As the tax season for AY 2024-25 wraps up, many taxpayers are eagerly awaiting their income tax refunds. Despite processing a large number of returns, the Income Tax Department still has over 2 crore verified returns pending, leading to delays. Of the 7 crore ITRs filed by the July 31 deadline, 5.34 crore were processed by August 23.
One major reason for the delay in refunds this year is the increase in notices regarding ‘Defective ITRs’ issued by the Income Tax Department.
A defective ITR refers to a return that contains errors, inconsistencies, or incomplete information, preventing the tax department from processing it correctly. When such a defect is identified, the department sends a notice to the taxpayer under Section 139(9) of the Income Tax Act. This notice is usually sent via email to the registered address or by post and can also be viewed on the e-filing portal.
If you receive a notice about a defective ITR, you have two options:
You can also respond directly to the notice under Section 139(9). It’s crucial to address the notice promptly. Failing to do so within the given timeframe may result in your return being considered invalid for the assessment year 2024-25.
Upon receiving a defective ITR notice, you have 15 days from the date of the notice to rectify the issue. The specific deadline is usually mentioned in the notice. If necessary, you can request an extension by seeking an adjournment.
Addressing defective ITRs promptly is essential to avoid further delays in your tax refund. Regularly check your registered email and the e-filing portal to ensure you don’t miss any important notices from the Income Tax Department.
You can easily track the status of your income tax refund online through the Income Tax Department’s official website. Follow these steps:
Here, you can view the status of your income tax refund, including details such as the assessment year, current status, any reasons for refund failure, and the payment method.
By staying informed and responding promptly to any notices, you can ensure a smoother and quicker process for receiving your income tax refund.
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