The topic itself is sensitive. I am surprised why there is no product in the list and no one wrote on this. I believe like me many among us must be tax payers and must have come across similar experience. I have been tax payer for last forty years.
I filed a return for FY 05-06 with a refund claim of 5000+. I wrote to department after 18 months of filing return a letter claiming and reminding my refund by courier. Next letter was sent after a few months by registered post. Next letter was handed over personally by my consultant. After another few months on personnel follow up by consultant he got news that refund is credited direct to my bank. I checked with bank and again told the consultant to follow up. Today after nearly 42 months I got a refund order at my home.
I handle my business and family files for Income tax. Deal with department through consultants only as it takes a lot of time to handle them. One most important point to stress is that my refund a few years back used to be in tange of 40000-50000. I used to get refund order in time before end of 12 months of filing return. The refund order with cheque used to be hand delivered. Of course all the time it was costing something directly or indirectly. That is a tip was asked. In a small refund they can not ask tip so why should any one in department take interest to process and dispatch refund orders.
I can imagine there may be lacs opf tax payers for whom even a rupee is important. They might be struggling for refund and hiring services of consultants at a high cost. Many of consultants over and above their service charge take money in name of department officers. the income tax commissioners appear on tv channel and press and assure of improved working of their department but they very well know of their colleagues and staff. I invite members of MS to comment and write more reviews sharing their experiences.