Income Tax Refund Status 2026: How to Check Your ITR Refund Online (Step by Step)

Quick answer

You can see your income tax refund status online by logging into the Income Tax e‑Filing portal (incometax.gov.in) or by using the NSDL/TIN portal without a login. After you file and e‑verify your return, the Central Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru updates the status. The latest status appears under “View Filed Returns” on the portal, and you will also get an intimation on your registered email and mobile.

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What happens after you file your ITR

1. E‑verification – Once you submit the return, you must e‑verify it within 30 days. If you do not, the processing does not start.
2. Processing by CPC Bengaluru – The return is sent to the Central Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru. Here the return is checked under new Section 270(1) (earlier Section 143(1)).
3. Intimation – After the CPC finishes its check, an intimation is sent to the taxpayer’s registered email and mobile. The intimation shows the tax payable, the tax to be refunded or any demand.
4. Time‑frame – Usually the CPC takes 4‑5 weeks from the date of e‑verification to finish the check and issue the intimation. The time can stretch if the return is complex or there are mismatches in the data.
5. Refund issuance – If the intimation shows a refund, the CPC initiates the transfer to the bank account mentioned in the return. The amount appears in the “Refund Status” field on the e‑Filing portal.

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Method 1 – Checking refund status on the e‑Filing portal

Follow these steps on a computer or smartphone:

1. Open https://www.incometax.gov.in and click Login.
2. Choose User ID / PAN and enter your PAN, Password, and CAPTCHA. Click Login.
3. From the dashboard, go to e‑File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
4. A table of all assessment years will appear. Locate the year you are interested in and click View Details (the eye icon).

5. In the detailed view you will see:

6. Refund Status – “Under processing”, “Refund issued”, “Refund paid/credited”, “Refund failure”, or “Adjusted against demand”.

7. Refund Amount – The amount the department plans to credit.
8. Date of Issue – When the refund was sent to the bank.

9. Remarks – Any special note such as “Bank details not pre‑validated”.

10. If the status is “Refund issued” but the money has not yet reached your account, note the Date of Issue and give the bank a few working days to clear the credit.

11. For any discrepancy, click the Request Refund Re‑issue button that appears under the same screen. The request goes to the CPC, which reprocesses the refund to the validated account.

Tip: Keep your registered mobile number active. The department sends OTPs and alerts related to the refund.

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Method 2 – Checking refund status on the NSDL/TIN portal (no login)

If you cannot log into the e‑Filing portal, you can still see the status online:

1. Open https://tin.tin.nsdl.com in your browser.
2. Click “Refund Status” from the menu.

3. Enter the following details:

4. PAN (e.g., ABCDE1234F)

5. Assessment Year (e.g., 2025‑2026)

6. CAPTCHA code (the image displayed).

7. Click Submit. The page will display a concise status line:

8. Refund under processing – CPC is still checking.

9. Refund transferred – Money sent to the bank; check your account.

10. Refund failure – Reason will appear (e.g., bank details mismatch).

11. The portal does not show the exact amount, but it confirms whether the department has acted on the refund. For more details, you will need to log into the e‑Filing portal.

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What each refund status message means

Status message	What it tells you	Typical next step
Under processing	CPC is still verifying the return under new Section 270(1).	Wait. Check again after a week.
Refund issued	Department has approved the amount and sent it to the bank.	Verify the credit in your bank statement.
Refund paid/credited	Money has been credited to your bank account.	No action needed. Keep the intimation for records.
Refund failure	Transfer could not be completed (wrong bank details, closed account, etc.).	Follow the “How to fix a failed refund” steps.
Adjusted against outstanding demand	The department used the refund to clear an old tax demand or other dues.	Review the intimation to see the demand that was cleared.

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Why is my refund delayed or not credited yet?

Common reasons behind a lag:

1. Return not e‑verified – The 30‑day e‑verification window was missed. Processing never started.
2. Bank account not pre‑validated – The account mentioned in the return was not pre‑validated in the e‑Filing portal. The CPC cannot credit an unvalidated account.
3. Wrong or closed IFSC code – A typo or a closed bank branch stops the transfer.
4. PAN not linked with Aadhaar – The law requires PAN‑Aadhaar linking. If linkage is missing, the refund can be held.
5. Refund adjusted against old demand – A pending demand for a previous year can be set‑off automatically.
6. Defective return – Errors like mismatched tax deducted at source (TDS) or missing income details cause the CPC to flag the return, and the refund gets held up until you respond to the notice.
7. Bank processing delays – Some banks take extra days to reflect NEFT/RTGS credits, especially for first‑time beneficiaries.

