The deadline for filing the income tax return (ITR) for Assessment Year 2024-25 (FY 2023-24) is July 31, 2024. It’s essential to file ITR on time so that the Income Tax Department can process your return and issue refunds if applicable. Without successful processing, income tax refund won’t be credited to your bank account.

Tax experts say that ITR processing typically takes 15-45 days from the e-verification date. If you use the offline verification method (ITR-V form), processing time may be longer. 

After the ITR is processed, the taxpayer receives an Intimation under Section 143(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. As per rules, this notification is required to be issued within nine months from the end of the financial year in which the return is filed. Therefore, for ITRs filed for FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25), the intimation notice will be sent by December 31, 2024.

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Once you submit your income tax return, it should be processed within a maximum of nine months. If processing takes longer, it means the tax department needs to review your return further to ensure it is addressed and cannot remain unprocessed.

However, the income tax department has now started faster processing of ITRs and refunds. Last year, the department issued refunds to many taxpayers in 10 days.  

What to Do if ITR Refunds are not Issued?

If your Income Tax refund has not been issued, despite filing your ITR within the specified time and verifying it, there are several steps you can take:

Firstly, check the status of your ITR refund online through the Income Tax e-filing portal. If it shows “Refund Pending,” ensure your bank account details provided during filing are accurate and pre-validated on the portal.

If the refund status remains unresolved, consider:

Contacting CPC: Reach out to the Central Processing Centre (CPC) via their helpline or email to inquire about the delay.

Reissue Refund: If your refund has not been issued due to incorrect bank details, you can apply for a refund reissue request through the Income Tax portal.

Also Read: How to Raise Income Tax Refund Reissue Request: Step-By-Step Guide

Filing a Grievance: Utilize the ‘e-Nivaran’ or ‘Grievance’ tab on the portal to lodge a formal complaint, providing necessary details and documentation.

Rectification Request: If discrepancies are identified in your ITR, file a rectification request through the ‘Rectification’ option on the portal.

By following these steps, you can address the issue of your ITR not being processed and ensure that your refund is issued correctly.

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