You filed your income tax return (ITR) weeks ago, but the refund still hasn't come. In most cases, the delay comes from a small mistake in the return, not from the tax department. Here are the 10 most common mistakes and how to fix each one.
1. Choosing the wrong ITR form
Each ITR form is meant for a specific type of income. Filing the wrong one can lead to a defective return notice.
| Form | Who should use it (broadly) |
|---|---|
| ITR-1 (Sahaj) | Resident individuals with income up to ₹50 lakh from salary, one house property, other sources, and small long-term gains on listed shares/equity funds |
| ITR-2 | Individuals/HUFs with capital gains, more than one house, foreign assets or income above ₹50 lakh — but no business income |
| ITR-3 | Individuals/HUFs with business or professional income |
| ITR-4 (Sugam) | Residents opting for presumptive income (44AD, 44ADA, 44AE), income up to ₹50 lakh |
Fix: Check all your income sources before choosing the form. If you sold shares or mutual funds, you may need ITR-2.
2. Not matching your return with AIS and Form 26AS
The tax department already knows about your salary, interest, dividends, share sales and TDS through the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS. If your return shows less income, it can be flagged for mismatch.
Fix: Download AIS, TIS and 26AS from the e-filing portal before filing. Report everything, or submit feedback on AIS if an entry is wrong.
3. Forgetting savings and FD interest
Many people forget savings account and fixed deposit interest. It is taxable and appears in AIS.
Fix: Add all interest under "Income from Other Sources". The 80TTA deduction (up to ₹10,000 on savings interest) is available only in the old regime.
4. Not reporting share and mutual fund transactions
Every sale of shares, mutual funds or ETFs must be reported, even if there was a loss. Brokers and fund houses report these to the department.
Fix: Get the capital gains statement from your broker or CAMS/KFintech and report short-term and long-term gains separately.
5. Bank account not pre-validated
Refunds are paid only to a bank account that is pre-validated on the e-filing portal and linked with your PAN.
Fix: Log in → Profile → My Bank Account. Add and validate the account. Make sure the name matches your PAN.
6. Not e-verifying the return
A return is not complete until it is verified. You must e-verify within 30 days of filing. A late verification can make the return be treated as filed late — or invalid.
Fix: E-verify using Aadhaar OTP, net banking or a bank/demat account EVC. Check the status on the portal.
7. Claiming deductions without proof — or in the wrong regime
Claiming 80C, 80D or HRA in the new regime is not allowed. Claiming them in the old regime without documents can lead to a notice.
Fix: Choose the right regime first. See old vs new tax regime. Keep proofs ready.
8. Wrong personal details
Mistakes in date of birth, residential status, or a PAN not linked with Aadhaar can hold up processing.
Fix: Check your profile and PAN-Aadhaar link status before filing.
9. Ignoring notices from the department
If the department sends a defective return notice (under Section 139(9) of the old Act) or asks for clarification, the refund stops until you reply.
Fix: Check your email and the e-filing portal's "Pending Actions" regularly. Reply within the given time.
10. Old tax demand pending
If you have an outstanding demand from an earlier year, the department can adjust your refund against it.
Fix: Check "Outstanding Demand" on the portal. Pay it, or file a response if you disagree.
Two more checks worth doing
TDS missing from Form 26AS
Sometimes your employer, bank or client has deducted TDS but not filed their TDS return correctly, so the credit doesn't show in Form 26AS. The department can't give credit it can't see.
Fix: Check Form 26AS a few weeks before filing. If TDS is missing, ask the deductor to correct their TDS return, and file once the credit appears.
Not reporting foreign assets or income
Residents must report foreign bank accounts, foreign shares, ESOPs/RSUs from a foreign parent company and other foreign assets in Schedule FA — even if they earned nothing from them. Missing this can attract heavy penalties under the Black Money Act.
Fix: If you hold anything abroad, use the right ITR form (usually ITR-2 or ITR-3) and fill Schedule FA carefully.
How to check your refund status
- Log in to the income tax e-filing portal.
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
- Check the status. You can also check the refund status on the NSDL (Protean) refund tracking page using your PAN.
Need help with this?
Our team can handle it for you, online, from anywhere in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I correct a mistake after filing?
Yes. You can file a revised return before the time limit ends.
What is the due date for filing ITR?
For most individuals not needing an audit, the due date is 31 July. Business and professional cases have later dates. Check the e-filing portal each year, as dates can be extended or changed.
Can you file my return and check for these mistakes?
Yes. Our team reviews your AIS, 26AS and documents, chooses the right form and regime, and files and e-verifies your return.
Official sources
This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; check the latest position or talk to our team before acting.