ITR Filing: If you are filing ITR yourself, then do not forget to do one thing after filing, otherwise your refund may get stuck. Know the reasons for ITR refund getting stuck and the complete process to check the status.
ITR Filing: The season of filing Income Tax Return (ITR) has started. If you have not filed ITR yet, then you have time till 15 September 2025 (Last Date to file ITR). Many people get ITR filed by CA, while some people prefer to file Income Tax themselves. If you are filing your income tax return yourself this time, then it is a good thing, because it will also increase your understanding of finance. But, just filling and submitting the ITR form is not enough. There is a small step after filing, which is necessary to complete. If you ignore it, then your tax refund may get stuck. Know about this.
E-Verification is necessary after filing ITR
E-Verification is the most important part of the process of filing ITR, but many times people ignore it by mistake. Many times those who file ITR for the first time are not aware of it. But until you e-verify your return, your filing process is considered incomplete in the eyes of the Income Tax Department.
What is this and why is it important?
E-Verification is a digital way by which you confirm that all the information given in the ITR is correct and it has been filed by you. Without this, the department will not process your return and your refund will be stuck indefinitely. After filing ITR, you have to e-verify it within 30 days. If you miss this deadline, your filed ITR will become invalid.
4 other major reasons for refund getting stuck
Apart from e-verification, there are some common mistakes due to which your income tax refund can be stopped such as:
Wrong bank account information
The refund comes in the same account which is linked to your PAN card and is ‘pre-validated’. If you have given the wrong account number, IFSC code or your account is not pre-validated, the refund will fail.
Difference between TDS and Form 26AS
If there is any difference between the TDS deducted by your company and the TDS claimed by you, the department can stop it for investigation. Always ensure that the information given in Form 26AS and AIS matches your income.
Outstanding Demand
If you have tax dues of any previous year, then the Income Tax Department can adjust your refund with that outstanding amount. You are informed about this through email.
Not responding to the Income Tax Department’s notice
Many times the department needs some more information about your income or deduction, for which it sends you a notice. If you do not respond to that notice on time, the refund will not be processed.
How to check your ITR refund status? (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you have done everything right and still the refund is getting delayed, then you can easily check its status from home. There are two easy ways to do this:
Method 1: From Income Tax Portal (with login)
- First of all go to the official website of Income Tax Department https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/.
- Log in by entering user ID, password and captcha.
- Now you will see the Income Tax Return Form on the screen.
- After this, click on the option from the drop-down list below the form and select ITR.
- Now you have to enter the assessment year and submit it.
- After this, to check the status of the refund, you have to click on ITR Acknowledgment Number.
- After this, the status of ITR refund will be shown on the screen.
Method 2: From NSDL website (without login)
- Go directly to the NSDL refund status checking website: https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.html
- Enter your PAN number.
- Select the Assessment Year (eg: 2024-25) for which you want to check the refund.
- Enter the captcha code appearing on the screen and click on ‘Proceed’.
- Whatever is the status of your refund, it will appear on the screen.
FAQs
1. What is the last date to e-verify ITR?
You have to e-verify it within 30 days from the date of filing the ITR.
2. What if I forget to e-verify within 30 days?
Your filed ITR will be considered ‘invalid’. You may have to file a belated return again by paying a penalty.
3. How long does it usually take for a refund to arrive?
After e-verification, the refund usually arrives in your bank account within 2 to 6 weeks.
4. If the refund status shows ‘Refund processed but returned’, what does it mean?
This means that the department had sent the refund, but it was returned due to incorrect information in your bank account (such as wrong account number or closed account). You will have to go to the portal and correct the bank details.
5. Is e-verification necessary even if no refund is being generated for me?
Yes, whether your tax refund is being processed or not, e-verification is mandatory to complete the ITR filing process.
