Track your ITR refund — 3 free methods, takes 30 seconds
After e-verifying your return, the IT Department typically processes refunds in 7–45 days. This page shows the three official ways to check status, what each status code actually means, and what to do if it's stuck.
Quick refund lookup
Enter PAN and Assessment Year — we'll deep-link you to the correct government tracker page. We don't store anything; the lookup runs on the official portal.
Pick the one that actually works
The Income Tax e-filing portal is the most detailed — but requires login. TIN-NSDL is faster and login-free but less detailed. SMS has been retired. Here's how each works in practice.
Income Tax e-filing portal
Use this if you want full ITR processing details — refund amount, refund mode, banker reference number, status timeline.
- Login at incometax.gov.in using PAN/Aadhaar and password (or net banking).
- From the menu, go to e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
- Find the AY in question (e.g. 2026-27) and click View Details.
- The processing timeline shows: ITR Filed → ITR Verified → ITR Processed → Refund Sent → Refund Credited (with bank details).
TIN-NSDL refund tracker
The older but still operational portal run by Protean (formerly NSDL) for refund tracking. Useful when the e-filing portal is slow during peak filing season.
- Visit tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.html.
- Enter your PAN and select the relevant Assessment Year.
- Type the captcha and hit Submit.
- See refund status: paid / not determined / refund failed / adjusted against demand.
SMS / phone helpdesk
The legacy SMS-to-shortcode service has been retired. For voice support, CPC Bengaluru's helpdesk is reachable on the toll-free numbers below.
- CPC Bengaluru helpdesk: 1800-103-0025 / 1800-419-0025 (toll free, 8am–8pm IST Mon–Fri).
- Refund / Rectification queries: 1800-103-4455.
- Have your PAN, AY, and acknowledgement number ready before calling.
Note: phone wait times can exceed 20 minutes during July–October peak.
What each status actually means
Refund status codes are confusing. Here's the plain-English version with the action you should take in each case.
| Status | Meaning & action |
|---|---|
| Refund Issued | CPC has processed the return, computed the refund, and sent it to your pre-validated bank account via SBI (refund banker). Action: check bank statement within 3–7 working days. If not received, raise refund-reissue request. |
| Refund Failed | SBI tried to credit but failed. Usually due to: bank account not pre-validated, IFSC mismatch, name mismatch (PAN vs bank), or account closed. Action: e-Filing portal → Profile → Bank Accounts → validate. Then Services → Refund Reissue. |
| Pending Verification | Return submitted but not yet e-verified. Refund processing only starts after verification. Action: complete e-verification within 30 days (Aadhaar OTP / net banking / DSC / EVC). Else return is treated as never filed. |
| Under Processing | CPC has accepted your verified return and is processing it. Standard processing time: 7–45 days for ITR-1. Action: wait. If beyond 60 days, raise grievance under e-Nivaran. |
| Adjusted Against Demand | Refund (full or part) has been offset against an outstanding tax demand from a prior AY. You should have received a 245 intimation 30 days before adjustment. Action: check Outstanding Demands tab. If demand is incorrect, file rectification u/s 154 or grievance. |
| No Demand No Refund | Return processed; no refund due (your TDS/advance tax exactly matched liability) and no extra tax payable either. Action: nothing — return is closed. Verify intimation u/s 143(1) matches your computation. |
| Demand Determined | Processing reduced your refund or computed an additional tax payable. Common cause: AIS mismatch on TDS / interest income. Action: review 143(1) intimation. If correct, pay; if not, file rectification u/s 154 within 4 years. |
| Return Invalid | Verification missed within 30 days, or fundamental error in submission. Action: file a fresh return (belated, if before 31 Dec). Original is treated as never filed. |
What to do when the refund just won't come
If status has been "Under Processing" for more than 60 days, or "Refund Issued" for over 7 working days without bank credit, work this checklist top to bottom.
