Waiting for an Income Tax refund can be stressful, especially when your ITR shows as ‘Processed’ but the money hasn’t hit your bank account yet. While most refunds are credited promptly, delays can occur due to various reasons.
Here’s a clear guide to understanding why your refund may be delayed and what steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Even after your ITR is processed, refunds may not reflect immediately. Common reasons include:
Incorrect bank details or IFSC code: Any mismatch in your bank account information can hold up the transfer.
Discrepancies in TDS or tax credits: Errors in reported TDS or other tax credits can cause delays.
Processing time: Even after approval, refunds may take 15 to 30 days to be credited.
Bank or technical issues: Sometimes, the delay is due to banking or NSDL processing timelines.
It’s a good idea to cross-check your bank details and Form 26AS to ensure everything matches the Income Tax records.
If your refund hasn’t been credited, follow these steps:
Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal
Navigate to the Refund/Demand Status section.
Verify your bank account number and IFSC code.
If the details are correct but the refund is still pending, submit a Refund Reissue Request.
After submitting the request, the refund will be reissued to your account.
If the RFD (Refund File Dispatch) code is visible on the portal but the refund hasn’t arrived:
Contact NSDL or your bank branch for assistance.
Refunds are usually credited within 15 to 30 days after processing, but delays can happen due to technical reasons.
Taxpayers with income from salary, bank interest, or other common sources—and who fall under the non-audit category—generally receive refunds faster. These individuals file returns by entering their income, deductions, and TDS details directly on the portal, reducing processing time.
For Assessment Year 2025-26, the last date to file ITR for most taxpayers was 16th September 2025. The government extended the deadline twice this year—initially from July 31 to September 15, and then by one additional day.
For audit cases, the deadline remains 31st October 2025.
If your refund is delayed despite your ITR being processed, don’t panic. Verify your details on the portal, submit a reissue request if needed, and contact NSDL or your bank for further assistance. Most refunds are credited within a few weeks once these steps are followed.
How can we help? *
