ITR filing FY 2025-26: Filed your income tax return within the July 31, 2026 deadline? Are you eligible for an income tax refund? If you are wondering when your tax refund will be credited in your bank account and how to track its status – we have you covered.A refund arises when the income tax that you have paid exceeds your final tax liability. This can be due to excess TDS, TCS, advance tax, self-assessment tax, deductions, exemptions, or treaty-based relief claimed in the return.According to Sundeep Agarwal, Partner at Vialto Partners before tracking your tax refund, it’s important to ensure that your ITR is verified, PAN is linked with Aadhaar, the bank account is pre-validated on the portal, and there are no mismatches in Form 26AS, AIS or TIS.For refund claims involving treaty relief or foreign tax credit, check whether Form 10F or Form 67, as applicable, has been filed.“A delayed refund does not always mean something is wrong. Often, the return may still be under processing, awaiting e-verification, or linked to a bank account that has not been validated,” he says.
How to track ITR refund
Below is a step-by-step guide to tracking your tax refund on the Income Tax return filing portal
- Log in to the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing portal (incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/)
- Go to e-File – Income Tax Returns – View Filed Returns.
- Select the relevant Assessment Year and click “View Details” to check the return and refund status.
Alternatively, you can also use Services – Know Your Refund Status.According to Sundeep Agarwal, the tax-filing portal will show whether the refund is under processing, issued, or adjusted against an outstanding tax demand.“Refunds are generally credited within four to five weeks, although timelines may vary depending on the return and verification requirements. Smaller refunds may move faster, while higher claims can take longer. Interest may apply if the refund is delayed, subject to law,” Sundeep Agarwal tells TOI.A quick portal check and review of any communication from the Income Tax Department can bring taxpayers closer to the message they are waiting for: ‘Your refund has been credited’.