Step 1 — Validate your bank account
Login to the e-filing portal → My Profile → Bank Accounts. The account where you want the refund must show "Validated and EVC-enabled". If it says "Validation failed", retry — usually fixes within 24h after corrections.
Step 2 — Confirm IFSC, account number, and name match
Even one character mismatch (e.g. middle initial in PAN vs. nothing in bank record) can fail the credit. SBI the refund banker performs strict matching.
Step 3 — Raise a Refund Reissue request
If status shows Refund Failed or you don't see credit despite "Refund Issued": e-Filing portal → Services → Refund Reissue → select the AY → confirm bank account → submit. Re-issuance typically takes 30–45 days.
Step 4 — File a grievance under e-Nivaran
If 60+ days have passed since e-verification with no progress, file a grievance: e-Filing portal → Grievances → Submit Grievance → category "Processing". Average resolution: 21 days. Cite your acknowledgement number and AIS verification done.
Step 5 — Contact CPC Bengaluru
Call 1800-103-0025 (toll-free, 8am–8pm IST Mon–Fri). For email, write to ask@incometax.gov.in with PAN, AY, acknowledgement number, and grievance ID (if filed).
If your return is under "Limited Scrutiny" (CASS) or "Faceless Assessment". The 60-day rule of thumb doesn't apply. Limited scrutiny can take 6–12 months. You'll receive a notice u/s 143(2) — respond on time via the e-filing portal. Engage a CA if the notice involves capital gains, foreign income, or ESOPs.
Yes — you get paid for the delay
If the IT Department takes its time, you're entitled to interest on your delayed refund under Section 244A. Most filers don't realise this is automatic — no separate claim needed.
How it's calculated
Simple interest at 0.5% per month (6% per annum) on the refund amount, computed from:
- 1 April of the AY if the return was filed on or before the due date (e.g. 31 July), regardless of when refund is granted.
- Date of filing if the return was filed late.
- Until the date the refund is actually granted (refund order date).
Interest is payable only if the refund equals 10% or more of the total tax determined as payable. The interest itself is taxable as 'income from other sources' in the year it's received — declare it in next year's ITR.
Quick math. ₹50,000 refund delayed by 8 months → ₹50,000 × 0.5% × 8 = ₹2,000 interest credited automatically. Check your refund order (intimation u/s 143(1)) for the breakup.
Six common refund questions answered
How long does an ITR refund take in 2026?
After e-verification, refunds typically credit in 7–45 days for straightforward returns. The CBDT reported an average of 16 days for AY 2024-25 ITR-1 filers. Returns flagged for AIS mismatch or capital gains review can take 60–120 days. Refunds beyond 6 months are unusual and warrant a grievance under e-Nivaran.
What does "refund determined and sent to refund banker" mean?
CPC has processed your return, computed the refund, and forwarded the payment instruction to SBI (the refund banker). Money typically credits to your bank account within 3–7 working days of this status. If 7 days pass without credit, raise a Refund Reissue request.
What if my refund is shown as "failed"?
Most common reasons: bank account not pre-validated, IFSC mismatch, name mismatch (PAN vs bank), or closed account. Login to e-filing portal → My Profile → Bank Accounts, validate the account, then go to Services → Refund Reissue and submit a fresh request.
Do I get interest on a delayed ITR refund?
Yes, automatically under Section 244A — 0.5% per month simple interest from 1 April of the AY (if return filed by due date) until the refund is granted. The interest is taxable in the year received. Applies only if refund ≥ 10% of total tax payable.
Can I check refund status without logging in?
Yes, via TIN-NSDL — visit tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.html, enter PAN and AY, hit Submit. No login needed but the status detail is less than what the e-filing portal shows post-login.
Is the SMS refund status service still active?
The legacy SMS service (sending PAN to a shortcode) has been discontinued. Use the e-filing portal or TIN-NSDL portal instead. CPC Bengaluru helpdesk (1800-103-0025) is reachable for urgent cases between 8am–8pm IST Mon–Fri.