ITR still not processed? Know Why Delayed and What Now to Expedite Refunds!

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Filing the Income Tax Return (ITR) is only the first step in annual tax compliance. For millions of taxpayers across India,
the real relief comes when the return is processed by the Income Tax Department and, where applicable, the refund is
credited to their bank account. Yet, every year, many find themselves in limbo — return filed, acknowledgement received, but
status still showing “under processing.”

If your ITR for Assessment Year (AY) 2024-25 is still not processed, here’s a breakdown of why delays happen and what you
can do to move things forward.

Reasons Why ITR Processing Gets Delayed

1. Return Filed Close to the Due Date: A rush of last-minute filings around July 31 clogs the system. Even though the CPC
   (Centralized Processing Centre) in Bengaluru is automated, lakhs of returns hit the servers in the same week, stretching timelines.
2. Mismatch in Reported Income or TDS: If income in your ITR does not perfectly match data in Form 26AS, AIS, or TIS,
   the system flags it for extra verification. Even small mismatches in TDS, interest income, or capital gains can stall processing.
3. Bank Account Not Pre-Validated: Refunds are issued only to pre-validated, PAN-linked accounts. If your bank account is not
   validated on the portal, refunds are held back until fixed.
4. ITR Verification Pending: Filing the return isn’t enough — you must verify it within 30 days (via Aadhaar OTP, net banking,
   EVC, or by sending ITR-V physically). An unverified ITR is treated as “not filed.”
5. Return Sent for Manual Scrutiny: High deductions, foreign income disclosures, or large refund claims may push your ITR for
   officer-level scrutiny, causing delays.
6. Technical Glitches: Despite upgrades, the system still faces snags — server downtime or TDS reconciliation mismatches can
   hold up processing.

What You Can Do If Your ITR Is Still Not Processed

• Check Status Online: Log in to the e-filing portal → “View Filed Returns.” If it says “Return Submitted and Verified”
  but not processed, you may just need to wait.
• Verify Bank Account: In “My Profile,” ensure your refund account is pre-validated and nominated. Update if necessary.
• Cross-Check AIS & Form 26AS: Download and compare them with your reported income. If mismatches exist, file a revised return.
• Ensure ITR Verification: If you forgot, use Aadhaar OTP or net banking for instant verification. Unverified returns won’t move forward.
• Raise a Grievance/Call Helpline: If processing is stuck for months, raise a grievance on the portal or call CPC helpline
  1800-103-4455. Sometimes a nudge helps.
• Wait for Intimation u/s 143(1): The department has up to 9 months from the end of FY (i.e. until Dec 31, 2025 for AY 2024-25)
  to issue intimation. Unless you get a notice, patience may be the only option.