The waiting game
"I filed two days ago, where is my refund?" The CPC 2.0 system is fast, but refunds are not instant.
The standard timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| E-verification | Clock starts here |
| Processing | 10 to 30 days |
| Refund issuance (via SBI) | 5 to 15 days |
On average, e-verified ITR-1 refunds arrive in 20 to 45 days, and CBDT reports average processing fell to around 10 days for AY 2024-25 (Source: CBDT / Ministry of Finance).
Why some take longer
- Complex returns: ITR-2/ITR-3 (capital gains, business) need deeper checks.
- Mismatches: TDS not matching 26AS halts processing.
- Bank issues: an approved refund fails on a non-validated account.
- Pending verification: you filed but never e-verified.
Track it (portal path)
- Log in at incometax.gov.in.
- Go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns.
- Open the year and read the status timeline.
What you should do
E-verify immediately after filing and keep your bank account pre-validated; those two steps remove most delays.
Common mistake
Expecting a refund without e-verifying. An unverified return is treated as not filed, so nothing processes.
How LastMinute ITR helps
LastMinute ITR helps you resolve AIS and TDS mismatches early so processing is not stalled. Start at /file, import at /file/import/documents, and reconcile at /file/import/mismatch.
LastMinute ITR is a companion tool, not affiliated with the Income Tax Department. You file and e-verify your return yourself on incometax.gov.in.