Your Income-Tax Refund Is Held by a Name Mismatch

What's happening

An income-tax refund is credited to a bank account that must be pre-validated against your PAN. If the name on your PAN differs from the name on your bank account — a maiden name after marriage, or a spelling difference — bank-account validation fails and the refund can't be released until the records agree.

Why it happens

• Your bank account is in a maiden name but PAN shows another.
• A spelling or initial differs between PAN and the bank.
• PAN and Aadhaar themselves differ, affecting validation.
• A different name was used when the account was opened.

How to fix it

1. Align PAN and Aadhaar to one correct name first (validation keys off PAN).
2. Update the bank account to the same name and re-validate it on the tax portal.
3. Reissue the refund once the pre-validated account name matches PAN.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Fixing the bank before PAN and Aadhaar agree.
• Re-validating the account before the names match.
• Assuming a Gazette updates PAN or the bank automatically.
• Not disclosing every version of your name.

See PAN name change and bank KYC mismatch; the Income Tax Department and your bank act under their own rules.