If you are among the millions of taxpayers still anxiously checking your account for an income tax refund, a massive administrative backlog is likely the cause. The Income Tax Department is currently grappling with a pile-up of over 97 lakh (9.7 million) verified Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26, as per the latest official snapshot from November 2, 2025.
http://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/
This delay is causing significant financial inconvenience for individuals, particularly salaried employees and senior citizens, who rely on timely refunds for their financial planning.
The Numbers Behind the Backlog
The data, directly sourced from the Income Tax e-Filing portal, paints a clear picture of the challenge:·
Total Returns Filed (AY 2025-26): 8,01,81,924
Returns Verified by Taxpayers: 7,69,31,814
Returns Processed by Department: 6,72,24,112
Resulting Backlog: 97,07,702 returns
While the department has processed an impressive 6.72 crore returns, the gap between verification and processing is substantial and growing daily as more returns are filed and verified.
For countless taxpayers who filed their returns around the July 31 deadline, this backlog translates to a waiting game of over three months. The delay impacts refunds of excess Tax Deduted at Source (TDS) and other eligible claims, effectively meaning taxpayers are waiting for their own money to be returned.
“This delay creates a tangible cash flow problem for the common individual,” says CA Priya Sharma, a tax expert and Money Mentors contributor. “The efficiency of the e-filing system sets a high expectation for quick processing. When refunds take months, it disrupts personal financial planning and can lead to anxiety. The department must bridge this gap between filing and processing capacity.”
Understanding the ITR Process and Your Role
For the uninitiated, the ITR journey involves two critical steps:
1. Filing: Submitting your income and deduction details via the ITR form.
2. Verification: Formally validating your return. This can be done instantly using an Aadhaar OTP or by sending a signed physical ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru. Your return is not valid until it is verified.Once verified, the department processes the return, which involves checking for errors, validating TDS claims, and calculating the final tax payable or refundable.
A Money Mentors Guide: What You Can Do Now
While the backlog is a system-wide issue, you can take proactive steps to ensure your return isn’t further delayed:
1. Ensure Verification is Complete: Log in to the e-filing portal and confirm your return shows as “Verified.” This is the most common reason for individual delays.
2. Check for Errors: Ensure there are no mismatches between your Form 26AS, AIS, and the details you filed. Any discrepancy flags your return for manual scrutiny, adding to the wait.
3. Validate Bank Details: Confirm your pre-validated bank account for refund is active and correct.
4. Patience is Key: Understand that the system is under strain. The CPC has indicated it is prioritising refund cases, but with over 13.54 crore registered users, the process takes time.
Money Mentors advises taxpayers to monitor their e-filing account regularly for any notifications. While the current backlog is frustrating, ensuring your own return is error-free is the best way to secure your refund as soon as the logjam clears.
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