Understanding Your Income Tax Refund Status in India

When the amount of tax you have paid to the government exceeds your actual tax obligations, an income tax refund occurs. This surplus can result from higher Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) or advance tax payments made throughout the year. You can request this refund when submitting your income tax return. Typically, tax refunds in India are processed via electronic bank transfers, although a refund check can also be issued. You can check the status of your refund online through the official income tax portal or the NSDL portal.

Key points to remember for the 2025 ITR season include that refunds for individuals filing under the new regime with straightforward income structures are often processed quickly. Generally, refunds are credited to your bank account within four to five weeks following e-verification. If there is a delay in your ITR refund, you have the option to file a grievance on the income tax portal or contact the income tax helpline.

What is an Income Tax Refund?

The Income Tax Department issues an income tax refund when a taxpayer has paid more tax than their actual liability for a given financial year. Taxpayers usually remit their taxes by calculating their dues under the self-assessment principle when filing returns. However, discrepancies between the tax paid and the actual tax liability can arise due to various factors, such as excessive TDS deductions, advance tax payments, or errors in tax calculation, leading to an overpayment and subsequent refund.

Refund scenarios also emerge when certain deductions, exemptions, the offsetting of losses, or tax credits effectively reduce the overall tax liability during the return filing process.

Income Tax Refund = Total Taxes Paid - Total Tax Liability

Method of Receiving Refunds

The Income Tax Department remits refund amounts either through an electronic mode (direct bank credit) or by issuing a 'Refund Cheque'. Cheques for refunds are sent to the address provided in the ITR via speed post.

Common Reasons for Refund Delays (FY 2024-25)

If your refund is taking longer than expected to be credited, the following issues might be responsible for the delay.

Bank Account Information

Verify that the bank account details provided are accurate and have been successfully pre-validated. Also, ensure that the bank account remains active. If you have changed your bank account since filing your return, update the details on the portal.

Discrepancy Between Returns and Form 26AS/AIS

Confirm that the information declared in your tax returns matches the data presented in Form 26AS or the Annual Information Statement (AIS). Occasionally, details in AIS or Form 26AS may be incorrect; in such cases, it is advisable to provide feedback.

Filing Returns Near the Deadline

It is consistently recommended to submit your income tax returns well before the official due date. If returns are filed very close to the deadline, the high volume of filings can often lead to delays in refund processing.

Unresolved Notices

The tax department reserves the right to withhold a refund if there are any pending demand notices that have not yet been resolved.

Pending e-Verification

If a tax return has been filed but is awaiting e-verification, the filing process is considered incomplete. Until the filing is fully completed, the refund will not be processed. Therefore, it is advisable to e-verify returns promptly after submission to expedite the refund process.

You can file a grievance on the income tax portal if you experience an unreasonable delay in receiving your refund.

How to Check Your ITR Refund Status for AY 2025-26

If you are concerned about your tax refund, you can easily check its status by following these steps:

Visit the income tax portal and log in to your account.
Click on 'e-File', then select 'Income Tax Returns', and finally choose ‘View Filed Returns’.
You will be able to see the status of your current and previous income tax returns.
Click on 'View details' to display the status of your income tax refund.

Interpreting Your Refund Status

Here is an explanation of various refund statuses and their meanings:

