lifecycle flags, and resolve refund failures or adjustments.

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-01-13

535 Views

5 minutes read

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Tax refunds don’t come on a fixed date. Your money is released only after the Income Tax Department processes your return, matches it with its records, and successfully validates your bank account details. 

In many cases, the refund is not “stuck”; it’s either being processed, adjusted against an old demand, paused due to a mismatch, or simply waiting for backend verification. These are some of the most common reasons for ITR refund delays during peak season.

The good news: most issues are fixable once you know how to check ITR refund status the right way and respond with the correct compliance step.

Key Takeaways

 

  • ITR refunds above ₹50,000 are commonly delayed, as high-value refunds undergo stricter verification before release
  • Find the exact issue fast by using how to check ITR refund status on the e-filing portal and reading the refund remarks
  • Mismatch between ITR and AIS or 26AS, especially in TDS or interest, is a leading cause of ITR refund delays
  • ITR refund delays can also occur due to missing e-verification, bank validation errors, or tax demand adjustments
  • Even after approval, track refund progress by checking the ITR refund status to determine whether to wait or address issues

What is an ITR Refund and How Long should it take?

An ITR refund is the excess tax paid by you (via TDS, advance tax, or self-assessment tax) over and above your final tax liability, which the department returns after processing your ITR.

​As a general rule, the refunds are typically credited within 4-5 weeks after your return is e-verified. If you’re waiting beyond this window, it’s time to review the reason and take action. Even the department advises checking for intimations or discrepancies and monitoring refund status on the e-filing portal.

Top Reasons for ITR Refund Delay

If the refund clock has started but the credit hasn’t, these are the usual reasons behind an ITR refund delay:

  • ​​ITR not verified within 30 days: If you don’t e-verify (or if it is verified late), processing does not begin, the return may become invalid, and the refund is not processed.
  • ​Mismatch with AIS/Form 26AS: Differences between the ITR and department records (for example, TDS, interest, or transaction details reported in AIS/Form 26AS) can trigger additional verification and delay processing.
  • ​Bank account not pre-validated / not linked properly to PAN: Refund credits may fail or be blocked due to an invalid or closed bank account, incorrect IFSC, or incomplete bank validation as per portal requirements.
  • Unresolved notices or intimations from the Income Tax Department: If a defective return notice under Section 139(9) or an intimation proposing adjustments under Section 143(1)(a) is issued and not responded to within the prescribed timeline, the return may be treated as invalid or adjusted, and the refund can be put on hold, reduced, or delayed until the discrepancy is rectified.
  • Refund adjustment against outstanding tax demand: If the system reflects any pending tax demand from previous years, the refund may be partially or fully adjusted against that demand, which can delay or reduce the final refund credit, even if the current return is otherwise in order.

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What Causes the ITR Refund Delay for Amounts Above ₹50000?

Refunds above ₹50,000 often face delays because the Income Tax Department subjects higher-value refund claims to enhanced scrutiny to detect potential red flags and prevent fraudulent payouts before releasing funds. As indicated by the CBDT, such high-value refunds typically undergo more detailed verification, which extends processing timelines even when filings are otherwise accurate.

How to Check ITR Refund Status Online (Step-by-Step)?

To reduce anxiety and avoid guesswork, use the e-filing portal to check ITR refund status and see the exact lifecycle stage. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Sign in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal with your PAN and password
  2. ​Go to e-File and open Income Tax Returns
  3. ​Click View Filed Returns to see all returns filed by assessment year
  4. Identify the appropriate assessment year, then open View Details
  5. ​Check the refund lifecycle/status (issued/adjusted/failed, etc.) shown against the return

How to Check ITR Refund Status via the NSDL/TIN Tracker?

If you want a quick external tracker view, the Protean (NSDL/TIN) refund-status page lets you check refund status using PAN and assessment year, another reliable method for checking ITR refund status.

  1. ​Open the Protean (TIN/NSDL) “Refund Status” page
  2. ​Enter your PAN and select the assessment year
  3. ​Submit to view the displayed refund status (when available)

How to Check ITR Refund Status Using the AIS/26AS Tax Credit Statement?

