After filing your Income Tax Return (ITR), the next step is to wait for your ITR refund. Are there any delays in receiving the tax refund? If you qualify for a refund, how long does it usually take to process? Before checking the status of your refund, ensure that you have e-verified your ITR. Failing to do so could render your filing incomplete and invalidate your ITR.
How to Check Income Tax Refund Status?
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Navigate to the website.
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Access your account by logging in using your USER ID, which should correspond to your PAN number, along with your password and the provided captcha code.
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Head to the "View Returns / Forms" section.
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Locate the 'Select An Option' feature and choose 'Income tax Returns' from the drop-down menu.
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Provide the required details for the assessment year and proceed with the submission.
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Click on the pertinent ITR acknowledgment number to view the status of your ITR refund.
Steps to Follow If the ITR Refund is Not Processed
Typically, the CDC (Centralized Processing Center) takes around 20-45 days to process income tax refunds after handling your ITR (Income Tax Return). If you haven't received your refund within this timeframe, the first step is to visit the e-filing portal or NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) and check the refund status. Based on the information provided, you may need to resubmit your returns, exercise patience for a little longer, or contact the jurisdictional assessing officer to understand the cause of the delay.
Alternatively, you can also inquire about your income tax refund status with NSDL. By visiting the NSDL portal and providing essential details like PAN and assessment year, you can check the status of your income tax refund.
If you have any queries regarding your refund, you can reach out to the Notification and Processing centre at 18001034455 or +91-80-46605200. The centre is available from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM. Additionally, you have the option to send an email to refunds@incometaxindia.gov.in for further assistance.
What To Do If Interest On Delayed Income Tax Refund Is Due?
If there is a delay in receiving the income tax refund due to an issue at the Income Tax Department's end, you may be entitled to receive interest on the refund as per Section 244A of the Income Tax Act. The government will pay interest on the refund if the total refund amount is 10% or more of the tax actually paid.
If you have filed your returns before the due date, the IT department will pay an interest of 0.5% from the 1st of April to the date when the refund is granted. However, it's important to note that interest will not be paid if the total refund amount is less than 10% of the tax.
Setting-Off Outstanding Taxes against Refunds
On certain occasions, you might observe that the income tax refund you receive is less than the amount you had initially claimed. This could happen if you have pending income tax dues from a previous year, and the Income Tax Department decides to adjust it against your current refund claim.
It is essential to be aware that, according to Section 245 of the Income Tax Act, the IT Department is obligated to inform you about this adjustment through an intimation. You will have a 30-day window to either accept or reject this adjustment. If you fail to respond within this timeframe, the IT Department will proceed with the adjustment accordingly.
