An income tax refund delay nearly always traces back to one of five things: the return was not e-verified, the bank account is not pre-validated, your figures do not match AIS or Form 26AS, an old demand is being set off, or the return was picked for extra checks. Most of these you can spot and fix yourself on the portal.
Income tax department refund delays are not always bad news, because a refund due on a return filed on time earns 0.5% a month. But a refund that is stuck for a fixable reason earns nothing until you act. Start by opening the status as shown in our refund status hub, then match the message to the table below.
Quick facts
Most common cause
Bank account not pre-validated or not in your nameProcessing limit
9 months from the end of the FY of filing (143(1))Interest on delay
0.5% a month under section 244AFailed credit
Services > Refund ReissueSet-off notice
Section 245; reply within the time givenComplaint route
Grievances on the e-filing portal
Why income tax refund is delayed: the main reasons
| Reason | How to spot it | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Return not e-verified | View Filed Returns shows 'pending for verification' | E-verify now; after 30 days, apply for condonation of delay |
| Bank account not pre-validated | Refund failure, or no refund despite 'processed' | Validate the account under My Profile, then ask for reissue |
| Name or PAN mismatch with the bank | Refund failure with a mismatch reason | Update KYC at the bank so the account carries your PAN name |
| TDS claimed is not in 26AS | Intimation shows lower refund or a demand | Get the employer or payer to file a correction statement, then request rectification |
| Old demand being adjusted | Notice under section 245 in Pending Actions | Accept, or disagree with reasons, within the time allowed |
| Extra checks on high claims | Status stays 'under processing' for months | Respond quickly to any e-Proceedings request; keep proofs ready |
Income tax refund delay or a normal wait? The timeline
A salary return with TDS that matches Form 16 and AIS is often processed within a few weeks of e-verification, and the money follows within days of the intimation. Business returns, returns claiming large deductions under the old regime, and returns with many TDS entries usually take longer.
The outer limit is fixed by law. Section 143(1) gives the department nine months after the close of the FY in which you filed. A return for AY 2026-27 filed in FY 2026-27 must therefore be processed by 31 December of the following FY. Past that, the department cannot raise a 143(1) adjustment, but a refund that is due is still payable.
ITR refund not received after processed
This is the most common complaint. The intimation under 143(1) says a refund is due, yet nothing reaches the bank. Open View Details on the filed return. If it reads 'refund failed', the bank rejected the credit; the usual causes are a closed account, an account not linked with PAN, or a name that does not match. If it reads 'refund adjusted', it was used against an older demand.
Refunds go only to an account that is pre-validated on the portal and nominated for refund. Validate under My Profile > My Bank Account, then file a request under Services > Refund Reissue. A cheque is not sent.
Interest on delayed income tax refund
Interest for a long wait. Pooja filed her AY 2026-27 return on 25 July, claiming ₹62,000. It was picked for extra checks and the refund was granted on 4 February of the following year.
Step 1: she filed on time, so interest runs from 1 April. Step 2: April to February is 11 months; the part month of February counts as full. Step 3: interest is 0.5% × 11 × ₹62,000 = ₹3,410. Step 4: she receives ₹65,410 and reports the ₹3,410 as other income in the year it is credited.
If the delay is caused by you, for example a late reply to a notice, the period of that delay is left out of the interest. A late filed return earns interest only from the filing date.
Steps to push a pending refund
- Using your login on the e-filing portal, confirm the return is e-verified.
- Check My Profile > My Bank Account: the refund account must show as validated and nominated.
- Open Pending Actions for any notice under section 245 or an e-Proceedings request, and reply.
- Download the 143(1) intimation and check it against your own figures to find the change.
- If the refund failed, apply under Services > Refund Reissue.
- If nothing moves, use the Submit Grievance option in the Grievances menu, quoting the acknowledgement number.
For a wrong adjustment in the intimation, file a rectification request; the 143(1) intimation guide shows how.
Mistakes that slow a refund down
- Filing a revised return without need. The latest valid return is what gets processed, and it joins the queue again.
- Claiming deductions without proofs in the old regime, which invites a verification request.
- Using an account of a family member. The refund must go to your own account.
- Ignoring an email from the department about a mismatch. Reply on the portal, not by email.
- Calling unofficial numbers or clicking refund links in SMS messages. The official helplines are the safe route.
Refund delays have many causes and this page cannot know yours. Treat it as general guidance; the portal's own status messages, or a chartered accountant who can see your file, will give the firm answer.
Sources we checked
- Income-tax Act, 1961, section 143(1)
- Income-tax Act, 1961, section 244A
- Income-tax Act, 1961, section 245
- E-filing portal, refund reissue and grievance help pages
Frequently asked questions
Why income tax refund is delayed even though the return is processed?
Usually the bank account failed validation or the refund was adjusted against an old demand. Open View Details on the filed return to see which, then validate the account and ask for a reissue.
What is the normal itr refund time?
Most itr refund delays come from the steps above. Simple returns often get refunds within weeks of e-verification. Legally, processing can run until nine months after the close of the filing year.
Is there compensation for income tax refund delays?
Yes, interest under section 244A at 0.5% a month for each month or part month. It is not paid for periods where the delay was caused by the taxpayer.
My income tax refund is pending for months. Whom do I contact?
First check Pending Actions for any notice. If there is none, raise a grievance on the e-filing portal quoting the acknowledgement number, or call the department's helpline.
Can I still get a refund if I did not e-verify in time?
You can e-verify late and ask for condonation of the delay on the portal. Until the condonation is accepted, the department regards the return as missing.