CBDT Flags Discrepancies in Refund Claims via SMS Alerts; Reminds Revised Return Deadline Approaching

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is sending SMS to taxpayers who filed their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025-26; however, their processing has been kept on hold as the tax department has discovered a few discrepancies or mismatches in the claim of refund under the risk management process.

Therefore, reminding the taxpayers that they still have time to file a revised return by December 31, 2025, the deadline is approaching. Once they miss the deadline, they can suffer several other legal consequences. CBDT is not only forwarding these to the registered mobile numbers of taxpayers but also to their registered email IDs.

A Chartered Accountant (CA) named Aarchana Yadav addresses this action of CBDT as a trouble to taxpayers. She says CBDT is trying to deny taxpayers’ basic right to get refunds; this is really disappointing.

CBDT’s SMS messages are informing taxpayers that discrepancies have been discovered in their return, and they still have the opportunity to furnish a revised return. This creates unnecessary fear and stress, even when there is no fault on the part of the taxpayer.

If there is any issue in the returns, the CBDT already has proper legal options like issuing notices, charging interest, or imposing penalties etc, However, the CBDT is using this method to inform taxpayers status of their returns.

Holding refunds and sending vague messages instead of following the proper legal process is unfair, unjustified, and against the principles of good governance.

The way CBDT is heckling taxpayers & denying the basic right to refund is pathetic.

Dropping an sms, saying some discrepancies noted & try revising the return or file updated returns.

Can someone please file petition in the court of avoiding such petrified messages for no… pic.twitter.com/0ZGLCeQEU5

— CA Aarchana Yadav (@aarchanay) December 23, 2025

Here is the Income Tax Press release on Nudge Campaign

This campaign for AY 2025–26 has been introduced for encouraging taxpayers to voluntarily review deduction/exemption claims identified as potentially ineligible through risk analytics.