Why Hasn’t Your Income Tax Refund Arrived Yet? Expected Timeline, Reasons for Delay, and How to Track It

Income Tax Refund FY 2024-25:
Many taxpayers are anxiously waiting for their income tax refunds but are facing delays this year. Complaints on social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), reflect the growing frustration of individuals whose ITR status still shows “under processing.”

The delay in refund credit can happen for several reasons—ranging from unverified bank accounts to mismatched PAN-Aadhaar details. While waiting is stressful, understanding the refund process can help you know when to expect your money and how to fix issues if stuck.

Why Is Your Income Tax Refund Delayed?

There are multiple reasons your refund might not have been credited yet:

1. Bank account not pre-validated – Refunds are processed only into pre-validated accounts.
2. Name mismatch – If your bank account name does not match your PAN details, the refund can get stuck.
3. Invalid IFSC code – Even a minor error in the IFSC code may block credit.
4. Closed bank account – If the mentioned account is inactive, your refund won’t go through.
5. PAN not linked with Aadhaar – Since PAN becomes inoperative without Aadhaar linkage, refunds automatically stop until this is resolved.
6. ITR not verified – Your return is considered invalid if not e-verified within 30 days of filing.

Many taxpayers expressed their frustration over refund delays on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

@IncomeTaxIndia @nsitharaman @PMOIndia @indianrightwing
My humble and kind request to income tax department. I need my tds refund as I need to pay my rent. I have no fund with me. Why we common people are suffering. Why such delay. Please process my return🙏🙏. My humble request pic.twitter.com/o6Xqz1mOrY

— kk (@captk1990) July 16, 2025

I think @IncomeTaxIndia doing this to mislead the taxpayers and latter wants collect penalty and deny TDS credit.

It's from past 7 to 8 days situation of #Incometax Filing portal.

Madam @nsitharaman you are going to present budget as @FinMinIndia in 10 days, are proud of this? pic.twitter.com/s66c2VjKON

— Basu-CA & RV (@Basappamv) July 12, 2024

@IncomeTaxIndia Portal status update:
🔴 Challan paid but not reflecting
🔴 AIS/TIS refusing to open
🔴 26AS missing in action
🔴 Uploaded JSON,ITR disappeared
🔴 Login = lottery ticket
But yes, deadlines remain sacred. Extension, anyone? 🙃 #Extend_Due_Date_Immediately

— Manish Sharma (@manishca7) September 12, 2025

Q1. When Can You Expect an ITR Refund?

According to tax experts, once you e-verify your ITR, the Income Tax Department begins processing it.

• Typical timeline: 2–5 weeks for most taxpayers.
• Simple cases: Quicker refund processing.
• High refund amounts or mismatched details: May take longer due to additional scrutiny.

Q2. How to Check Your ITR Refund Status Online

You can easily track your refund on the Income Tax Portal:

Step 1: Visit www.incometax.gov.in and log in using PAN and password.
Step 2: From the menu, go to Services → Know Your Refund Status.
Step 3: Under the e-File tab, click Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
Step 4: Select the relevant Assessment Year to view refund status.

Q3. What If Your Refund Is Above ₹50,000?

There is no limit on the refund amount. Even refunds above ₹50,000 are processed normally. However, large amounts sometimes go through extra backend verification, which can slightly delay credit.

💡 Tip: Always double-check your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details to avoid rejection.

Q4. When Can You Claim a TDS Refund?

You can claim a TDS refund only by filing and e-verifying your ITR for the relevant year. Refunds are issued when the TDS deducted exceeds your actual tax liability.

📌 Pro tip: Before filing, check your Form 26AS or Annual Information Statement (AIS) to ensure TDS details match. If errors exist, ask the deductor to correct them first.

Q5. Is There a Maximum Limit on Tax Refunds?

There is no upper cap on tax refunds. Any excess tax paid (via TDS, advance tax, or self-assessment tax) will be refunded.

If there is a delay, the Income Tax Department also pays interest at 0.5% per month on the refund amount.

Final Thoughts

Delays in income tax refunds are common, but most cases get resolved within weeks once verification is complete. To avoid unnecessary delays:

• Always link your PAN with Aadhaar.
• Ensure bank details are valid and pre-validated.
• Complete ITR e-verification within 30 days of filing.

If your refund is stuck beyond 6–8 weeks, you may raise a query via the Income Tax Portal or contact the CPC helpline.

Read More:Income Tax: 5 Common Mistakes Taxpayers Make While Filing ITR and How to Avoid Them