How to Check Your Income Tax Refund Status
Track an income tax refund through the e-Filing portal and TIN-NSDL — what each status means (processed, sent for refund, failed) and what to do when the refund is held back.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- incometax.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Annual
- Issuing Authority
- Income Tax Department
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
If you over-paid tax through TDS / advance tax / self-assessment, the refund is processed by CPC (Central Processing Centre) after your return is verified and processed. Tracking is done either on the e-Filing portal (most accurate) or on TIN-NSDL (alternate view).
The two most common issues are:
- Failed refund — the bank account on file isn't pre-validated, or has been closed. Fix by updating + pre-validating the bank account in your e-Filing profile, then raise a Refund Re-issue request.
- Refund on hold — CPC sees a pending demand from earlier years, or your PAN-Aadhaar link is incomplete, or the return is under scrutiny. Each reason has a specific fix; the e-Filing portal usually shows which one applies.
If you're stuck, file a grievance through the e-Filing e-Nivaran module — it's the fastest route to a CPC response.
Eligibility
- You filed an ITR claiming a refund.
- Your return has been processed by CPC (or is in queue).
- Your bank account is pre-validated and PAN-linked.
Required documents
PAN
RequiredPrimary identity credential for logging in.
To log in to the e-Filing portal.
OriginalAcknowledgement Number of the filed ITR
OptionalUnique reference to your filed return for tracking.
Used for refund tracking on TIN-NSDL too.
PDFEmailPre-validated bank account
RequiredDestination account for refund credit — must be pre-validated.
Refunds are credited only to a bank account pre-validated on the e-Filing portal and linked to PAN.
Online verification
Step-by-step process
- 1
Log in to the e-Filing portal
Go to incometax.gov.in and log in with PAN + password.
incometax.gov.in ↗ - 2
Open 'View Filed Returns'
Choose 'e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns'. Find the relevant Assessment Year.
- 3
Click 'View Details'
The page shows the return status (Processed, Refund Pending, Refund Sent, Refund Failed) and the latest update.
- 4
Check the refund status banner
If refund has been issued, the banner shows the refund reference number, date, and bank account credited.
- 5
Also check on TIN-NSDL
For an alternate view, visit incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal and enter PAN + Assessment Year.
incometax.gov.in ↗ - 6
If status shows 'Refund Failed'
Re-validate your bank account on the e-Filing portal under 'Profile → My Bank Account'. Then raise a refund re-issue request from the 'Services → Refund Re-issue' menu.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
incometax.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Income Tax Department, Government of India (CPC Bengaluru)
- Approving Officer
- Assessing Officer (AO) / CPC Processing Unit
- For Offline Applications
- Centralised Processing Centre (CPC), Income Tax Department, Bengaluru – 560500
What happens after applying
- 1
Return filed and e-verified
Your ITR is submitted and e-verified within 30 days. CPC receives it for processing.
- 2
CPC processing
CPC validates income, TDS credits, and deductions. Status shows 'Successfully Verified' or 'Under Processing'.
- 3
Intimation under Section 143(1)
CPC sends an intimation email with the computed tax and refund amount. Status updates to 'Processed'.
- 4
Refund initiated
If a refund is due, CPC issues a refund to your pre-validated bank account. Status shows 'Refund Sent'.
- 5
Credit to bank
Refund is credited to your bank account via ECS/NEFT. Allow 7–10 working days from the 'Refund Sent' date.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Bank account not pre-validated
Why: Refunds are only credited to accounts pre-validated on the e-Filing portal. Unvalidated accounts cause a 'Refund Failed' status.
Fix: Log in to the e-Filing portal, go to 'Profile → My Bank Account', and pre-validate your account. Then raise a Refund Re-issue request.
PAN not linked with Aadhaar
Why: If PAN-Aadhaar linkage is pending, CPC may put the refund on hold.
Fix: Complete PAN-Aadhaar linking on the e-Filing portal or at an NSDL/UTIITSL centre before checking refund status.
Outstanding demand from earlier years
Why: CPC can adjust (offset) a current year refund against any outstanding tax demand from previous assessment years.
Fix: Check 'Pending Actions → Response to Outstanding Demand' on the e-Filing portal. Pay or dispute the demand as applicable.
Wrong bank account number entered
Why: An incorrect IFSC or account number results in a failed credit, and the refund bounces back to CPC.
