IT Returns Filing 2025 – These Mistakes Can Stop Your Refund! Follow These Steps to Get Your Money on Time

IT Returns Filing 2025 – These Mistakes Can Stop Your Refund! Follow These Steps to Get Your Money on Time

Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is not just about meeting a legal requirement—it is also the key to claiming any tax refunds you may be entitled to. But for thousands of taxpayers across India, small oversights are leading to big problems: delayed refunds, extra paperwork, and even the need to re-file returns.

With the deadline for ITR filing set for September 15, 2025, the Income Tax Department is reminding taxpayers of one crucial rule: simply filing your ITR is not enough. You must verify your return and validate your bank account within 30 days of filing, or your refund process will come to a standstill.

This article explains why these steps are essential, the consequences of ignoring them, and how to make sure you get your refund without delays.

Why Filing Alone is Not Enough

Many taxpayers believe that once they submit their ITR online, their job is done. In reality, filing is only the first step. The Income Tax Department requires every taxpayer to verify their return within 30 days of submission.

Without this verification, the department does not consider your return as "filed" in the legal sense. Even if you have uploaded all the necessary information, the process is incomplete until you confirm that the data you submitted is correct.

In simple terms – no verification, no processing. And no processing means no refund.

The 30-Day Rule – What It Means for You

Once you file your ITR online, you have 30 calendar days to complete the verification process. The countdown starts from the day you file your return.

If you miss this 30-day window:

- Your return will be marked invalid.

- The system will treat it as though you never filed at all.

- You will need to start over and re-file your return.

- Any refund claim will be delayed until you complete the process again.

This rule is strict and applies to all taxpayers, whether you are filing for the first time or have been doing it for years.

How to Verify Your ITR

The Income Tax Department allows several methods for verification:

1. e-Verification through Aadhaar OTP

- Link your Aadhaar to your PAN and mobile number.

- Use the OTP sent to your registered mobile number for quick verification.

2. Net Banking

- Log in to your bank’s net banking portal.

- Select the e-Filing option and follow the steps for verification.

3. Electronic Verification Code (EVC)

- Generate an EVC via your bank account, demat account, or ATM.

4. Physical Verification

- If online verification is not possible, print the ITR-V form, sign it, and send it by post to the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru.

Tip:e-Verification is the fastest method and avoids postal delays.

Bank Account Validation – Why It’s Crucial

Even if you have filed and verified your return, your refund will not be credited unless your bank account is pre-validated on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

Pre-validation ensures two things:

Correct Account Information: The account number, IFSC code, and name match exactly with your bank records.

Refund Eligibility:

The bank confirms that the account is active and capable of receiving electronic transfers.

If there is any mismatch or incomplete validation:

- Your refund will fail.

- The amount will not be credited until you correct the details and re-validate the account.

- You may have to wait for the next refund cycle, which can add weeks or months of delay.

Common Mistakes Taxpayers Make

The Income Tax Department has identified some of the most common errors that lead to refund delays:

1. Forgetting to Verify the ITR

- Many taxpayers file the return but never complete the verification step within 30 days.

2. Using an Unvalidated Bank Account

- Listing a bank account on the form but not pre-validating it on the portal.

3. Incorrect Personal Details

- Mismatches between the name on your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account.

4. Expired or Inactive Bank Accounts

- Attempting to receive refunds in accounts that have been closed or are dormant.

5. Technical Errors

- Uploading incomplete returns or having internet interruptions during verification.

Why September 15 is an Important Date

The deadline to file your ITR for the financial year without penalties is September 15, 2025. Filing after this date will:

- Attract late filing fees under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act.

- Delay your refund even further.

- Potentially limit your ability to carry forward losses to future years.

If you file on or close to the deadline, remember that the 30-day verification window still applies. This means that even if you file on September 14, you have until mid-October to verify your return.

Step-by-Step Guide to Avoid Refund Delays

1. File Your ITR Early Do not wait until the last week to avoid rush-hour traffic

on the portal.

2. Verify Within 24 Hours of Filing

- The sooner you verify, the faster your return will be processed.

3. Pre-Validate Your Bank Account Before Filing

- This eliminates the risk of mismatches and delays later.

4. Check for Acknowledgment Email/SMS

After verification, ensure you receive confirmation from the IT Department.

5. Track Refund Status Online**

- Use the e-Filing portal or NSDL refund tracking service to monitor progress.

Real-Life Example

Ramesh, a salaried professional in Hyderabad, filed his ITR on August 20, 2024. He assumed that was the end of the process and forgot to verify it. Two months later, when his friends received their refunds, Ramesh checked his status and found his return marked as invalid. He had to re-file, verify, and wait another three months to get his money.

This is exactly the situation the 30-day verification rule is designed to prevent.

Final Checklist Before You File

- Is your Aadhaar linked to your PAN?

- Is your bank account pre-validated on the Income Tax portal?

- Do you have access to your net banking or mobile OTP for verification?

- Have you double-checked all personal and income details?

By confirming these points in advance, you can avoid unnecessary stress after filing.

The Bottom Line

Filing your Income Tax Return is only the first step towards getting your refund. The real keys are verification and bank account validation—both of which must be done on time.

The 30-day rule is non-negotiable. Miss it, and you will lose time, money, and peace of mind.

With the September 15 deadline approaching, now is the time to file, verify, and validate—so your refund reaches you without any hiccups.