Did your return not come? Why is it taking longer for ITR refunds this time? Find out the real reason

Income Tax Returns: According to Income Tax Department data, 50.1 million returns had been processed as of September 22. This means that more than 10 million returns remain unprocessed.

Income Tax Return Delay: The deadline for filing income tax returns has passed. The Income Tax Department has 134.9 million individual registered users. As of September 16, 75.8 million returns have been filed for the assessment year 2025-26. This time, ITR refunds are taking longer to arrive. Some people filed their returns in June-July, but their refunds have not yet arrived.

Experts say that the main reason for the delay in refunds this time is that the Income Tax Department has increased its focus on verification and scrutiny procedures. Returns with large refund amounts, significant deduction claims, or exemptions are being scrutinized more frequently.

Taxpayers may have to wait

According to Income Tax Department data, 50.1 million returns had been processed as of September 22nd. This means that over 10 million returns remain unprocessed. Experts believe that taxpayers may have to wait longer for refunds. One taxpayer, who filed his return well before September, said he filed his return in June, but the refund has not yet arrived. He is at a loss as to why the refund is taking so long.

Why is there a delay in ITR refund?

Media reports, quoting Tarun Garg, Director of Deloitte India, say that the main reason for the delay in refunds this time is the Income Tax Department's tightening of the verification and scrutiny process. Returns with larger refund amounts, high deduction claims, or exemptions are being scrutinized more thoroughly. Mismatches with TDS data, incorrect bank account information, and delays in e-verification also slow down return processing.

Tarun Garg says that typically, returns for ordinary salaried individuals take two to five weeks to process after e-verification. Returns that include capital gains, foreign assets, or significant deductions take longer to process.

PC:NBT