Mr. Anupam filed his return in July and now keeps wondering what will land in his inbox — a refund, a notice, a demand, or something else altogether. The uncertainty is real.
Each time he logs in to check the status, the portal still displays “Return Submitted,” leaving him more puzzled than before. Like many others, he keeps calling his Chartered Accountant for an update, who himself is buried under tax audit deadlines.
Let’s help Mr. Anupam — and thousands of taxpayers like him — understand what happens after filing the return, how the process works, and why refunds are being delayed this year.
1. Journey After Filing the ITR : Once Mr. Anupam clicks “Submit,” his return doesn’t just vanish into the system — it begins its digital journey to the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru.
Here, the system cross-verifies the details reported in the ITR with information already available in the database — such as Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary).
2. ITR Processing Timeline : If everything matches perfectly — income, TDS, and taxes paid — the return is usually processed within a few weeks. However, even a small mismatch or missing data can put the return on hold for additional verification.
The Income Tax Department has a maximum time limit of nine months from the end of the financial year in which the return is filed, to complete the processing. For example, for a return filed for FY 2024–25, the processing deadline is 31 December 2026.
3. Factors Behind the Delay This Year : This year, taxpayers like Mr. Anupam have noticed an unusual delay in ITR processing and refund credit. The reason isn’t inefficiency — it’s the enhanced data verification layers and ongoing system upgrades. The Income Tax Department has been strengthening its automated checks to ensure every refund issued is accurate and backed by verified data.
ITRs claiming refunds above a certain threshold are undergoing additional automated validation and risk-assessment checks at CPC. These checks are designed to prevent incorrect refund claims and ensure accuracy — though they may sometimes take extra time.
The threshold for enhanced reviews varies depending on the taxpayer category.
4. Smart Steps to Ensure Smooth Processing: While the delay can be frustrating, a few simple steps can help ensure smooth processing — and prevent refund from getting stuck for avoidable reasons.
(a) Check ITR Status Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal → e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
(b) Track Refund Status When the return status shows “Processed” and a refund is expected, the next step is to track the refund.
Visit the e-Filing Portal Refund/Demand Status section and:
1. Check the bank account number and IFSC code.
2. If the details are correct but the refund isn’t credited, submit a Refund Reissue Request.
3. Once submitted, the refund will be initiated automatically.
(c) Verify Bank Account : Ensure the bank account selected for refund is per-validated and linked with the correct PAN. Refunds are now issued only through such validated accounts.
A mismatch in bank details or an unverified account can hold back even a processed return.
(d) Recheck Form 26AS and AIS :Review Form 26AS and AIS to confirm that all TDS and income details match what was reported in the return. If a mismatch is noticed, you can either revise the return or wait for automatic reconciliation by CPC.
(e) Still Waiting? Contact CPC or Raise a Grievance :If there’s no movement even after several weeks: Call CPC Helplines: 1800 103 0025, 1800 419 0025, +91-80-46122000, +91-80-61464700 Raise Online Grievance: Use this link on the e-filing portal.
Persistent delays can also be escalated via CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) — an online platform available 24×7 for citizens to lodge grievances with public authorities. Many taxpayers have received prompt responses by sharing their PAN and acknowledgment number.
Conclusion : Delays in ITR processing and refund credit can test a taxpayer’s patience — but most cases eventually get resolved once verification is complete. Today’s system is more data-driven than ever, designed to ensure every refund is accurate and genuine. While automation and multiple verification layers may slow the process, they also ensure greater transparency and accountability. For those still waiting, sometimes the best approach is simply to stay calm and keep an eye on the portal.
Patience pays — and so does staying informed.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only.
The author can be reached at: caanitabhadra@gmail.com
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