Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is a crucial responsibility for every taxpayer. While getting a tax refund is always welcome, waiting endlessly without receiving it can cause frustration. If you have submitted your ITR on time for the assessment year 2025-26 but haven’t received your refund yet, several usual mistakes could be causing this delay.
Key Reasons Behind ITR Refund Delays
- Not Completing E-Verification: Submitting the ITR alone isn’t enough. You must verify your return electronically for the tax authorities to process it. Without this step, your refund will not even be initiated.
- Issues with PAN and Aadhaar Linking: Linking your PAN card with Aadhaar is mandatory. If there’s any mismatch like differences in name spelling or date of birth between the two documents, the linking process fails. Without proper linking, your refund is held back.
- Mismatch in Documents: If there’s inconsistency between your Form 26AS, Form 16, and Annual Information Statement, it raises red flags. For example, if a Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) entry reflects in Form 26AS but isn’t reported in your ITR, the tax department may pause the refund and seek clarification.
- Incorrect Bank Details: A refund is credited directly to the bank account provided during filing. Errors such as wrong account numbers, incorrect IFSC codes, or unverified bank accounts registered with the tax portal can cause delays.
- Suspicion of Incorrect Claims: Claims for deductions or exemptions without proper documentation can trigger additional investigations. In cases where large refunds are claimed, the department may hold the refund while verifying the authenticity of the details.
How to Avoid These Mistakes and Speed Up Your Refund
Make sure to e-verify your ITR promptly after filing to kickstart the refund process. Confirm that your PAN is correctly linked with your Aadhaar and that all personal details match perfectly. Double-check your tax documents—Form 16, Form 26AS, and AIS—to ensure consistency in reported income and deductions. Lastly, provide accurate and verified bank account details to avoid any hiccups in receiving your refund.
By being attentive and meticulous in these areas, you can significantly reduce the chances of refund delays and smoothen your income tax return process.
