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Why your income tax refund credit can take up to 9 months

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By Sangeeta Ojha

3 min read | Updated on September 03, 2025, 13:11 IST

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SUMMARY

While many taxpayers get their refunds credited earlier, however, delays can happen if there are errors in their ITRs.

income tax refund credit can take up to 9 months

Most tax refunds are credited within 4–6 weeks after filing and e-verifying your return. | Image: Shutterstock

The September 15 deadline for filing income tax returns is just around the corner. If you have not filed yet, it is important to do so as soon as possible to avoid penalties.

For those who have already filed their income tax returns ( ITRs) and are waiting for their refund credit, it is worth noting that income tax refunds can take up to 9 months to process.

This delay can occur due to various factors, including the complexity of the tax return.

What is the maximum wait for tax refund?
Most tax refunds are credited within 4–6 weeks after filing and e-verifying your return. But the income tax department legally has up to nine months from the end of the financial year to process refunds.

Here are the main reasons why your income tax refund credit might take that long

  • "While many people get their refunds earlier, delays can happen if there are errors in your return, mismatched details, or heavy processing load during peak season. So, taxpayers can expect their refunds anytime within this nine-month period,” said Abhishek Soni, CEO & Co-founder, Tax2win.

  • According to tax and investment expert Balwant Jain, while ITR-1 is generally processed faster, ITR-2, ITR-3 and ITR-4 can take more time due to their complexity.

  • However, Jain notes that ITR processing has become quicker in recent years, though complications still arise, particularly with business income filings.

  • One of the key issues taxpayers face is the TDS mismatch. In many cases, there is a mismatch between the TDS details reported in Form 26AS and what is declared in the ITR.
"This issue often arises in cases where the taxpayer has business income or other complex income sources. If there is any discrepancy between the TDS deductions shown in Form 26AS and the claim made in the ITR, it can delay the processing of the return and potentially lead to notices from the Income Tax Department," said Jain.

September 15 tax deadline: Don’t wait until the last day

The September 15 deadline for ITR filing 2025 is fast approaching, and this time, there are no signs of another extension. The government had already extended the original deadline from July 31 to September 15, and the Income Tax Department, through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, is urging taxpayers to act without delay.
FAQs on intimation under section 143
What is intimation under Section 143(1)?

Intimation refers to the processing of returns by the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC). In this, all returns filed under Section 139 or in response to a notice under Section 142(1) are processed to verify and fix the arithmetical errors, apparent errors, tax calculation, and tax payments.

What to do if intimation u/s 143/1 is received for refund?

You will have to file rectification for intimation u/s 143(1)?

⦁ Log in to your income tax portal account

⦁ Go to the Service tab

⦁ Select rectification, and choose relevant A.Y. and file

What is the time limit to issue intimation under section 143(1)?

Intimation is required to be issued within 9 months from the end of the financial year in which the return is furnished by the assessee.

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About The Author

sangeeta-ojha.webp
Sangeeta Ojha is a business and finance journalist with over 18 years of experience across leading media platforms, including Mint and India Today. Passionate about personal finance, she has built a reputation for covering a wide range of PF topics—from income tax and mutual funds to insurance, savings, and investing.