ITR filed in July, but refund still not received? Expert explains key reasons for the delay and what taxpayers can do

Filed your ITR in July or August but still waiting for your refund? Delays can happen for several reasons, from mismatches in tax details to processing issues. Here’s what taxpayers should check on the e-filing portal and when they may need to take further action.

If you filed your ITR in July or August for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 and are still waiting for your refund, there are a few key checks you should make.

An income-tax refund arises when the tax already paid by a taxpayer through TDS, TCS, advance tax, or self-assessment tax is higher than the final tax liability after considering applicable deductions and exemptions.

According to the Income Tax Department, refund processing begins after the ITR has been e-verified. Typically, it can take around 4 to 5 weeks for the refund to reach the taxpayer’s bank account after processing.

What are the key reasons for delay in ITR refund this year?

Siddharth Maurya, Founder and Managing Director, Vibhvangal Anukulara, said some of the reasons for a delay can include the return being under process, differences between income or TDS reported in the ITR and information available with the Department (i.e., Form 26AS, AIS or TIS), tax demand, or issues regarding the bank account through which the refund is to be credited.

In some cases, the refund can be delayed because of adjustments and verification that are done during the processing of the return. Before making the conclusion that a refund has been rejected or withheld, the taxpayer should check the status of their return, he added.

How can you check your ITR refund status?

Taxpayers can check the status through the income-tax e-filing portal. Log in using your credentials and go to the e-File section, then Income Tax Returns, and then View Filed Returns. Select the relevant assessment year and open the filed return to view its current status and related details.