Waiting for your tax refund? Here's how to track it and avoid delays

Income tax return: Have you filed your income tax return and are now awaiting a refund? Here’s how you can track its status through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.

To begin, visit the income tax department’s official e-filing website at incometax.gov.in. Before proceeding, ensure that your PAN and Aadhaar are linked.

Here's a step-by-step guide

• Log in: Access the e-filing portal and log in using your credentials.
• Navigate to 'View filed returns': Under the 'e-file' tab, select 'View filed returns'.
• View details: Click on 'View details' to see the history and current status of your filed returns.

If your refund has been processed, the portal will display:

• Mode of payment
• Refund amount
• Date of clearance

However, be prepared for various outcomes:

• Your refund might be partially adjusted against any outstanding taxes.
• The entire refund amount could be adjusted if there are tax dues.
• There's also a possibility of refund rejection or failure to credit it to your bank account, with reasons provided.

For instance, if your PAN isn't linked to Aadhaar, you'll be alerted to complete this process and pay any applicable penalties under section 234/H (Rs 1,000).

To avoid delays, ensure your bank account is pre-validated and the details match your PAN. Correct any errors in the IFSC code or ensure the account isn't closed, as these could lead to processing failures.