If you received an SMS or email from the Income Tax Department stating your refund is “put on hold” under the Risk Management Framework (RMF), you aren’t alone. In late 2024 and 2025, the department launched a massive “Nudge” campaign to flag discrepancies. With the December 31, 2025, deadline for revised returns fast approaching, “doing nothing” is a risky strategy that could lead to financial penalties.
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The “Nudge” Campaign: Why Your Refund is Stuck
The department’s AI-driven system now cross-references your ITR with the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Form 26AS. If you claimed deductions (like 80C, 80D, or HRA) that weren’t reported to your employer, or if you failed to disclose income from mutual funds or crypto, your refund is automatically paused.
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Consequences of Ignoring the Refund Hold
If you choose not to respond or file a revised return by the December 31 deadline, here is the chain of events:
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Indefinite Refund Hold: The refund will not be released automatically. It stays in a “pending” state until the discrepancy is resolved.
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Disallowance of Claims: The department may process your return by stripping away the flagged deductions. This could convert your expected refund into a Tax Demand (meaning you owe the government money).
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Mandatory Penalties (Post-Dec 31): After December 31, 2025, you can no longer “revise” your return. You must file an Updated Return (ITR-U), which carries an additional tax liability of 25% to 50% of the tax and interest due.
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Scrutiny Risk: Persistent non-compliance increases the probability of your case being picked for a “Limited” or “Full Scrutiny” under Section 143(2).
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Comparison: Revised ITR vs. Taking No Action
| Feature | Filing Revised ITR (By Dec 31) | Ignoring the Notice / No Action |
| Refund Status | Resumes processing once corrected. | Remains on hold indefinitely. |
| Extra Tax/Penalty | Zero (Only pay actual tax due). | 25%-50% additional tax via ITR-U. |
| Correction Ability | Can fix any error or omission. | Cannot change claims after Dec 31. |
| Legal Standing | Voluntary compliance (Better). | Seen as “non-responsive” by AI. |
Key Figures: Important Deadlines for AY 2025-26
| Milestone | Deadline Date |
| Last Date for Revised ITR | December 31, 2025 |
| Last Date for Belated ITR | December 31, 2025 |
| ITR-U (Updated Return) Window | Starts January 1, 2026 |
| Statutory Processing Deadline | December 31, 2026 |
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Conclusion
If your claims are 100% genuine and backed by physical receipts, you may choose to wait; however, tax experts suggest that filing a response on the Compliance Portal is still safer than total silence. If you find even a minor error, filing a revised return before the year ends is the only way to ensure your refund reaches your bank account without penalties…
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Disclaimer: This information is based on current Income Tax rules and the “Nudge” campaign guidelines for December 2025. Tax laws are subject to change. Please consult a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) for personalized tax advice.
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