The Income Tax Department’s income tax return (ITR) filing due date is approaching, and now just 18 days are left for the taxpayers to meet their return filing obligation. According to the department’s website, around 3.84 crore ITRs were filed as of August 27, 2025. Around 3.67 crore returns were verified, and about 2.43 crore returns were processed.
For taxpayersone of the most common concerns every year is the timeline for credit of tax refund in their bank accounts. Over the last couple of years, the tax department has taken a slew of measures to reform the whole process from issuing ITR forms and corresponding offline and online utilities to filing of returns and credit of refunds to taxpayers. Overall, these efforts have resulted in an efficient process and reduced the average time for refunds. Surprisingly, some ITR filers have received their refunds on the same day of filing of income tax returns this year.
These are, however, just a handful of cases where return filers have received tax refunds on the same day. Whether a large number of taxpayers are getting their ITRs processed and refunded this quickly is still not known, as there is no large data to support this.
What is the average time being taken to issue tax refunds this year?
According to Dinkar Sharma, Partner, Jotwani Associates, the department continues to build on its digital transformation efforts, which have notably reduced average refund processing times. On average, refunds are being issued within 17 to 30 days after a return is successfully e-verified, he said.
“In straightforward cases, where returns are accurate and verified promptly, taxpayers have reported receiving refunds in as little as 7 to 20 working days. However, it is important to temper expectations, as this is not yet the universal experience,” Sharma added.
Filing your tax return this year? Head to our detailed ITR Guide for everything you need to know.
Income Tax Refund delays in some cases
Despite automation improvements, Sharma said, many taxpayers are still experiencing refund delays, with several reports indicating timelines of 3 to 5 weeks.
A key factor that determines when you’ll receive your refund is the promptness of e-verification. The refund process only begins after the return has been e-verified—whether through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or other accepted electronic verification methods. Without this crucial step, your return will sit in limbo, and your refund won’t be initiated.
Past returns are under additional scrutiny
Moreover, some taxpayers are encountering unexpected delays due to the Income Tax Department conducting “additional checks on past returns”.
Especially in cases where there are discrepancies between the ITR and data from Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement), or TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary), refunds may be held up for manual scrutiny.
Similarly, if there are unresolved issues from previous assessment years or if your bank account is not properly pre-validated and linked with PAN, refunds may be delayed or even fail to be processed altogether.
Sharma further said that interestingly, there have been isolated cases — mostly reported in regional media — where refunds were issued within 24 hours, and even as quickly as 4 hours. These reports, while encouraging, should be viewed as exceptions rather than the norm, he noted.
“Such rapid processing likely reflects trial runs or high-priority cases and does not represent the standard taxpayer experience. For most individuals, a 2 to 4-week wait remains realistic, depending on filing accuracy, system load, and verification speed.”
From a taxpayer advocacy standpoint, the best approach is to ensure all steps are completed correctly to avoid delays. File your ITR well before the deadline (which has been extended to September 15, 2025, for certain categories), and make sure your bank account is pre-validated and PAN-linked.
Cross-check all entries in your return with Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS
How to avoid errors and mismatches that can trigger scrutiny
Taxpayers must cross-check all entries in their return with your Form 26AS, AIS, and TIS to avoid mismatches that may trigger scrutiny.
Use the I-T e-filing portal to track the status of your return and refund under the “View Filed Returns” and “Refund/Demand Status” sections.
If your refund has been unduly delayed beyond a reasonable time, you can escalate the matter using the e-Nivaran grievance redressal system or reach out to the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) helpline.
Summing up…
In conclusion, while the Income Tax Department has made significant strides in refund efficiency, the average taxpayer should expect a 2 to 5-week processing period post e-verification.
To ensure a smooth refund experience, timely filing, meticulous verification, and accurate data matching are key. If you have yet to receive your refund or face any issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help or use official escalation mechanisms. Prompt action and informed follow-up can go a long way in safeguarding your refund.