Status of ITR: How to Check Your Income Tax Refund Status in India?
For millions of taxpayers in India, the completion of the financial year brings one major anticipation: the income tax refund status. After meticulously filing your returns and ensuring every deduction is claimed, waiting for the credit in your bank account can often feel like a test of patience. Whether you are a salaried professional in Pune or a growing entrepreneur, understanding the lifecycle of your income tax return status is crucial for financial planning.
My Finance Gyan provides the latest updated information and simplified guidance to help taxpayers navigate Income Tax Department procedures with confidence. With insights inspired by experienced tax professionals like Govind S. Jethani and Nikhil Rajarshi, this comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about ITR refund status check, reasons for ITR refund delay, and how to stay updated for Assessment Year 2025–26.
Introduction to Income Tax Refund in India:
An income tax refund arises when the tax you have paid (through TDS, Advance Tax, or Self-Assessment Tax) exceeds your actual tax liability calculated for the year. Essentially, it is your own hard-earned money being returned to you by the government.
However, receiving this amount isn’t automatic upon filing. The Income Tax Department must first process your ITR and verify the claims. If you find your income tax refund pending, it usually means the department is still in the “Processing” stage or has encountered a discrepancy. My Finance Gyan provides the latest updated information and practical guidance to help taxpayers file accurately, understand refund timelines, and reduce the chances of an income tax refund delay in 2025.
Different Ways to Check Income Tax Refund Status:
Gone are the days when you had to visit the tax office or wait for a physical letter. Today, income tax refund tracking is entirely digital. There are primarily two official ways to check your status:
- The Income Tax E-Filing Portal: The most detailed way to see the “life cycle” of your return.
- The NSDL (Protean) Website: A quick, “no-login” method to see the payment status once the refund is dispatched.
By using these tools, you can identify if your itr not processed yet or if there is a refund failure due to bank account issues.
How to Check Income Tax Refund Status Online?
Checking your itr refund status on the official e-filing portal is the most reliable method. Here is a step-by-step breakdown:
- Visit the official website: incometax.gov.in.
- Log in using your PAN and password.
- Navigate to the ‘e-File’ tab > ‘Income Tax Returns’ > ‘View Filed Returns’.
- Check the status of the relevant Assessment Year (e.g., AY 2025-26).
- Click on ‘View Details’ to see the step-by-step progress, from “Successfully e-Verified” to “Processed” and finally “itr refund credited.”
How to Check Income Tax Refund Status on NSDL Website?
If your status on the e-filing portal shows “Refund Issued,” but you haven’t received the money, use the nsdl refund status tool.
- Go to the TIN-NSDL Refund Tracking page.
- Enter your PAN.
- Select the Assessment Year.
- Enter the Captcha and click ‘Proceed’.
- The refund status on nsdl will show the exact date the money was sent to your bank.
How to Check ITR Refund Status by PAN Number?
While both portals require your PAN, the “Know Your ITR Status” feature on the e-filing homepage allows you to check the itr refund status by pan number without logging in. You simply need your PAN, the Acknowledgement Number, and a mobile number for OTP verification. This is particularly helpful for a quick check on the go.
Understanding Income Tax Refund Status Messages:
When you perform an itr refund status check, you might encounter various messages. Understanding them is key to knowing your next move:
- Successfully e-Verified: Your return is received, but the itr not processed yet.
- Processed: The department has finished checking your return.
- Refund Determined: The department agrees you are owed a refund.
- Refund Failure: The money was sent but couldn’t reach your account (often due to an unvalidated bank account or incorrect IFSC). In this case, you must submit a refund reissue request income tax on the portal.
- No Demand No Refund: Your tax paid exactly matches your liability.
- Defective Return (Section 139(9)): There is an error in your filing that needs correction.
If you are confused by these terms, our tax expert team at Startup Portal Business Service, led by Govind S. Jethani and Nikhil Rajarshi, can help you interpret notices and file the necessary responses.
Income Tax Refund Processing Time in India (2025):
One of the most common questions is: “What is the itr refund timeline?”
Historically, it took months. However, for the income tax refund processing time in 2025, the average has dropped significantly. Many taxpayers now see their returns processed within 15 to 45 days of e-verification.
However, the tds refund time can vary based on the complexity of the return. For instance, ITR-1 (Sahaj) is usually processed faster than ITR-3 or ITR-4. If your income tax refund not received within 60 days, it is time to dig deeper into the reasons for the delay.
