Navigating the Long Process of Processing Your Income Tax Return

After filing your Income Tax Return (ITR), it often goes through a verification and processing phase. While this phase can take a relatively short period of time (7 days to 1 year), it is not uncommon for returns to take several months for processing. If your return has been under processing for four months and you are concerned, there are steps you can take to address the issue. This article provides a detailed guide on how to raise a grievance with the Income Tax department.

Understanding the Processing Timeline

The Internal Revenue department processes ITRs within a broad range of 7 days to 1 year. If your ITR status is showing as successfully e-verified, it is expected to get processed within this time frame. Nonetheless, if you notice that your ITR is not processed within an extended period, there are steps you can follow to raise a grievance.

Steps to Raise a Grievance

Raising a grievance is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to submit a grievance and resolve the issue quickly.

Step 1: Visit the New Income Tax Portal

Start by visiting the official Income Tax Portal. Log in using your account credentials if you have already created one.

Step 2: Navigate to the Grievance Section

Once logged in, move to the 'Grievance' tab and select the 'Submit Grievance' option.

Step 3: Select Relevant Department

A new webpage will open, prompting you to select the relevant department for your issue. For returns that are processing and awaiting intimation, select 'CPC-ITR'.

Step 4: Choose Category and Sub-Category

Within CPC-ITR, choose the category and sub-category from the drop-down menus. For ITR processing, select the categories 'Processing' and 'Intimation Order Request'. Then, specify the assessment year (for example, 2021-22 for the fiscal year 2020-21).

Step 5: Provide Details and Attach Documents

Write the description of your grievance in the provided text box. Attach any necessary supporting documents (PDF, JPEG, ZIP formats up to 10 MB each). Click 'Submit' to finalize and send your grievance.

Step 6: Confirm and Track Your Grievance

Your grievance ID will appear on the screen after submission. An email will be sent to your registered email address confirming the receipt of the grievance. Additionally, you can download your grievance document from the dashboard.

Typically, the Income Tax department responds to grievances within 7 to 10 days. You can also track your grievance directly on the e-filing website.

Tracking Your Grievance

To track your grievance, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to Your Account

Sign in to your account on Income Tax e-Filing Website.

Step 2: View the Grievance Status

Under the 'Grievance' tab, select 'View Grievance'. Your pending grievance will be displayed on your screen.

Conclusion

This detailed guide should help you navigate the process of raising a grievance if your income tax return is taking longer than expected to process. By following these steps, you can ensure that your concerns are addressed and your grievance is resolved efficiently.

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