11:00 AM IST – Income tax refunds for FY 2024–25 are getting delayed across the country, and the issue is now big enough to trend on Google. When people in every state are asking the same question every day: “Why is my refund still not credited?”, it clearly means something is not working smoothly.
This shows how widely taxpayers are being affected this year.
Reports suggest that the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is reviewing several high-value refunds and pending cases, while many individual returns are stuck because of mismatched data or small filing errors.
How Big Is the Delay?
| Detail | Current Status (2025) |
|---|---|
| Total ITRs filed | 7.57 crore+ |
| Refunds issued (Apr–Nov) | ₹2.42 lakh crore |
| Compared to last year | 18% lower |
| Most delayed cases | High-value refunds, mismatches, and audits |
| Public reaction | Trending on Google and Viral on X |
These numbers show that delays are affecting people across income groups, from salaried workers to small business owners.
What’s Causing the Backlog
1. High-Value Refunds Under Review
Some refunds are being held because they are flagged for investigation. These cases are checked more carefully, which slows down their processing.
2. Data Mismatches
If your ITR details do not match with Form you submit, such as 26AS, AIS, or TIS, the system automatically pushes your return for manual review.
3. Extra Audits
The Income Tax Department is doing additional checks on returns that look unusual, have sudden income changes, or show big deductions. These reviews take more time.
4. Errors in ITR Filing
Simple mistakes by taxpayers also cause delays — such as entering the wrong bank account, forgetting to e-verify, or filing incomplete information.
5. Internal Processing Load
Even correct returns are sometimes stuck because of the large volume of filings and the general backlog at the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC).
6. Heavy Workload at the Processing Centre
With over 7.5 crore returns filed, the system is handling a very large load. Even AI-assisted checks cannot speed up everything at once.
Why It’s Trending on Google
Many taxpayers who filed their returns months ago are still waiting.
Since simple refunds usually come within 2–5 weeks, people start searching online when nothing happens.
This year, the searches have jumped much higher because CBDT has already hinted that many refunds may get cleared only by December 2025.
This delay has made “Income Tax Refund Refund Delay” one of the top-searched tax topics in India.
What You Must Do
1. Check Your Refund Status
Visit www.incometax.gov.in, go to e-File → View Filed Returns, and check your refund/demand status.
2. Pre-Validate Your Bank Account
Make sure the correct bank account is pre-validated. Refunds will not be credited otherwise.
3. Confirm Your Return Details
If the portal has asked you to confirm or verify anything, complete it immediately. Processing will not start until this is done.
4. Wait for Department Updates
Many cases are under review. The department says most pending refunds should be cleared by December.
5. Raise a Grievance if Required
If the delay is too long, submit a grievance through the e-Nivaran section on the portal.
6. File a Belated Return if You Missed the Deadline
If you have not filed yet, you can still file a belated return for FY 2024–25 until December 31, 2025, with a late fee.
Bottom Line
Unlike previous years, where delays were rare, this year’s backlog is bigger and more visible. The main difference is simple: more checking, more mismatches, and more people waiting at the same time.
Till the system clears the pile, taxpayers may need a little more patience — and a close eye on their portal updates.
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