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How to fix a failed refund

If the status shows Refund failure, take the following actions:

1. Identify the reason – Log into the e‑Filing portal, open the return under “View Details”, and read the remark column.
2. Correct bank details –
3. Go to My Profile → Bank Account Details.
4. Click Add / Edit and make sure the account number, IFSC, and account type are exact.
5. Click Validate. The portal will send two small deposits to confirm the account.
6. Link PAN with Aadhaar (if not already done) – Go to the e‑Filing portal’s Link Aadhaar option and complete the linking, or the refund can be held back.
7. Re‑issue the refund – After fixing the details, return to e‑File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns. Click Request Refund Re‑issue for the concerned assessment year. The request goes to the CPC and is reprocessed to the validated account.
8. Wait for intimation – You will receive a fresh intimation once the re‑issue is approved.

Note: You do not need to file a fresh return for a refund failure. Only the bank details or the validation need correction.

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Do you get interest on a delayed refund?

Yes. Interest on a delayed refund is governed by new Section 437 (earlier Section 244A). The key points:

• Rate – 0.5 % per month or part of a month, which equals 6 % per annum.

• When interest starts –

• If the return is filed before the due date and the refund is due, interest starts from 1 April of the assessment year.

• If the return is filed after the due date, interest starts from the date of filing.

• Eligibility – Interest is payable only when the refund amount is at least 10 % of the tax determined in the return. If the refund is less than that, no interest is given.

• Taxability – The interest received is taxable as Income from Other Sources. You must add it while filing your next year’s return. The principal refund amount is not taxable.

Example:
You filed your FY 2025‑26 return on 25 August 2026 (before the 31 August 2026 due date), and the CPC issued a refund on 15 November 2026. The refund is ₹25,000 on a total tax payable of ₹1,50,000 — well above the 10 % test. Interest runs from 1 April 2026 (start of assessment year 2026‑27) to 15 November 2026, which is 8 months: ₹25,000 × 0.5 % × 8 = ₹1,000. You receive ₹26,000, and the ₹1,000 interest is taxable as income from other sources.

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Official sources

• Income Tax e‑Filing portal – https://www.incometax.gov.in
  All steps, intimation, and refund re‑issue options are available here.

• NSDL/TIN Refund Status page – https://tin.tin.nsdl.com
  Provides a quick, login‑free view of the refund status.

• Income Tax Department circulars – Available under the “Notifications” section of the e‑Filing portal. Look for the latest circular on refund processing and interest (new Section 437).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check my income tax refund status online?

Log into the Income Tax e‑Filing portal, go to e‑File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns, and click View Details for the assessment year. You can also use the NSDL/TIN portal by entering your PAN, assessment year, and CAPTCHA.

How long does it take to get an income tax refund after e‑verification?

The Central Processing Centre usually takes 4‑5 weeks after e‑verification to finish the check and issue the refund. After the “Refund issued” status, banks may need a few working days to credit the amount.

Why have I not received my refund after the intimation was sent?

Common causes are an unverified return, wrong or un‑validated bank details, PAN‑Aadhaar not linked, or the refund being adjusted against an old demand. Check the intimation remarks and correct any issues.

What does “refund failure” mean and how do I fix it?

It means the department could not transfer the money, often because of incorrect bank details or an un‑validated account. Fix the bank details in your e‑Filing profile, validate the account, and then request a refund re‑issue from the portal.

Do I get interest on a delayed income tax refund?

Yes. Interest is 0.5 % per month (6 % per annum) under new Section 437. It starts from 1 April of the assessment year if the return was filed on time, otherwise from the filing date, provided the refund is at least 10 % of the tax determined.

Can I check my refund status without logging in to the e‑filing portal?

Yes. Use the NSDL/TIN portal (tin.tin.nsdl.com) and enter your PAN, assessment year, and captcha. It will show a brief status such as “Refund under processing” or “Refund transferred”.

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Last updated: 14 October 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not tax advice. Your refund timeline and interest depend on your individual return and records. Please check the official Income Tax e-Filing portal or consult a qualified tax professional before acting.