How to check TDS refund status — Form 26AS / Income Tax (2026)

1. Login at incometax.gov.in.
2. Click e-File → View Form 26AS — opens TRACES portal in new tab.
3. Form 26AS shows TDS by quarter, by deductor (employer, bank, tenant, contract awarder).
4. Compare with your records — Form 16 from employer, TDS certificate from bank, etc.
5. For broader view: AIS — shows TDS + AIS reportable transactions (high-value, foreign, etc.).
6. If TDS missing: contact deductor (employer/bank) for revised TDS return Form 24Q/26Q.

What we hear from RTI Wiki users: Anita, a 33-year-old freelance designer, found her bank had deducted TDS on FD interest of Rs. 12,500 but it wasn't showing in Form 26AS even after 4 months. She filed an RTI to her bank's Branch Manager + CBDT TDS division asking (a) TDS deducted vs deposited, (b) reason for non-reflection in 26AS, © revised TDS return status. Bank found their TAN had a typo on the original return. Filed corrected; TDS reflected within 60 days; she included it in her IT return for full refund.

• Deductor (employer/bank) didn't file TDS return — quarter-end Form 24Q/26Q late. Fix: chase deductor; RTI to deductor's assessing officer.
• TAN typo in TDS return — credit can't map to your PAN. Fix: deductor files revised return.
• Wrong PAN mentioned by deductor — credit goes to someone else. Fix: deductor revises.
• Section mismatch — TDS reported under wrong section (e.g., 194A vs 194I). Fix: deductor revises.
• Threshold not met — small TDS (< Rs. 5,000 in some categories) may not be deposited if threshold not crossed. Verify.
• Lower deduction certificate issued by AO — TDS less than expected. Verify your application history.
• Year-of-credit issue — TDS shown in wrong AY. Match your accounting year.

• AIS (Annual Information Statement) is broader than 26AS — also shows high-value transactions (FD, mutual fund, real estate, foreign remittance) reported by third parties. Pre-filling your ITR uses AIS.
• Form 16/16A from deductor must match 26AS — discrepancy is auditable. Always reconcile before filing ITR.
• Form 26AS is updated 30-60 days after quarter-end TDS return. Q4 TDS appears typically in Jun-Jul.
• TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) — simplified version of AIS. Easier reconciliation.
• TDS not deposited (deductor pocketed) — file complaint at TDS-CPC + RTI; deductor faces 3% penalty + prosecution.

TRACES (TDS): 1800-103-0344 · CPC: 1800-103-4455 · efilingwebmanager@incometax.gov.in · Twitter: @IncomeTaxIndia

The official SLA on this service is published. If your status is stuck beyond it, you have a statutory right under §6 RTI Act 2005 to demand information from the public authority. Reply mandatory in 30 days.

File an RTI to: CBDT TDS Cell + Deductor's Assessing Officer

Ask these 5 questions:

1. TDS deducted vs deposited reconciliation
2. revised TDS return status
3. officer-in-charge
4. deductor compliance history

→ Use our free AI RTI Drafter to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.

→ Or speak it in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via AwaazRTI.

→ For deeper case-law on this scenario: Full RTI playbook — all 100+ scenarios.

• Q: What if TDS shown in Form 16 but not in 26AS? — Deductor (employer) didn't file the quarterly TDS return. Chase HR; if no action, RTI to deductor's AO.
• Q: How long to wait for TDS to reflect? — 60 days from quarter-end TDS return filing.
• Q: What's the difference between 26AS and AIS? — 26AS = TDS history. AIS = 26AS + all reportable financial transactions (FD, MF, real estate, foreign remittance).
• Q: Can I claim TDS missing from 26AS in my return? — Risky — IT department disallows; revised return needed once 26AS is updated. Best to wait.
• Q: Deductor refuses to file TDS return — what to do? — File complaint at TDS-CPC (1800-103-0344) + RTI to deductor's AO + Income Tax penalty proceedings.

To check status: use the official portal listed above with your reference number. SLA is published; if stuck beyond it, file a free RTI.

• If status is normal → wait the published SLA, then download/use your document
• If status is delayed → click 🪄 AI RTI Drafter now; complete §6 application in 60 seconds
• If status is rejected → demand reasons under §4(1)(d) RTI Act; appeal/represent
• For state-specific guidance → see state-by-state guide

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score your draft's win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📬 PIO Reply Checker — analyse evasive replies
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window
• 💰 Fee Calculator — state-wise fees
• 🔍 RTI Research — AI Q&A from this site

• Master guide: Full RTI playbook — all 100+ scenarios
• State-by-state: Pick your state
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• The RTI Act 2005: Complete guide
• All status-check guides: All 25 status-check pages

• RTI Act 2005 §§6, 7, 19
• Official portal (linked in Quick Facts)
• Statute referenced in Quick Facts

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.