The deadline for filing income tax returns has passed, revealing a significant delay in the processing of refunds. The Income Tax Department, which has 134.9 million individual registered users, reported that by September 16, 75.8 million returns had been filed for the assessment year 2025-26.

This year, taxpayers are experiencing prolonged wait times for their refunds. Despite filing their returns in June or July, many have yet to receive their refunds. Experts attribute this delay to the department’s intensified focus on verification and scrutiny procedures. They said that returns with substantial refund amounts, significant deduction claims, or exemptions are being examined more rigorously.

As of September 22, the Income Tax Department data shows that 50.1 million returns had been pro

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