Admitting that many Income Tax refunds were still pending, the I-T Department today decided to "clean up the mismatched TDS database" due to which the refunds were held up.

An I-T Department release said, "The Income Tax Department has taken the initiative to clean up the mismatched TDS data base. Many refunds are pending with the IT Department due to the mismatch of tax paid by the assessee, but the same is not being reflected in the computer software of the department."

The release said that the department is concerned about the same as the problem has risen either due to wrong PAN numbers mentioned by assesses while paying tax or wrong PAN number mentioned by the deductor while deducting the TDS of the deductee.

I-T Department officials have also commenced on the process of holding discussions with various bodies, including the I-T Advocates' Association and Industries Association, so that the issue of mismatched TDS data could be resolved.

"The adverse consequences of incorrect quoting of PAN are faced primarily by the deductees and, therefore, it is also his duty to provide correct PAN to the deductor and ensure that the same is mentioned during deduction of taxes," the release said.

The department has also decided to generate a list of persons in the next fortnight to identify persons whose refunds could not be issued due to the mismatch of TDS, so affected persons could take remedial action to resolve the issue.