How to check your refund status
- Log in to the e-filing portal.
- Go to e-File, then Income Tax Returns, then View Filed Returns.
- Pick the assessment year (2026-27 for income earned in FY 2025-26) and open View Details to see each stage of your return.
Processing starts only after you e-verify. A return you filed but never verified is treated as not filed.
Why a refund fails or gets stuck
| Status or problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Return not e-verified | E-verify it now with Aadhaar OTP or net banking. |
| PAN inoperative (not linked with Aadhaar) | Link PAN with Aadhaar. Until then, the refund and its interest are held. |
| Bank account not pre-validated | Pre-validate it under My Profile, Bank Account. |
| Name on the bank account doesn't match your PAN | Correct the name with your bank, or add a matching account. |
| Wrong IFSC, or a closed account | Add and validate your current account. |
| Refund adjusted against an old demand | Check the intimation. If the demand is wrong, respond to it on the portal. |
How to ask for a refund reissue
If the status says the refund failed, fix the cause, then go to Services and choose Refund Reissue. Pick the account, e-verify with Aadhaar OTP, a DSC or an EVC, and keep the transaction ID.
Interest on a late refund
A refund of TDS or advance tax earns interest of 0.5% a month (6% a year). If you filed by the due date, it runs from 1 April after the year ends; if you filed late, from the date you filed. No interest is paid if the refund is less than 10% of your tax for the year, and delays you caused don't count.
Refund smaller than you expected?
The tax department's intimation shows how it worked out your tax. Common reasons: interest income missing from your return, TDS that doesn't match Form 26AS, or a deduction it didn't accept. If the intimation is wrong, file a rectification request on the portal. If your return was wrong, you can file a revised return until 31 March 2027.
Common questions
How do I check my income tax refund status?
Log in to the e-filing portal and go to e-File, Income Tax Returns, View Filed Returns. Choose the assessment year and open View Details.
How long does an income tax refund take?
Usually 4 to 5 weeks after you e-verify your return. Processing doesn't start until the return is e-verified.
Why has my refund failed?
Most often because your PAN isn't linked with Aadhaar, your bank account isn't pre-validated, or the name on the account doesn't match your PAN. Fix the cause, then request a refund reissue under Services.
Do I get interest on a delayed refund?
Yes, 0.5% a month on a refund of TDS or advance tax, from 1 April if you filed by the due date or from the filing date if you filed late. None is paid if the refund is under 10% of your tax.
Two ways to sort this
Do it yourself
- Check the status on the e-filing portal: e-File, Income Tax Returns, View Filed Returns.
- Make sure the return is e-verified and your PAN is linked with Aadhaar.
- Pre-validate your bank account under My Profile, and check the name matches your PAN.
- If the refund failed, request a reissue under Services, Refund Reissue.
- If the refund is lower than you claimed, read the intimation and file a rectification or a revised return.
Let an expert do it
We find why your refund is stuck, fix it on the portal, and follow it up until it's credited.
The first chat is freeWork it out for yourself
- Income tax: old vs new: Which regime leaves more in your account.
- Late filing fee and interest: Fee and interest if you file after the deadline.
Not sure your refund amount is right? Recheck your tax for the year.
Open the income tax calculatorSources
- Refund status: user manual, Income Tax Department e-filing portal
- Refund reissue: user manual, Income Tax Department e-filing portal
- Section 244A: interest on refunds, Income Tax Department
This guide explains the rules in general. For your own situation, .