Tax Refund Stuck? 6 Critical Reasons for Delays & What to Do Now

• Income Tax Department processed most refunds by Dec 2025, but many taxpayers still await theirs, even in 2026.
• Key reasons for delays include ITR mismatches with Form 26AS/AIS, unverified bank accounts, and incorrect deduction claims.
• Lack of timely e-verification after filing and high-value transactions flagged for risk assessment can also hold up refunds.
• Backend processing delays by the Income Tax Department are another common cause for pending refunds.
• Taxpayers should check ITR details, bank verification, e-verification status, and respond promptly to any notices.

Why It Matters: Understand common reasons for Income Tax refund delays and take proactive steps to resolve them quickly.