<p>Accelerating urbanization increases municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. MSW incineration is widely adopted, but the flue gas contains high concentrations of nitrogen oxides, dioxins, acid gases such as HCl and SO₂, alkali metals (e.g., K and Na), and heavy metals (e.g., Pb and As), which severely deactivate commercial V₂O₅ − WO₃/TiO₂ selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitration catalysts. This review summarizes recent progress on SCR catalysts designed for MSW incineration flue gas. First, it analyzes flue gas characteristics and multiple poisoning pathways of conventional vanadium-based catalysts. Second, it highlights advances in new poison-resistant catalyst systems, including manganese-, cerium-, and iron-based (inner) transition-metal oxides and metal-exchanged zeolites, discussing their resistance to alkali metals, heavy metals, sulfur, and chlorine. Third, it examines synergistic effects under multipoison coexistence and evaluates emerging design strategies: core–shell architectures for physical shielding and surface sacrificial sites for chemical capture. Finally, it assesses regeneration methods (e.g., acid washing, thermal treatment, and combined routes) and their potential secondary damage. The goal is to guide development of next-generation SCR catalysts with high stability and long service life for MSW incineration flue gas.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>