Tax Refund Delay: Your ITR Refund Still Pending? Know Reasons Why, Whom To Contact And How To Check Status?

A huge number of taxpayers are still struggling to receive their income tax refund. Data from PDICAI revealed that approximately 8.80 crore income tax returns were filed as of January 2026 for assessment year 2025-26. However, only 8.15 crore returns have been issued so far, which leaves at least 53 lakh returns pending. As per the Income Tax Department guidelines, it generally takes 4 weeks to 5 weeks to credit a refund to a taxpayer's account.

Why Is Your Refund Delayed?

1. One of the major reasons that has come into light is that the Income Tax department officials are cross-checking returns with Annual Information Statement (AIS) and other financial data when the income tax refund amount is high. The aim is to ensure accuracy and eliminate any errors related to refund.

2. For the Assessment Year 2025-26, the IT department introduced data-driven NUDGE (Non- intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable) Campaign which is to improve voluntary compliance, promote accurate reporting and enhance revenue mobilization. NUDGE is to facilitate correct reporting in Schedule Foreign Assets (FA) and Foreign Source Income (FSI) in ITRs. Accurate and complete disclosure of foreign assets and income is a statutory requirement under the Income-tax Act.

3. Another key reason is the extended deadline for filing Income Tax Returns in 2025. This led to a new all-time high in ITR filing and hence the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) is managing the influx.

4. Apart from the above, some of the common reasons to why ITR refund is taking time are mismatches and errors in filing. For instance it is compulsory to pre-validate your bank accounts which is pivotal for EVC (electronic verification code) for e-Verification purpose. Also, if the bank account mentioned in the ITR is closed or inactive.

5. If the name mentioned in your bank account does not matches with your PAN card details, then your ITR could be delayed.

6. If you have an invalid IFSC code, the IT department may hold your refund until your rectify the problem.

How To Check ITR Refund Status?

ITR Refund Status On Income Tax Portal:

Step 1: Visit the e-filing website https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/

Step 2: Click on the Login button and enter your PAN details and password.

Step 3: Upon successful login, the user will land on the Home Page. On the Taskbar of the Home page, click on e-file --> Income Tax Returns --> View Filed Returns

Step 4: Complete timeline of the Income Tax Returns filed by the user will be displayed Assessment Year wise in which Refund status for particular AY will be reflected.

Check ITR Refund Status On NSDL:

Step 1: Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refund-status-pan.html

Step 2: Enter PAN and Assessment Year and click on Proceed

Step 3: Refund status will be displayed.

Whom To Contact If Your Refund Is Delayed?

If you have not received your ITR refund for a longer duration from the date of filing, you can contact Centralised Processing Centre (CPC). For this, largest PSU bank, State Bank of India acts as the official refund banker.

Timings: Working Hours (Call centre) 08 AM to 08 PM - Monday to Friday

Working Hours (Call centre) 09 AM to 06 PM - (On Saturdays)

Helpline Numbers:

1800 103 0025

1800 419 0025

[phone]

[phone]

How To Raise Grievance At Income Tax Portal:

Another process is to raise a grievance at the Income Tax portal.

Step 1: Go to the e-Filing portal and click login.

Step 2: On login Page enter your User ID and Password.

Step 3: On your Dashboard, Go to Grievances Menu > Submit Grievance.

Step 4: On the Grievance page, select relevant Department.

What Is Income Tax Refund?

Income tax refund means a refund amount that is initiated by the income tax department if the amount paid in taxes exceeds the actual amount due (either by way of TDS or TCS or Advance Tax or Self-Assessment Tax). The tax is calculated after taking into consideration all the deductions and exemptions at the time of assessment by income tax department.