When will you get your refund? Here’s how to check online

ITR refund status: As the ITR filing deadline of July 31, 2024, comes to a close, taxpayers are turning their attention to refund expectations. Here’s a detailed overview of the refund process and when you can expect your money.

The Income Tax refund is the money returned by the Tax Department to individuals who overpaid taxes through methods like TDS (Tax Deducted at Source), Advance Tax, and TCS (Tax Collected at Source). With the ITR filing deadline on July 31, 2024, many taxpayers are wondering when they will receive their refunds.

When can you expect your tax refund?

Refunds are credited to pre-validated bank accounts through the ECS system, ensuring the account holder’s name matches the PAN card. The tax department begins processing refunds after e-verification of the return is complete. Typically, it takes about four to five weeks for the refund to be deposited into the taxpayer’s account, as per the tax department’s website.

How long does it take to get a tax refund?

Processing your Income Tax Return (ITR) generally takes 15 to 45 days from the date of e-verification. Using the offline verification method with the ITR-V form may extend this period. Refunds are usually credited within four to five weeks. 

If your refund hasn’t arrived within this timeframe, check for any notifications about discrepancies in your ITR, review your email for updates from the IT department, and check the refund status on the e-filing portal.

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.

• 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).

How to check income tax refund status online using PAN card

Follow these steps to check your Income Tax refund status using your PAN card:

• Visit the official income tax e-filing portal – [https://eportal.incometax.gov.in](https://eportal.incometax.gov.in).
• Log in using your PAN, password, and the captcha code.
• Navigate to the ‘My Account’ section and select ‘Refund/Demand Status.’
• View details about your refund status, including the assessment year, current status, reasons for refund failure (if any), and the mode of payment.