Many taxpayers eagerly await their
Income Tax Return (ITR) refunds, but delays are common. If your refund hasn’t been credited yet, there are several key reasons behind the hold-up. Understanding these can help you
avoid delays in the future and track your refund effectively.
Main Reasons for ITR Refund Delays1️⃣ Incorrect bank Account Details· If your
bank account number, IFSC code, or account type was entered incorrectly in the ITR, the refund cannot be processed.· The refund may get
rejected by the bank or returned to the Income Tax Department, causing significant delays.·
Solution: Always double-check your bank details before submitting the ITR.
2️⃣ PAN-Aadhaar Not Linked· Linking
PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory for processing ITRs.· If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, the refund may
get blocked until the linkage is completed.·
Solution: Link your PAN and Aadhaar through the
Income Tax e-filing portal or the
UIDAI website.
3️⃣ High-Value Returns Under Scrutiny· Returns with
large refunds or significant deductions are often
manually verified by the Income Tax Department.· This is a
precautionary measure to prevent tax fraud or mistakes in the return.·
Solution: Keep all supporting documents handy, such as
Form 16, investment proofs, and bank statements, in case the department asks for verification.
4️⃣ Errors in ITR Filing· Mistakes such as
wrong calculation of tax, mismatched TDS, or missing details can cause the refund to be held.·
Solution: File corrections using
ITR rectification forms on the e-filing portal.
5️⃣ Technical or Processing Delays· At times, delays occur due to
high volume of returns, backend technical issues, or processing backlog at the Income Tax Department.·
Solution: Regularly check the
refund status on the
Income Tax e-filing portal.
How to Check Your Refund Status1. Visit the
Income Tax e-filing portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in2. Login with
PAN and password.3. Go to
Refund/Dashboard and check the
current status.4. You can also track refunds via
NSDL website using your PAN and assessment year.
ConclusionITR refunds can be delayed due to
incorrect bank details, PAN-Aadhaar mismatch, high-value returns under scrutiny, or filing errors. By
ensuring accurate information, linking PAN and Aadhaar, and monitoring your ITR status, you can minimize delays and receive your refund faster.
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