Sneha filed her ITR on 28 July. e-Verified the same day. Last year refund came in 11 days. This year — 6 weeks, nothing. "Did I do something wrong?"
Usually no. The status page reveals the actual block. 9 times out of 10 it's a fixable issue.
- Normal refund timeline: 2-6 weeks after e-verification.
- Check status: incometax.gov.in → e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns → click your AY.
- Top 5 delays: bank validation failed · refund failed · ITR under processing · adjustment notice · adjusted against past dues.
- Beyond 60 days delay → 6% annual interest payable to you by govt (Sec 244A).
The 5 reasons (and fixes)
Refund only goes to pre-validated bank account linked to PAN. Login → Profile → Bank Account → Add & Validate. PAN name must exactly match bank name.
Account closed, IFSC changed, account dormant. Status shows "refund failure". Validate new account and submit Refund Reissue Request on portal.
Normal. CPC takes 7-45 days. Wait. If > 60 days, raise grievance via e-Nivaran.
System found a discrepancy. Refund reduced or eliminated. Check email + portal for 143(1). Reply via rectification under Sec 154 if disagree.
You had a demand from an earlier AY. System auto-adjusts current refund against it. Notice under 245 sent — check portal. 30 days to respond if you contest.
How to check refund status (60 seconds)
- Login at incometax.gov.in
- e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns
- Click the AY → view detailed status
- Alternative: e-Pay Tax → Refund Status
- Or: NSDL portal at tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refund-status-pan.html (PAN + AY)
Bank validation — the biggest cause
If your bank account name says "S Sharma" but PAN says "Sneha Sharma" — validation fails. Get bank to update the account name to exactly match PAN. Until then, refund just won't release. Most common single cause of delays.
Refund Reissue Request (when refund failed)
Profile → Bank Account → Add → confirm via OTP / pre-validation.
Pick AY where refund failed.
Re-issue queued. Typically credited within 15-30 days.
Interest under Section 244A — 6% on government
If refund is delayed beyond 60 days from ITR processing, government owes you 6% per annum simple interest on the refund amount, until paid. Automatic — no application needed. Shows in the refund order.
Refunds aren't lost — they're stuck. 80% of delays are bank-validation issues that take 5 minutes to fix. Check status first; assume worst last.
When to escalate
👉 60-90 days delay: e-Nivaran grievance (Services → e-Nivaran → Submit Grievance).
👉 90+ days: CPGRAMS (national grievance portal) + grievance to Jurisdictional Officer.
👉 6+ months stuck: Right to Information (RTI) for status detail; escalate to Ombudsman of the IT department.
Quick answers
NSDL says refund processed but bank shows nothing? Could be in transit (2-3 days). If > 7 days, call your bank with refund order number + UTR. Often a bank-end posting delay.
No. Once it fails at bank end, status updates. Submit Refund Reissue Request with new validated account. Re-credited.
You have 30 days to respond. Reply via portal disputing the underlying demand. If officer agrees, refund released. If disputed legitimately old demand — settle that first.
Yes — PAN becomes "inoperative" if Aadhaar not linked. Refund won't release. Link Aadhaar (pay ₹1,000 fee if past deadline) then refund processes.
Yes — ITR isn't "filed" until e-verified. Window: 30 days. After that, return marked invalid. e-Verify via Aadhaar OTP / EVC / DSC immediately.
When you might want help
Bank validation, reissue requests — DIY. Where help pays off: 245 adjustments against old demands (need to dispute the underlying), 143(1) corrections via rectification, and chronic delays needing escalation to ombudsman.
Refund stuck > 60 days?
WhatsApp us your AY + acknowledgment. We trace the block within 24 hours.