Amid growing concerns from taxpayers, the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) Chairman has finally addressed the issue of delayed Income Tax Refunds for FY 2024–25.
This year, lakhs of taxpayers have reported slower-than-usual refund processing, prompting widespread queries on social media and tax forums.
The CBDT chairman clarified that multiple backend factors—technical, operational, and verification-related—are contributing to the delay, but assured that refund processing is now being accelerated.
Why ITR Refunds Are Getting Delayed This Year
The CBDT chairman outlined several key reasons for the backlog:
1. Higher Volume of ITR Filings
This year saw record-high filing numbers, with many taxpayers filing close to the deadline, creating a rush for backend systems.
2. Increased Scrutiny & Additional Verification
The Income Tax Department has tightened checks for:
Mismatched TDS entries
Under-reported income
High-value transactions
AIS/TIS mismatches
Returns needing even minor clarifications are temporarily withheld.
3. Automated Risk Flagging
New AI-based verification systems are flagging more returns for:
Suspicious deductions
Incorrect bank details
Inconsistencies between Form 26AS and reported income
These require manual review, slowing the refund cycle.
4. Delays in Bank Account Validation
Refunds can be held up due to:
Unvalidated bank accounts
KYC issues
Closed or inactive accounts
Incorrect IFSC codes
Taxpayers often overlook these minor details.
5. System Upgrades & Backend Load
The department is upgrading refund processing pipelines to improve speed and accuracy.
During upgrades, processing slows down temporarily.
CBDT Chairman’s Key Update
The chairman assured taxpayers that:
Refund processing is now being fast-tracked
Most pending cases will be cleared in phased batches
Priority is being given to verified, error-free returns
System load is now stabilizing after recent backend fixes
He also urged taxpayers to keep their bank details, AIS, and Form 26AS updated to avoid unnecessary delays.
How You Can Speed Up Your Refund
Tax experts recommend:
✔ Check bank account validation on e-filing portal
✔ Ensure AIS/TIS matches your filed return
✔ Correct any TDS mismatches
✔ Respond promptly to any notices/queries
✔ Update contact details for alerts
FAQs
1. Why is my ITR refund delayed?
Because of increased verification, technical checks, bank validation issues, and high filing volume.
2. What did the CBDT chairman say?
Refunds are being accelerated, and most pending cases will be cleared in phases.
3. How do I check if my refund is stuck due to AIS/TIS mismatch?
Log in to the Income Tax portal → AIS section → Compare with your filed ITR.
4. What if my bank account is not validated?
Update it on the portal; refunds will not be issued otherwise.
5. When will refunds speed up?
According to the update, processing will move faster in the coming weeks.
Published on : 26th November
Published by : SMITA
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