Summary
Filing your income tax return (ITR) on time brings peace of mind—and often a much-awaited refund. But for thousands of taxpayers in 2025, the relief is on hold as refunds remain stuck longer than expected. Despite significant upgrades in the Income Tax Department’s systems, many individuals are facing delays due to new scrutiny rules, technical mismatches, and pending verifications.
If you’ve filed your ITR but haven’t received your refund yet, here’s everything you need to know—along with practical steps to resolve the issue before the 15 September 2025 deadline.
Why Are ITR Refunds Delayed in 2025?
The Income Tax Department processes most refunds within 4–5 weeks after e-filing. Many taxpayers receive refunds in just a few days, while others wait up to a month. However, by August 2025, only 37% of filed returns had been processed, leaving a large number of refunds pending.
Key reasons for delays include:
- Enhanced scrutiny for returns with high refunds, large transactions, or mismatched details.
- Non-validated bank accounts or outdated IFSC codes due to bank mergers.
- Incorrect account numbers entered during ITR filing.
- Data mismatches between ITR, Form 26AS, AIS, or TIS records.
- Refunds adjusted against outstanding tax dues under Section 245.
- Returns flagged as defective under Section 139(9).
- Incomplete e-verification or technical glitches on the portal.
New ITR Filing Deadlines for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26)
The Income Tax Department has extended the original ITR filing deadline from 31 July 2025 to 15 September 2025 for most taxpayers. Here’s the updated schedule:
| Category of Taxpayer | New Due Date |
|---|---|
| Individuals / HUF / AOP / BOI (no audit) | 15 September 2025 |
| Businesses requiring audit | 31 October 2025 |
| Transfer pricing reports (international/domestic transactions) | 30 November 2025 |
| Revised return | 31 December 2025 |
| Belated return | 31 December 2025 |
| Updated return | 31 March 2030 |
Missing the deadlines may lead to interest at 1% per month on unpaid tax under Section 234A and late fees up to ₹5,000 under Section 234F.
How to Fix Pending ITR Refund Issues
Tax experts recommend the following steps if your refund hasn’t been credited yet:
- Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal regularly to track your ITR status.
- Pre-validate your bank account with updated IFSC codes to avoid payment failures.
- Reconcile your ITR with Form 26AS and AIS to prevent mismatches.
- Respond promptly to any income tax notices or defect flags under Section 139(9).
- Request refund reissue if the initial attempt failed due to incorrect bank details.
- Clear any outstanding tax dues to prevent refund adjustments under Section 245.
- If unresolved, raise a grievance online or contact the Aaykar Sampark Kendra helpline.
Pro Tips for Faster ITR Refunds in the Future
- Always e-verify your ITR immediately after filing.
- Use the latest IFSC code post-bank mergers.
- Ensure income details, TDS, and deductions match across ITR, AIS, and Form 26AS.
- File early to avoid last-minute system backlogs.
ITR Refund Final Word
With the 15 September 2025 deadline approaching, taxpayers must ensure accurate filing, pre-validated bank accounts, and prompt resolution of mismatches to avoid refund delays. For those still waiting, following the above steps can help unlock pending refunds and prevent penalties later.
Note: All information and images used in this content are sourced from Google. They are used here for informational and illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on ITR Refund Delays and Deadlines
1. Why is my income tax refund for FY 2024–25 still not credited?
Refunds may be delayed due to enhanced scrutiny by the Income Tax Department, data mismatches between your ITR and Form 26AS/AIS, unvalidated bank accounts, incorrect IFSC codes, or pending tax dues under Section 245. Manual review for high-value refunds can also slow down the process.
2. How long does it usually take to get an ITR refund after filing?
Typically, refunds are processed within 4–5 weeks of filing. Many taxpayers receive refunds in 7–10 days, but those flagged for scrutiny or having mismatched data may face longer delays.
3. What steps can I take to check my ITR refund status?
Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal, go to the “Refund/Demand Status” section, and review the latest updates. If there’s any issue, you can request a refund reissue or raise a grievance online.
4. How do I avoid ITR refund delays in the future?
- Pre-validate your bank account with the latest IFSC code.
- Ensure your ITR matches Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS data.
- Clear all pending tax dues in advance.
- E-verify your ITR immediately after filing.
- File early to avoid last-minute processing backlogs.
5. What is the extended due date for filing ITR for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26)?
The new deadline for most individual taxpayers is 15 September 2025. For businesses requiring audits, the due date is 31 October 2025, and for transfer pricing cases, it’s 30 November 2025. Revised and belated returns can be filed until 31 December 2025.
6. What happens if I miss the ITR filing deadline?
If you miss the deadline, you may:
- Pay 1% monthly interest on unpaid taxes under Section 234A.
- Pay a late fee of ₹5,000 if your income exceeds ₹5 lakh or ₹1,000 if it is below ₹5 lakh under Section 234F.
7. How can I request a refund reissue if my initial refund failed?
If your refund failed due to invalid bank details or mismatched information, log in to the e-filing portal, go to “Refund Reissue Request,” update your bank details, and submit the request for processing.
8. Can pending tax dues affect my refund?
Yes, refunds can be adjusted against previous tax dues under Section 245 of the Income Tax Act. The department usually informs you via email or SMS before making such adjustments.
9. What should I do if my ITR is flagged as defective?
If your return is marked defective under Section 139(9), log in to the portal, review the defect notice, correct the errors in your ITR, and re-file it within the stipulated timeline to resume refund processing.
10. Where can I seek help if my refund is still delayed?
You can contact the Aaykar Sampark Kendra helpline or raise a grievance through the Income Tax e-filing portal with your PAN, assessment year, and refund details for faster resolution.