Refund delays and how to raise a grievance (e-Nivaran, CPGRAMS)

Most tax refunds are processed smoothly and credited within weeks of filing. But sometimes refunds are delayed — pending verification, mismatches in bank details, or processing backlogs. If you have waited beyond the normal timeline and regular follow-ups have not helped, you can escalate through official grievance channels.

How long should a refund take?

Under normal circumstances, if you have filed a valid return with no mismatches or pending verifications, refunds are typically processed within 20 to 45 days for electronically verified returns. Delays beyond 60–90 days, especially without any communication from the department, warrant a formal grievance.

Step 1: Check refund status first

Before raising a grievance, always check the current status of your refund on the Income Tax e-Filing portal. Log in, go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns, and check the refund status for the relevant assessment year. The portal will tell you if the refund is pending verification, under processing, or already issued.

Common reasons for delays include pending ITR verification (if you did not e-verify or send a signed ITR-V), bank account validation failures, mismatches flagged by the CPC (Centralised Processing Centre), or outstanding demands from previous years that are being adjusted against the refund.

Step 2: Raise a grievance on e-Nivaran

If the delay is genuine and unexplained, the first formal channel is e-Nivaran, the grievance redressal module built into the e-Filing portal itself:

1. Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
2. Go to Services → Grievances (e-Nivaran) from the main menu.
3. Click Register New Grievance.
4. Select the grievance category — for refund delays, choose Refund related or the closest relevant option.
5. Fill in the assessment year, PAN, and a clear description of the issue. Attach any supporting documents (bank statement showing no credit, acknowledgement number, etc.).
6. Submit the grievance. You will receive a grievance reference number. Note it down.
7. The system typically gives the department 30 days to respond. You can track the status of your grievance in the same e-Nivaran module.

Step 3: Escalate to CPGRAMS if needed

If e-Nivaran does not resolve the issue within 30 days, or if you receive an unsatisfactory response, you can escalate to CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System), the government-wide grievance portal managed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

1. Visit pgportal.gov.in.
2. Register or log in (you can use your existing email or mobile-based login).
3. Click Lodge Public Grievance.
4. Select Ministry: Department of Revenue → Organisation: Income Tax Department.
5. Describe the grievance clearly, mention that you already raised it on e-Nivaran (include the reference number), and explain why it remains unresolved.
6. Submit the grievance. CPGRAMS issues a unique registration number and forwards the complaint to the relevant authority.
7. You will receive updates via SMS and email. The department is expected to respond within a set timeframe, and CPGRAMS tracks resolution status.

What to expect after raising a grievance

Grievances are routed to the jurisdictional officer or the CPC, depending on the issue. In most cases, a formal grievance prompts a review and you will receive a response explaining the delay or confirming that the refund has been reprocessed. If the issue is a technical glitch (such as a bank validation failure), you may be asked to update your bank details or provide additional documents.

Keep records of every grievance you raise: reference numbers, submission dates, responses received, and any correspondence. This trail is useful if you need to escalate further or cite the delay in an appeal.

Stay calm and document everything

Refund delays are frustrating, but most are resolved once brought to official attention. The key is to use the right channels, provide clear information, and follow up systematically. e-Nivaran and CPGRAMS exist precisely to give taxpayers a voice when normal processes stall.

A formal grievance is not confrontational — it is a legitimate tool that signals to the department that an issue needs attention. Use it calmly and factually, and you are far more likely to see movement.

Official sources

This explainer is based on official and primary sources. Always confirm figures and dates on these before acting:

• Income Tax e-Filing portal
• Income Tax Department — incometax.gov.in
• CPGRAMS — pgportal.gov.in

Reviewed: October 2026. Tax rules change — verify the current financial year and assessment year before you rely on any figure.

This is general educational information for Indian taxpayers, not personalised tax, legal or financial advice. Union of Taxpayers is an independent platform and not a government body. Consider a qualified professional for your specific situation.