5 reasons your income tax refund for AY 2026-27 may be stuck

Several taxpayers who have already filed their returns for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 are still waiting on refunds. The refund process can drag out if there are errors, omissions or pending compliance steps that were not completed properly. Even small inaccuracies can delay the process.

Here are several common reasons your income tax refund may be delayed.

1. Bank account not pre-validated

The first step a taxpayer should take is to check the status of their filed return on the income tax e-filing portal. All taxpayers should ensure their banking accounts are correctly pre-validated. Their PAN details must be accurately reflected and up to date, and their tax returns must have been successfully e-verified.

2. Mismatch in tax credit information

Any mismatch between the income tax credits reported by the taxpayer and the information available to employers, banking institutions or other financial institutions is another common reason for delays. In such cases, the tax department may require additional verification before releasing the complete refund.