Fix: Update and pre-validate the correct bank account, then use 'Services → Refund Re-issue' to request re-credit.
Return under scrutiny or selected for audit
Why: If the return is selected for scrutiny under Section 143(2), refund may be withheld pending assessment completion.
Fix: Respond to notices within the prescribed time. Refund is released after assessment is completed.
Checking TIN-NSDL instead of e-Filing portal
Why: TIN-NSDL data can lag behind the e-Filing portal by several days. Relying on it may show stale status.
Fix: Always check the e-Filing portal first. TIN-NSDL is only an alternate reference.
Special situations
Refund partially adjusted against a demand▾
CPC sends an intimation showing the adjustment. You receive only the net amount. If you disagree with the demand, file a rectification request under Section 154.
Refund issued more than once (duplicate credit)▾
Very rare but possible after a re-issue request when the original credit was also processed late. Disclose the excess refund and pay it back to avoid penal interest under Section 234D.
Refund for a revised return filed after original▾
CPC processes the revised return. The refund amount is recalculated based on the revised figures. Allow additional processing time.
NRI or RNOR filer claiming refund▾
Refund can only be credited to an NRO/NRE account pre-validated on the portal. FCRA-regulated accounts may face additional validation.
Deceased taxpayer's refund▾
The legal heir must register on the e-Filing portal as a legal heir, file the return on behalf of the deceased, and the refund is credited to the legal heir's bank account.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the refund take?▾
CPC processing time varies — anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. Status is visible at every stage on the e-Filing portal.
Why is my refund 'on hold'?▾
Common reasons: pending demand from earlier years, return under scrutiny, PAN-Aadhaar not linked, or bank account not pre-validated.
Refund issued but not received in bank?▾
Wait 7–10 days. If still not credited, raise a refund re-issue request after verifying the bank account is pre-validated.
Can I update the bank account for refund credit after filing?▾
Yes. Update the bank account in your e-Filing profile, pre-validate it, and request refund re-issue.
What does 'Refund Sent' status mean?▾
'Refund Sent' means CPC has dispatched the refund to your bank. It typically takes 7–10 working days to appear in your account.
What is a 'Refund Re-issue' request?▾
A Refund Re-issue request is raised when a refund fails — for example, because the bank account was closed or not pre-validated. You submit a fresh request from 'Services → Refund Re-issue' on the e-Filing portal after fixing the bank account.
How do I check the reason for a failed refund?▾
On the e-Filing portal, go to 'e-File → View Filed Returns', click 'View Details' on the relevant return. The failure reason is shown alongside the status.
Can my refund be adjusted against tax dues of my spouse?▾
No. Refund can only be adjusted against the taxpayer's own dues (under Section 245), not against dues of another person.
What is Section 245 notice?▾
A Section 245 notice is issued when CPC intends to adjust your refund against a previous demand. You must respond within 30 days — either agreeing to the adjustment or disputing the demand.
Is the refund amount taxable?▾
The principal refund amount is not taxable. However, refund interest paid by the department under Section 244A is taxable as 'Income from Other Sources'.
How do I raise a grievance if my refund is stuck?▾
Log in to the e-Filing portal and go to 'e-Nivaran → Submit Grievance'. Choose the relevant category and describe the issue. You'll receive a ticket number and a response within 30 days.
What if I filed the return but never e-verified it — will I get a refund?▾
No. An unverified return is treated as not filed. No refund is processed. E-verify within 30 days of filing.
Can the refund be credited to a joint bank account?▾
Yes, as long as the account is pre-validated on the e-Filing portal and the PAN of the primary holder matches the taxpayer's PAN.
I received a smaller refund than expected. What should I do?▾
Check the Section 143(1) intimation email for the computed tax. If CPC made an error, file a rectification request under Section 154 on the e-Filing portal.
What is the interest on delayed refunds?▾
Under Section 244A, the department pays simple interest at 0.5% per month on delayed refunds from the date of filing (or 1 April of the assessment year, whichever is later) to the date of granting the refund.
Official sources
- Income Tax e-Filing Portal ↗
eportal.incometax.gov.in
Primary portal for checking refund status, raising re-issue requests, and filing grievances.
- TIN-NSDL Refund Status ↗
tin.tin.nsdl.com
Alternate refund status view using PAN and Assessment Year.
- e-Nivaran Grievance Portal ↗
eportal.incometax.gov.in
For raising refund-related grievances directly with CPC.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.