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The government’s latest direct tax collection data shows that refunds rose 25.91 percent year-on-year to Rs 3,08,306.98 crore as of November 10, 2026, compared with Rs 2,44,872.21 crore during the corresponding period last year. The latest figures indicate that the government has issued substantially higher refunds during the current financial year.

Of the total refunds issued during FY 2026-27 so far, non-corporate tax refunds accounted for Rs 1,38,771.22 crore, registering a 53.97 percent increase from Rs 90,126.88 crore in the corresponding period last year. Corporate tax refunds stood at Rs 1,69,512.18 crore, up 9.56 percent from Rs 1,54,724.82 crore a year ago.

The data comes as taxpayers continue to await refunds after filing their income-tax returns for assessment year (AY) 2026-27. According to the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal, more than 8.36 crore income-tax returns have been filed so far.

The latest direct tax collection figures also show that gross collections stood at Rs 17,50,285.89 crore, up 14.02 percent from Rs 15,35,076.31 crore in the corresponding period last year. After adjusting for refunds, net direct tax collections rose 11.76 percent year-on-year to Rs 14,41,978.91 crore.

However, filing and e-verifying an ITR does not mean that the refund will be credited immediately. A return has to be processed before the refund is released. For taxpayers who are still waiting, checking the exact status of their return is the first step.

ITR filed but refund not received?

Taxpayers should first check whether their returns have been processed. The department reconciles the information reported in the ITR with tax deducted at source (TDS), tax collected at source (TCS), advance tax and self-assessment tax payments.

Differences between the tax credits claimed in the return and those reflected in Form 26AS, the Annual Information Statement (AIS) or the Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS) can delay processing. Additional verification requirements or a defective return can also hold up the refund.

Himank Singla, partner at SBHS & Associates, said a delay does not necessarily indicate a problem with the return, as refunds are released only after verification and processing checks. Taxpayers should identify the specific reason for the delay before taking corrective action. If the return has been correctly filed and no action is pending, they need not revise it merely because the refund has not arrived. They can raise a grievance on the portal or follow up with the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC), where appropriate.

Check outstanding tax demands

An outstanding tax demand from an earlier assessment year can result in a refund being adjusted against the amount payable. Taxpayers should check their e-filing accounts for pending demands, notices or communications requiring a response.

Bank account issues can delay refunds

Incorrect bank details, an inactive account or failure to pre-validate the account can prevent a refund from being credited. Taxpayers should ensure their nominated bank account is active, correctly linked and pre-validated. If a refund fails, they should correct the details and submit a refund reissue request, wherever applicable.

How to check income-tax refund status

Taxpayers can log in to the official Income Tax Department e-filing portal and navigate to the filed returns section under the e-File menu. The status can indicate whether the return is under processing, a notice requires action, a refund has been determined or the payment has failed.

If the refund remains pending for a prolonged period or the portal indicates an issue, taxpayers should identify the reason and take the appropriate action before raising a grievance. Regularly checking the portal can help distinguish a normal processing delay from a refund failure requiring intervention.

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