ITR Refunds Delayed? Here’s What’s Really Going On — CBDT Chairman Shares an Important Update
If you’ve been refreshing your income-tax portal hoping to finally see that “Refund Issued” message… you’re definitely not the only one. This year, a surprising number of taxpayers are still waiting for their refunds, even though they filed their returns well before the deadline.
To clear the confusion, the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently shared what’s causing the slowdown — and what taxpayers can expect next. Here’s a simple, reader-friendly breakdown.
🔍 Why ITR Refunds Are Delayed This Year
1. High-value refunds are being rechecked
The biggest reason behind the delay? The department is reviewing refund claims that appear unusually large. These high-value refunds get flagged by the automated system and undergo additional verification.
This doesn’t mean there’s something wrong — just that the claim needs an extra layer of checking.
2. Many deductions don’t match official records
A large number of ITRs this year showed deductions or claims that didn’t align with information in Form 26AS, AIS, or TDS data.
When the system finds a mismatch, processing gets paused until the taxpayer clarifies the details or submits a corrected ITR.
3. Bank account or personal info issues
Sometimes it’s not the tax filing that’s the problem — it’s the bank account.
Refunds get stuck if:
The bank account isn’t pre-validated
Details don’t match the PAN
The account was closed or inactive
A simple correction often solves this.
4. Backend processing delays
With millions of returns filed in a short window, some slowdown is inevitable.
The department prioritizes simple, low-value refunds first, while more complex cases take longer.
5. Fewer refunds are being issued overall
According to the CBDT chairman, the total volume of refunds issued this year is lower than last year. Revised TDS structures and fewer large claims mean refunds are being reviewed more carefully and processed more gradually.
🕒 So When Will You Get Your Refund?
Here’s the encouraging part:
Smaller refunds and straightforward ITRs are already being processed.
Refunds flagged for review are expected to be cleared over the next few weeks.
If your case needs clarification, you’ll likely receive a prompt on the income-tax portal.
In short: the system isn’t stuck — it’s simply being more careful.
📌 If Your Refund Is Delayed, Do This Immediately
✔️ Check your ITR status
Log into the income-tax portal and see if there’s a message asking for action or clarification.
✔️ Verify your bank details
Ensure your refund account is active, correct, and pre-validated.
✔️ Check for mismatched numbers
If your AIS or 26AS doesn’t match the income/deductions you claimed, a revised return may be required.
✔️ Respond quickly to any notices
Even a small delay in response can slow refund processing.
✍️ Shaurya Arora
