Missed ITR Deadline: Refunds Still Possible

The deadline to file revised or belated income tax returns for the fiscal year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26) was December 31, 2025.

Many taxpayers who filed on time are still waiting for their refunds.

Those who missed the deadline have very limited options.

Tax experts say that a legitimate refund does not disappear just because the deadline has passed.

However, the options to claim a refund are now very limited.

The only option left is to seek condonation of delay under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income-tax Act.

This option is only available if taxpayers can show a good reason for the delay.

For those who filed on time but received a lower refund or no refund due to errors, they can still correct these mistakes under Section 154.

If the return is still being processed, taxpayers do not need to take any immediate action.

The processing center has up to nine months to complete the processing.

If processing takes longer, taxpayers can raise a complaint on the income tax e-filing portal or through the CPGRAMS platform.