How to Check Income Tax Refund Status Online — Step-by-Step Guide 2026
By Parul Singh, GST Practitioner · ITR Filing · Updated June 2026
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How to Check Income Tax Refund Status
In my 15+ years of practice in Karol Bagh, New Delhi, the most common question I get after ITR filing is: When will my refund come? Every year, thousands of taxpayers in Delhi wait anxiously for their income tax refund. Let me walk you through exactly how to check your refund status and what to do if it is stuck.
Official Reference: Section 237 of the Income Tax Act 1961 provides for refund of excess tax paid. The CPC (Centralized Processing Centre) Bangalore processes refunds after ITR verification. Refunds are issued through ECS/direct credit to bank account or by cheque.
There are two official ways to check your income tax refund status:
- Income Tax e-Filing Portal -- incometax.gov.in
- NSDL/TIN-NSDL Portal -- tin.tin.nsdl.com
📍 Real Example -- Salaried Employee from Dwarka
Amit, a software engineer in Dwarka, filed ITR-1 on 15 July 2025 showing a refund of ₹32,400. He e-verified immediately using Aadhaar OTP. His refund was credited to his bank account on 28 August 2025 -- just 43 days after filing. Key reason: he e-verified within the window and his bank account was pre-validated on the IT portal.
Step-by-Step Process to Check Refund Status
Method 1: Income Tax Portal
- Go to incometax.gov.in and log in with your PAN and password
- Go to e-File, then Income Tax Returns, then View Filed Returns
- Select the relevant Assessment Year (e.g., AY 2026-27 for FY 2025-26)
- Click on your ITR acknowledgment number
- Check the status -- it will show: Successfully Verified, Processed, or Refund Issued
- If refund is issued, you will see the refund amount and the ECS reference number
Method 2: NSDL Portal
- Go to tin.tin.nsdl.com/titan/refundstatuslogin.html
- Enter your PAN
- Select the Assessment Year
- Enter the CAPTCHA
- Click Submit to view refund status
💡 Pro Tip from Parul: Always pre-validate your bank account on the IT portal before filing your return. I have seen many clients in Connaught Place and Nehru Place wait months for refunds simply because their bank account was not pre-validated. The refund is always credited to the pre-validated account -- if there is none, the refund is issued by cheque which takes much longer.
Why Refunds Are Delayed -- Common Reasons
Based on my experience handling 500+ refund cases in Delhi, here are the top reasons for delay:
| Reason | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| ITR not e-verified | E-verify immediately via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or bank ATM |
| Bank account not pre-validated | Add and validate bank account on IT portal |
| Mismatch in ITR data | Check for discrepancies in income, TDS, or bank details |
| Outstanding demand from previous year | Check and respond to demand notice under Section 245 |
| Return selected for scrutiny | Wait for assessment or respond to notice under Section 143(2) |
| Incorrect ITR form used | File revised return with correct form |
⚠️ Common Mistake: The most common mistake I see in Delhi is taxpayers ignoring the Section 245 adjustment notice. If you have an outstanding demand from a previous year, the IT department will adjust your current refund against it. You must respond within 30 days -- either accept the adjustment or dispute it. If you do nothing, your refund gets adjusted automatically and you lose the right to contest.
Tracking on TRACES
For TDS-related refunds, you can also track on the TRACES portal (tdscpc.gov.in). This is useful when your Form 26AS shows TDS but the refund does not reflect in your ITR processing.
📍 Real Example -- Freelancer in South Extension
Priya, a freelance graphic designer in South Extension, had ₹48,000 TDS deducted by her clients but her refund of ₹36,000 was stuck for 3 months. When I checked, her Form 26AS showed TDS entries but her ITR had declared different income figures. After filing a revised return with corrected figures matching Form 26AS, her refund was processed within 45 days. Lesson: always match your ITR data with Form 26AS before filing.
What to Do If Refund Not Received
If your refund is delayed beyond 6 months from the date of filing, here are the steps:
- Check status on both portals -- IT portal and NSDL
- Verify e-verification was completed -- unverified returns are not processed
- Check for demand notices -- under Section 245, refunds may be adjusted
- Raise a grievance -- on the IT portal: e-Nivaran, then Submit Grievance
- File RTI -- if grievance is not resolved in 30 days
- Claim interest -- under Section 244A, you are entitled to interest at 0.5% per month (6% p.a.) on refund amount if it is delayed beyond the time limit
Official Reference: Section 244A of the Income Tax Act 1961 provides for interest on delayed refunds at the rate of 0.5% per month (6% per annum) from the date of filing return or the date the refund becomes due, whichever is later, till the date of refund payment.
💡 Pro Tip from Parul: If you are struggling with a delayed refund, WhatsApp me at +91 95401 04776. I have helped dozens of businesses and individuals in Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, and across Delhi get their stuck refunds released. In most cases, the issue is a simple data mismatch that can be fixed with a revised return or a rectification request under Section 154.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an income tax refund?
Typically 20-45 days from e-verification for simple ITR-1 returns. Complex returns with capital gains or business income may take 2-6 months. If not received within 6 months, raise a grievance on the IT portal.
Can I check refund status without logging in?
Yes, through the NSDL/TIN portal (tin.tin.nsdl.com). You only need your PAN and Assessment Year. No login required.
Why does my refund status show Adjusted against outstanding demand?
This means you have an unpaid tax demand from a previous year. The IT department has adjusted your current refund against that demand under Section 245. You should have received a notice -- respond to it promptly.
Do I get interest on delayed refund?
Yes, under Section 244A, interest at 0.5% per month (6% per annum) is payable on delayed refunds. This is automatically calculated and credited along with the refund.
What is pre-validated bank account?
A bank account that you have verified on the IT portal for receiving refunds. Only pre-validated accounts receive refunds via ECS. Without it, refunds are sent by cheque which takes longer.
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