Overview

• Taxpayers report stalled refunds on social media, and the Finance Minister has asked the department about the holdup.
• Larger refunds, especially above Rs 20,000, are undergoing more verification to curb errors and fraud, extending processing times.
• Common holds stem from unverified ITRs beyond 30 days, bank account pre-validation failures, and mismatches with Form 26AS or AIS.
• Refunds can be offset against outstanding past tax demands, and delays may attract 6% annual interest under Section 244A.
• Status can be checked on the Income Tax e-filing portal or the NSDL site, with options to file grievances or request refund reissue if credit fails.