Received messages from the Income Tax Department? Be careful, or your refund might get stuck

Income Tax Department:  Recently, several taxpayers have received messages regarding their filed income tax returns. These messages state that a refund was claimed for AY 2025-26, but the refund has not yet been processed. This is because the return has been held under the risk management process due to some discrepancies.

Are you also receiving messages from the Income Tax Department

Receiving such messages related to income tax may mean that your refund has been put on hold, and if timely action is not taken, the money could get stuck.

Also Read: India Oman Trade: India signs FTA with Oman, receives zero duty access on their exports The IT department has also stated that details regarding this have been sent to your registered email address. Note that such messages do not mean that your refund is stuck, but rather that the Income Tax Department is giving you an opportunity to file a revised return.

What to do next and how to secure your refund

If you have not yet filed a revised return, it is mandatory to file it by December 31, 2025. If the return is filed after January 1, 2026, you may have to pay additional tax. Therefore, the safest way is to carefully review the issues highlighted by the department and submit a revised return on time. Also Read: US Fed Rate Cut: Big news from America... Fed cuts rates, will it affect the Indian market?

Even if you have already filed a revised return and still received such a message, you can ignore it. However, be careful not to click on any links hastily and always use the official website to ensure your refund remains secure.

Beware of cyber fraud in the name of Income Tax

Recently, the Income Tax Department has issued a warning regarding cyber fraud cases. Cybercriminals are now trying to trap people using emails, SMS, and fake websites in the name of income tax. Senior citizens, in particular, are becoming targets of such scams. These messages are often sent under the guise of tax refunds, penalties, or KYC updates. People hastily open the links or attachments, and their personal information and bank details are immediately compromised by scammers. Large sums of money are then withdrawn from their accounts. Therefore, it's crucial to understand how this scam works and what to do to avoid it.

What to do to avoid this?

First, remember that any work related to income tax should only be done through the official website www.incometax.gov.in. Check the domain name and link before clicking on any email, SMS, or website.

Summary

The Income Tax Department never asks for OTPs, passwords, or confidential bank details via email or phone calls. Therefore, if you receive such a message, ignore it immediately and report it. Remember, 'Think Twice, Act Wise' – think twice before clicking on any link or attachment