How soon after filing ITR can you expect your refund to be issued?

Income tax refund status: Have you filed your income tax return within the deadline? Were you eligible for a refund and are wondering when the amount will be credited in your bank account? The deadline for filing Income Tax Return (ITR) Forms 1 and 2 for Assessment Year AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26) was July 31, 2026. According to a post by the Income Tax Department on X, more than 5.9 crore income tax returns were filed before the due date.With the filing window now closed for most salaried taxpayers, attention has shifted to income tax refunds. Taxpayers who have filed and successfully e-verified their returns are now awaiting the refund process. An income tax refund is issued by the Income Tax Department when the total tax paid by a taxpayer—through TDS, TCS, advance tax or self-assessment tax—exceeds the actual tax liability.