As the tax season for the Assessment Year 2024-25 comes to a close, many taxpayers are looking forward to their income tax refunds.
However, some may experience delays, particularly due to issues with defective Income Tax Returns (ITRs).
Over 7 crore ITRs were submitted by the July 31, 2024 deadline, with the Income Tax Department processing 5.34 crore of these by August 23.
Yet, over 2 crore verified ITRs are still pending processing.
A major factor contributing to this delay is the increased number of ‘Defective ITR’ notices issued by the tax department this year.
What is a Defective ITR?
A defective ITR is one that contains incomplete, inconsistent, or incorrect information in its forms or schedules, which hinders proper processing.
When the Income Tax Department detects a defect, they issue a notice under Section 139(9) of the Income Tax Act, sent to the taxpayer’s registered email or via post.
You can also view this notice on the e-filing portal.
Responding to a Defective ITR Notice
If you receive a notice for a defective ITR, you have two options: you can either file a new return or revise your existing one, provided there’s still time left in the assessment year.
Alternatively, you can respond directly to the notice under Section 139(9).
It’s important to act quickly; if you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to file a fresh or revised return, which could lead to your ITR being considered invalid for the 2024-25 assessment year.
Deadline for Rectifying a Defective ITR
After receiving a defective ITR notice, you have 15 days to correct the issue, as specified in the notice.
If necessary, you can request an extension by seeking an adjournment.
Addressing defective ITRs promptly is crucial to avoid delays in receiving your tax refund.
Regularly check your registered email and the e-filing portal to ensure you don’t miss any important communications from the Income Tax Department.
How to Check Your ITR Refund Status
You can easily track your income tax refund status online via the Income Tax Department’s official website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the e-filing website of the Income Tax Department.
- Log in using your PAN credentials.
- Go to the ‘My Account’ section on the homepage.
- Click on the “Refund/Demand Status” option.
This will display the status of your income tax refund, including details such as the assessment year, current status, reasons for any refund failure, and payment method.
