ITR Refund Delay 2025: Filed Your Return but Haven't Received Refund Yet? Here's What You Should Do

If your Income Tax Return (ITR) status shows as “Processed” but the refund has still not been credited to your account, you’re not alone. Many taxpayers across the country are facing similar delays this year. While the Income Tax Department has processed most returns swiftly, refund disbursement delays have become a common concern for several individuals.

Here’s a detailed look at why your ITR refund might be delayed, and the steps you can take to ensure it reaches you as soon as possible.

1. Refund Processed But Not Credited? Here's Why

When your ITR status shows “Processed”, it simply means that the Income Tax Department has verified your return. However, refund credit is a separate step, handled by the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) through the State Bank of India (SBI), which is responsible for disbursing refunds.

Common reasons for delay include:

• Incorrect bank details: If your bank account number, IFSC code, or name doesn’t match the one linked with your PAN or Aadhaar, the refund cannot be credited.

• Bank account not pre-validated: Only pre-validated and linked accounts can receive refunds.

• Technical delays at the bank: Sometimes, the transaction is initiated but fails due to internal banking issues or system downtime.

• Outstanding tax dues: If any previous year’s tax is pending, the department may adjust your refund against that amount.

• Manual verification required: In some cases, the return might be flagged for additional verification, especially when large claims or mismatched data are involved.

2. Check Your ITR Refund Status Online

You can easily track your refund through two official portals:

a) Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in

Log in using your PAN and password

Go to “View Filed Returns”

Click on “View Details” to see refund status

b) TIN-NSDL Refund Tracking Portal

Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.html

Enter your PAN and the relevant assessment year

The portal will display whether the refund has been sent, failed, or is under process

3. What to Do If Refund Is Failed or Delayed

If your refund has not been received within a reasonable time after processing, here are the steps you can take:

• ✅ Recheck bank account details: Log in to the e-filing portal → Profile → My Bank Accounts → Ensure your account is pre-validated and active.

• 📞 Contact SBI Refund Helpdesk: If your refund was issued but not credited, you can contact SBI at 1800-425-9760 or email itro@sbi.co.in for assistance.

• 💬 Raise a Grievance Online: Go to e-Nivaran on the Income Tax portal and lodge a complaint under “Refund/Rectification” category.

• 🧾 Check for Demand Adjustments: Go to “Pending Actions → Response to Outstanding Demand” to see if your refund was adjusted against unpaid taxes.

4. How to Avoid Refund Delays in the Future

To ensure your future refunds arrive without any hassle, follow these simple tips:

• Link your PAN with Aadhaar and keep both updated

• Use an active, pre-validated bank account for refunds

• File your ITR early to avoid last-minute system load

• Double-check income details, deductions, and tax credits before submission

• Keep your communication address and email ID updated for alerts and notifications

5. When to Contact the Income Tax Department

If it has been over 30 days since your ITR was processed and your refund hasn’t arrived, you should reach out to the Income Tax Department’s CPC Bangalore via:

📧 Email: cpc@incometax.gov.in
☎️ Helpline: 1800-103-4455

Provide your PAN, assessment year, acknowledgment number, and bank details for quicker resolution.

Bottom Line

A delayed ITR refund can be frustrating, but in most cases, it’s due to minor technical or verification issues. By checking your refund status, verifying your bank account, and contacting the right authorities, you can usually get your refund without much delay.

The key takeaway — make sure your bank details are accurate and pre-validated, and always keep track of your ITR updates online. That’s the surest way to ensure your refund reaches your account quickly and smoothly.