Central Govt plans to reduce Income Tax Refund Processing Time; Know Details

The Income Tax Department intends to shorten the average processing time for getting tax refunds. According to a source, the tax department is considering reducing the number of days from 16 to 10. According to the report, the revised timeframe would be implemented within the current financial year. However, we couldn’t independently verify the development.

The introduction of a new method to speed the processing and issuing of income tax refunds shows that the department is likely focusing on automating and optimising its refund processing operations. This might include utilising technology, data analytics, and process enhancements to speed the verification and validation of taxpayer information, ensuring that appropriate refunds are given on time.

The Income Tax department hopes that by implementing this new timeframe, taxpayers would have a speedier and smoother experience when it comes to obtaining their tax returns. Quicker refunds can increase taxpayer satisfaction and offer individuals with more rapid access to money that are properly theirs.

It should be noted that any modifications to tax processing methods should prioritise the accuracy and integrity of the refund process. While timeliness is key, it is also critical to ensure that refunds are processed correctly and without mistakes in order to avoid any complications or disputes later on.

The deadline for filing ITRs without penalty for the financial year 2022-23 closed on July 31, thus taxpayers must now waiting for the refunds. Depending on the option selected by the assessee while finishing the yearly ITR, the refund is made either electronically (direct credit to account) or by cheque.

However, there are a few reasons why the refund may not have been completed yet. The income tax refund is provided once the Income Tax return is processed by the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC). To get the return, taxpayers must specify a pre-validated bank account. There might be a number of reasons for the refund amount not being credited to the bank account.

Reasons For Not Receiving Refunds

Incorrect Bank Account or Routing Number: This is the most typical cause of a refund not being sent to the intended recipient. When submitting your tax return or obtaining a refund, double-check the bank account number and routing number you submitted.

Bank Account Closed: The refund will be returned to the IRS if the bank account you provided is closed. To re-issue the refund to a different account, you must contact the IRS.

Incorrect Name on Bank Account: The name on the bank account must exactly match the name on the tax return. The refund will be returned to the income tax department if the names do not match.

Fraudulent Actions: In rare situations, refunds may be delayed or refused owing to fraudulent activity. If you feel your refund has been delayed or refused due to fraud, you should notify the IRS right away.

Delay in Processing: The IRS is currently handling a large volume of refund inquiries, which may cause some delays. If you submitted your tax return and sought a refund within the last few weeks, it is likely that your refund is still being processed. You may check the status of your refund on the IRS website.

What to do in this Case?

If your refund has not arrived due to a discrepancy in account numbers, you can correct the problem by doing the actions outlined below. Examine the bank account number and IFSC code you gave when you filed your tax return. Check that the numbers are right and match your bank account’s account number and IFSC code. Contact your bank to ensure that the account is still functioning and that no holds have been placed on it.

Request a refund re-issue from the IT department. When contacting the ITD, you must submit your PAN (Permanent Account Number), the assessment year, and the amount of the refund. You can reach the IT department via phone, mail, or through their online filing site.

How to check Income Tax Refund Status Online:

• Go to Income Tax India website.
• Enter your USER ID (PAN number), password, and captcha code to log in.
• Go to the ‘View Returns/ Forms.
• Select ‘Income Tax Returns‘ from the drop-down menu after clicking ‘Select An Option’.
• Fill in the assessment year and submit.
• To check the status of your ITR refund, click on the applicable ITR acknowledgement number.