-
Dec 29, 2025
-
Inside the tax refund limbo: The bigger story behind the 'put on hold' alerts
Over the past few days, thousands of taxpayers across India have received an unexpected message from the Income Tax Department. The SMS or email said their refund claim had been “identified under the risk management process” and that processing had been put on hold.
For many salaried taxpayers who were expecting routine refunds, the message was unsettling. It did not say what was wrong. It did not say what action was mandatory. And it did not say how long the refund might remain stuck. In the absence of clarity, confusion quickly spread.
Screenshots of the message began circulating on social media and taxpayer forums.
People asked whether this meant scrutiny, penalties, or a formal notice. For a tax system that has spent years trying to project simplicity and trust, the reaction revealed a deeper unease.
|