Sometimes the refund movement also appears in your tax credit trail, so using Form 26AS can help you check your ITR refund status when the portal status is unclear.​

  1. Log in to the e-filing portal and open your tax credit statement (Form 26AS)
  2. ​Check whether the “refund paid” status is reflected in Form 26AS
  3. ​If it shows as paid, but your bank hasn’t received it, treat it as a post-issue credit issue and proceed with the resolution steps
trivia-img

Did You Know?

Out of around 8.80 crore ITRs filed for AY 2025–26, roughly 63 lakh returns are still pending, many of which involve refund claims


Source: Times Now

 

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Steps to Take When an ITR Refund Is Delayed

ITR refund delay can be stressful, but most holdups are traceable and fixable once the refund stage and system flags are reviewed.

  • Confirm e-verification- Check if the return is e-verified, as refund processing starts only after verification. If it has been more than 4-5 weeks, open the portal to see remarks such as "refund failed" or "refund adjusted," and act rather than wait.
  • Check alerts and intimations- Look for discrepancy notices or clarifications sent by the department. Review registered email, spam, and the e-filing inbox for pending actions, especially if the portal shows no progress.
  • Fix bank validation failures- If the status shows "refund failed," it is usually due to incorrect or unvalidated bank details. Update the bank account, ensure it is active and pre-validated, and recheck the status.
  • Review refund adjustments- A refund may be partially or fully adjusted against an outstanding tax demand. Check the demand to confirm if it is valid, paid, or needs a response. After resolution, verify whether any refund balance becomes payable.

How to Track Refund After Approval Using Refund Reference Number (RRN)?

After a refund is issued, tracking becomes easier because it moves from “processing” to “payment trail,” and the status can also be checked on PAN-based refund trackers..

  1. Once the status shows "refund issued," note the refund/payment reference details in the refund trail
  2. ​Use the PAN + assessment year refund tracker view to see the updated payment status, as it reflects
  3. ​Cross-check Form 26AS to see whether “refund paid” is reflected in your tax credit statement.

Smart Tips To Avoid ITR Refund Delay in the Future

A smoother refund largely comes down to fewer mismatches and faster verification, simple habits that prevent ITR refund delay: 

  • ​E-Verify immediately after filing, as processing begins only after e-verification.
  • ​Regularly check the ITR refund status throughout the season so you can catch “failed/adjusted” early.
  • ​Monitor your registered email for discrepancy notifications and act quickly if any are raised.
  • ​Keep your bank account details accurate and active to avoid refund failure.
  • ​Review your portal refund lifecycle status periodically rather than relying solely on SMS/rumours.

​Conclusion

An ITR refund delay is usually not a dead end; it’s a status issue, processing hasn’t started due to non-verification, a mismatch needs clarification, the refund failed due to bank validation, or it was adjusted against demand. The Income Tax Department indicates that refunds are typically credited within 4-5 weeks after e-verification, so crossing that timeline is a signal to act, not just wait.

Make it a habit to check ITR refund status on the e-filing portal first, then corroborate via the Protean/NSDL tracker and Form 26AS if needed, so you always know where your funds are in the pipeline.

 

Glossary

  1. ITR Refund: Excess income tax paid, which is returned after the tax department processes your ITR
  2. E-verification: Online verification that validates your ITR and starts processing
  3. AIS: Annual Information Statement showing your reported income, TDS, and transactions
  4. Form 26AS: Tax credit statement showing TDS/TCS, advance tax, and other tax payments
  5. Refund Reference Number (RRN): A unique number used to track a refund after it is approved/issued
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FAQs

Because the return still needs to be processed, matched with AIS/26AS/TDS data, and cleared for refund, any mismatch or pending check can delay it.

  1. Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal
  2. Go to “View Filed Returns/Income Tax Returns”
  3. Open the relevant AY return to see the refund status

It usually means bank details/validation issues (inactive account, incorrect IFSC, not pre-validated). Correct and validate your bank account, then recheck the status.

 

Yes, refunds may be reduced or fully adjusted if an outstanding tax demand exists. Review the demand details in the portal and respond if any are incorrect.

 

Wait a short time for bank processing, then track using the refund details/NSDL (Protean) tracker. If still not credited, raise a grievance on the portal with the transaction details.

Yes. If the refund is delayed, the Income Tax Department generally pays interest at 0.5% per month under Section 244A (subject to conditions), and the interest period depends on when you filed and the type of tax paid (TDS/advance tax vs self-assessment tax).

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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