Status	Meaning
No Result Found	This indicates that the IT department found no records for the filed ITR; cross-check the PAN and acknowledgement number.
Refund is already credited to your pre-validated bank account.	The refund has already been credited. For any inquiries, contact: CMP, State Bank of India, Address: Survey No.21 Opposite: Hyderabad Central University, Main Gate, Gachibowli, Hyderabad -500019.
Refund Cheque is already en-cashed	Your income tax refund has been processed and credited to your bank account. If not received, contact: CMP, State Bank of India, Address: Survey No.21 Opposite: Hyderabad Central University, Main Gate, Gachibowli, Hyderabad -500019.
Refund not determined	The IT Department has determined that no refund is due in this specific case.
Unable to credit refund as the account number provided is incorrect	The provided bank account number is incorrect. You must apply for a refund reissue with a pre-validated account number.
Defective return u/s 139(9) (or) ITR filed is defective or incomplete	The filed ITR was deemed defective under Income Tax Law. Check the e-filing website for the precise reason.
ITR Processed but need to submit rectification request	There might be a discrepancy between your calculations and the department's. File a rectification request justifying your claimed refund.
Return submitted. ITR Transferred to Jurisdiction AO	The return will be processed by the jurisdictional Assessing Officer (AO). Contact the AO and make necessary submissions to claim the refund.
Pending for e-verification	The ITR was submitted but not e-verified within 30 days. Verify it to process the return and claim the refund.
Processed with no demand/refund	The ITR was processed without any demand or refund. Review the intimation order u/s 143(1) sent to your email.
Processed with demand due	The return was processed, and tax is payable to the IT department. Check the intimation order u/s 143(1) on your email. Submit a response via the e-filing website under e-file > Response to Outstanding Tax Demand.
Processed with refund due	The return has been processed, and a refund is due; it will be credited to your pre-validated bank account soon.
Refund Failure	The refund could not be credited due to incorrect bank account details. Submit a new refund reissue request under “My account” > Service > Refund Reissue Request.
E-Return for this PAN and Acknowledgement Number has been digitally Signed	The ITR was digitally signed and filed successfully.
Under Processing	The income tax department has not yet processed your income tax return. Check the refund status again in approximately one month for updates.
Refund Issued	The income tax department has dispatched your refund (either by cheque or direct credit). No further action is required.
Return Submitted and Verified	The return has been submitted and verified. Await the refund credit in a few days.
Invalid original return, File Revised Return	The original return was deemed invalid, requiring you to file a revised return to claim your refund.
Return Processed and Rectification Rights Transferred To Assessing Office	The return was processed and transferred to the jurisdictional AO. An offline rectification request to the AO will help you get the refund.
Return Processed. Refund Adjusted Against Demand (or) Refund kept on hold, Intimation u/s 245 is issued proposing adjustment of refund towards outstanding demand.	If any outstanding tax is due to the department, the IT department will adjust the refund against that demand. Before adjustment, a notice u/s 245 will be sent for your confirmation. If no response is submitted, the department proceeds with the adjustment.
ITR Accepted	The ITR has been successfully received and is awaiting processing.
ITR-V rejected	This indicates that the filed return is defective.
Return Submitted and verified after the due date.	The ITR was received more than 30 days after filing, requiring a new return submission.
Successfully e-Verified after due date	A condonation request for the return e-verified after 30 days has been received by the IT department. The return is transferred to the AO and is considered invalid until approved.
Rectification processed with refund due	The rectification request has been processed, and a refund is due.
Rectification processed with no demand/refund	The rectification request has been successfully processed with no demand or refund due.
Processed and partially refund adjusted	The refund was partially processed by adjusting it against tax payable from previous years. The department sends a notice u/s 245 for your confirmation before adjustment.
Under Processing Original return will not be considered, as revised return is taken up for processing	A revised return, once filed, replaces the original return. This status indicates the revised return is currently under processing.
Another Return filed	Another return was filed; check with the other acknowledgement number.
Refund Re-issue failure	The refund reissue request failed due to incorrect details. Submit a new request to receive the refund.
Rectification filed	A rectification request has been filed and is currently being processed.
Refund is determined - Yet to be shared with the Refund banker	The refund amount has been determined and validated by the department. The department is now verifying the taxpayer's bank account. If valid, the refund is credited; if invalid, it is intimated on the portal.
Restricted Refund	This arises from a discrepancy between the name on the PAN and the bank account.

How to Request a Refund Re-issue?

If a refund fails to be credited, you can initiate a refund re-issue request on the e-filing portal by following these steps:

Log in to the ‘e-Filing’ Portal.
Navigate to the Services menu and click on ‘Refund reissue’.
Select the relevant Assessment Year and click 'Continue'.
The next page will display your bank details. Click 'Submit' to send the request on the subsequent page.

Income Tax Refund Helpline

For any questions regarding income tax refunds, you can contact the ‘Aaykar Sampark Kendra’. The toll-free helpline number is 1800-180-1961. You can also email your refund inquiry to refunds@incometax.gov.in.

For refund-related queries or modifications concerning refunds processed at CPC Bangalore, contact 1800-425-2229 or 080-43456700.

For any payment-related questions, the SBI Contact Centre toll-free number is 1800-425-9760.