Reasons for Income Tax Refund Delay:
An income tax refund delay can be frustrating, especially when you are counting on that liquidity. Common reasons for income tax refund pending status include:
- Incorrect Bank Details: If your bank account is not “Pre-validated” on the portal, the refund will fail.
- Mismatch in TDS: If the TDS claimed in your ITR doesn’t match Form 26AS, the system will trigger an itr refund delay.
- Additional Scrutiny: For AY 2025-26, the department is using advanced AI to flag “Risk Management” cases, especially where high refunds are claimed compared to previous years.
- Outstanding Demands: If you owe tax from a previous year, the department may adjust your current refund against that old debt.
- Unverified ITR: If you forgot to e-verify your return within the 30-day window, your return is treated as “Invalid,” leading to an indefinite income tax refund delay 2025.
If your status shows as “Processed” but you still see the income tax refund not received, check if your PAN is linked with your Aadhaar, as an inoperative PAN can block refund credits.
Income Tax Refund Interest:
Did you know the government pays you for the delay? Under Section 244A, if your refund is more than 10% of your tax liability, you are entitled to income tax refund interest.
The interest is calculated at 0.5% per month (or 6% annually). It usually starts from April 1st of the Assessment Year if the return was filed by the due date. This makes the wait a little more bearable, though the interest received is itself taxable under “Income from Other Sources.”
Conclusion:
Monitoring your income tax refund status is a vital part of your annual financial hygiene. While the system is becoming more automated, errors in filing can still lead to an itr refund delay. Whether it’s a simple case of the itr not processed yet or a complex refund reissue request income tax, staying informed helps you take the right action at the right time.
For residents and business owners looking for ITR filing in Pune, Startup Portal Business Service offers end-to-end support. Our tax expert consultants ensure that your filings are robust, accurate, and optimized for the fastest possible processing. Don’t let an income tax refund delay 2025 disrupt your cash flow—trust the professionals to handle your compliance.
Get your refund credited without the stress!
Contact Startup Portal Business Service Today. Call us or visit our Pune office to schedule a consultation with our experts!
FAQ - Income tax refund Status:
Refunds are often delayed because the Income Tax Department’s system finds a mismatch between your filed ITR and their internal records (like Form 26AS or AIS). Other common reasons include failing to e-verify your return within the 30-day window, having an unvalidated bank account, or entering an incorrect IFSC code. High-value refund claims also undergo extra scrutiny in 2025.
In 2025, the itr refund processing time has become much faster. On average, it takes 15 to 45 days after you e-verify your return. However, if your case is complex, it can take up to 90 days.
You can check your status on the official Income Tax e-filing portal under the ‘e-File’ menu by selecting ‘View Filed Returns’. Another quick way is the NSDL (Protean) Refund Tracking website. Simply enter your PAN and the relevant Assessment Year (e.g., 2025-26) to see if the refund has been dispatched to your bank or if it has encountered a technical failure.
Once your status says “Refund Issued,” the money usually hits your bank account within 2 to 5 working days. Ensure your bank account is active and linked to your PAN.
This is a normal stage. It means the Income Tax Department’s system is currently verifying your tax calculations and TDS claims. At this stage, Startup Portal Business Service experts suggest you just wait, as no action is required from your side yet.
The top reasons for an itr refund delay in 2025 include mismatched TDS data in Form 26AS, claiming deductions that weren’t reported to your employer, or an inactive PAN. Many delays are also caused by system-driven “Risk Management” checks for unusually high refund claims. Always ensure your bank account name matches your PAN exactly to avoid credit failures.
Go to the NSDL (Protean) Refund Tracking website. Enter your PAN number, select the Assessment Year (e.g., 2025-26), and enter the captcha. It will show you the exact date the refund was dispatched or if it failed.
If your refund is stuck, first check your “Pending Actions” on the e-filing portal to see if any notices were issued. Ensure your bank account is pre-validated. If the status says “Refund Failure,” use the “Service Request” tab to ask for a refund reissue. If the delay exceeds 90 days without any notice, you can file a grievance on the portal for a faster resolution.
Yes! If your refund is more than 10% of your total tax, the department pays 0.5% interest per month (6% per year). This is called interest under Section 244A.
To get your money faster, file your return early and e-verify it immediately using Aadhaar OTP. Double-check your bank details and ensure your account is pre-validated before filing. Matching your claims with Form 26AS and AIS beforehand prevents “mismatch” flags that trigger manual scrutiny. Early, accurate filing is the most effective way to ensure a quick credit.
