NEW DELHI: The Income Tax Department has issued a public advisory cautioning taxpayers, especially senior citizens, against fraudulent emails, SMS messages, and websites impersonating the Department to steal personal and financial information.In an official awareness message shared by the Income Tax Department, Government of India, on X, taxpayers have been urged to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of all communications claiming to be from tax authorities.Fraudsters, the Department warned, are increasingly using fake sender IDs, misleading links and look-alike websites to trick individuals into revealing sensitive details such as PAN numbers, passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs).The Department has reiterated that taxpayers should access tax-related services only through the official portal https://www.incometax.gov.in.Any other website resembling the official domain–such as variations using “efiling” or altered spellings–should be treated as suspicious.“Think Twice, Act Wise,” the advisory reads, emphasising that the Income Tax Department never asks for OTPs, passwords or confidential personal information via email, SMS or phone calls. Taxpayers are advised to always check the sender’s email address and website domain carefully before clicking on any link.To strengthen public awareness, the Department has also encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity. Suspected phishing emails can be forwarded to webmanager@incometax.gov.in, with a copy marked to incident@cert-in.org.in, the national cyber incident response agency.For assistance, taxpayers may also contact the official helpdesk at 1800 103 0025 or 080 46122000.The campaign is part of the government’s broader effort to promote cyber hygiene and protect citizens from digital fraud, particularly vulnerable groups such as senior citizens. The Income Tax Department has urged people to share the message widely to safeguard family members and loved ones.“Think before you click–stay tax smart, stay safe,” the Income Tax Department advised, reinforcing that awareness and caution remain the strongest defences against online tax scams. (ANI)

Last Updated:December 13, 2025, 15:46 IST

The income tax department is analysing certain refund claims flagged by the system, either because they were “high-value” or due to deductions that required deeper scrutiny.

Income Tax Refund Delay.

Even as the income tax department ups its ante against the fake deductions, a section of taxpayers are still awaiting their tax return for this year. The refund delay 2025 comes even as the department is scrutinising bogus tax claims “red-flagged” by the system. Ravi Agrawal, chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT), has said that the refunds would be cleared in December.

In November, the CBDT chairman said the department was analysing certain refund claims flagged by the system, either because they were “high-value” or due to deductions that required deeper scrutiny. He added that taxpayers have been advised to “file a revised return” wherever discrepancies exist.

When are income tax refunds usually issued?

Refund processing begins only after an ITR is successfully e-verified. Once that is done, the income tax department generally credits the refund within four to five weeks, as per the department’s guidelines.

This timeline is followed in most cases. When delays occur, they typically stem from common issues such as:

• An unvalidated bank account (mandatory for receiving refunds)

• An incorrect or inactive IFSC code

• A mismatch between the taxpayer’s name and the PAN details

• A discrepancy between the ITR and data in Form 26AS or the AIS

Missing an email or notification seeking clarification can also pause processing entirely.

How to check your income tax refund status

The refund status can be tracked anytime through the income tax portal. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Visit the portal at: eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/.

Go to the e-Filing homepage.

Log in using your user ID and password.

Navigate to: e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns

Select the relevant assessment year and click View Details.

This page will show whether your refund has been issued, is under review, or is pending due to additional information required.

Why are ITR refunds delayed in 2025?

Most delays arise from banking or identity-related discrepancies — wrong bank account numbers, invalid IFSC codes, unvalidated accounts, or PAN-Aadhaar linkage issues.

Refunds are also held back when deductions appear inaccurate or require supporting documentation. In such cases, the system routes the return for additional checks.

Mismatches between Form 16, Form 26AS and the AIS are another common trigger. Returns pulled into manual verification naturally take longer to process.

For a majority of taxpayers, refunds arrive within the usual four-five weeks. For others, the processing time depends on how quickly verification, bank detail correction, or responses to notices are completed. Ensuring that all records match and regularly checking the portal remain the easiest ways to avoid further delay.

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google.

Follow News18 on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. To Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

Read More