Where to check your refund status online

The Income Tax Department of India runs a single official portal where you can see exactly where your refund is in the process. Go to incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in, log in with your PAN (Permanent Account Number) and password, and navigate to the "Refund Status" section under "My Account". This tells you whether your refund has been processed, sanctioned, or sent to your bank.

The portal shows you the refund amount, the date it was sanctioned, and the date it was credited to your account if it has already arrived. If your refund is still being processed, you will see the current stage — for example, "Under Processing" or "Sanctioned". This is the most direct way to get current information because it pulls from the department's live records.

You do not need to contact anyone or provide extra documents to check this status. The information updates as your refund moves through the system, though the updates may lag by a few days behind the actual processing.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in with your PAN and password to see your refund status in real time.
  • The portal shows whether your refund is under processing, sanctioned, or already credited to your bank account.
  • Refunds typically take 30 to 90 days from the date you filed your return, depending on whether the department needs to verify your information.
  • If your refund does not arrive within 90 days, contact your local Income Tax office or file a complaint through the department's grievance portal.
  • The refund is sent directly to the bank account you provided in your return, so confirm that account details are correct before filing.

What the different refund statuses mean

The portal uses specific labels to describe where your refund is. "Under Processing" means the department is still reviewing your return and has not yet decided on the refund amount. "Sanctioned" means the department has approved the refund and sent it to the bank for transfer. "Credited" means the money has reached your bank account.

Some returns also show "Pending Verification" or "Under Scrutiny". This happens when the department has questions about your income, deductions, or other details in your return. If you see this status, you may receive a notice asking you to provide documents or clarification. Responding promptly to any notice speeds up the process.

If the portal shows no refund status at all, your return may still be in the initial queue waiting to be processed. Returns filed late in the financial year can take longer because the department processes them in batches.

How long refunds typically take

A straightforward refund — one where the department does not need to ask questions — usually takes 30 to 45 days from the date you filed your return. This timeline assumes you filed electronically and provided a valid bank account number in your return. The clock starts from the date the department receives your return, not the date you submitted it online.

If the department needs to verify information in your return, the timeline extends to 60 to 90 days. This verification might involve checking your income against employer records, bank statements, or investment documents. You will see this reflected in your refund status as "Under Verification" or a similar label.

In rare cases where the department initiates a formal scrutiny or audit of your return, the refund is held until that process is complete. This can take several months. You will receive an official notice if this happens — the portal status alone will not tell you this.

What to do if your refund is delayed beyond 90 days

If 90 days have passed since you filed your return and the portal still shows "Under Processing" or no status at all, file a formal complaint. The Income Tax Department runs a Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) that handles refund delays. You can lodge a complaint through the department's official grievance portal at incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in under "Grievance Redressal".

When you file a complaint, have your return filing date, refund amount, and PAN ready. The department typically responds within 15 to 30 days. If the delay is due to a processing error on their end, they will issue the refund when ready. If the delay is because your return is under verification, they will tell you what documents they need from you.

You can also contact your local Income Tax office directly. Find the office that covers your residential area on the department's website and ask to speak with the refund section. Bring your PAN, a copy of your filed return, and proof of the filing date. The office staff can check the status in their system and tell you the exact reason for any delay.

Confirming your bank account details are correct

Refunds are sent only to the bank account you listed in your return. If you provided an incorrect account number, the refund will be rejected by the bank and returned to the Income Tax Department. This can add 30 to 60 days to the process because the department then has to contact you and ask for the correct account details.

Before you file your return, log into your bank's portal and copy your account number and IFSC code exactly as they appear in your bank records. Type these into your return form carefully — a single digit wrong will cause the refund to bounce. If you are unsure of your IFSC code, your bank statement or passbook will have it, or you can search the RBI's IFSC database at rbi.org.in.

If you realize after filing that you provided the wrong account number, contact your Income Tax office when ready with the correct details. Some offices can update this before the refund is processed. If the refund has already been rejected by the bank, the office will reissue it to the correct account once you provide proof of the account ownership.

Refunds for returns filed through a tax professional

If you filed your return through a Chartered Accountant (CA) or tax consultant, the refund status process is the same — you still check it on incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in using your PAN. However, your CA may also have access to your return through their own portal and can check the status on your behalf.

Some CAs monitor their clients' refunds automatically and notify them when the status changes. If your CA is handling this, ask them to confirm the bank account details they used in your return. If there is a delay or issue, your CA can contact the Income Tax office directly because they have a professional relationship with the department.

What happens if your refund is rejected or returned

A refund can be returned to the Income Tax Department if the bank rejects it — usually because the account number is wrong, the account has been closed, or the account holder's name does not match the return. When this happens, the refund status on the portal will show "Returned" or "Rejected".

If you see this status, contact your bank first to confirm whether the account is active and the details are correct. Then contact your local Income Tax office with the correct account information. The office will reissue the refund to the correct account. This reissue typically takes another 30 to 45 days.

To avoid this situation, update your bank account details with the Income Tax Department before filing your next return. You can do this by logging into your e-filing account and updating your profile under "My Account".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status without logging into the e-filing portal?

The e-filing portal is the official source for refund status, and you need to log in with your PAN and password to access it. There is no SMS or phone-based status check service run by the Income Tax Department. If someone offers to check your status for a fee, they are not providing an official service.

Why does the portal show no refund status even though I filed my return months ago?

This usually means your return is still in the initial processing queue or the department is verifying information before calculating the refund. Returns filed late in the financial year can take longer. If more than 90 days have passed, file a complaint through the grievance portal or contact your local Income Tax office.

What if I filed my return but did not receive a refund — the portal shows zero refund amount?

This means the department calculated that you do not owe a refund based on your return. This happens if your tax liability equals or exceeds the tax you already paid through salary deductions or advance payments. Review your return calculation or ask your CA to check whether all your income and deductions were entered correctly.

Can the Income Tax Department send my refund to a different account than the one I provided?

No. The refund goes only to the account number you listed in your return. If you want the refund sent to a different account, you must file an amended return with the correct account details. Contact your local Income Tax office to understand whether an amended return is necessary or whether you can straightforward provide the correct account for a reissue.

How do I know if my refund was actually credited to my bank account?

Check your bank statement or your bank's mobile app. Search for a deposit from "Income Tax Department" or "CPC" (Centralized Processing Centre) on the date shown in the refund status portal. If the portal shows "Credited" but you do not see the deposit in your bank account after five business days, contact your bank to confirm the transfer was received.