1. Log in to incometax.gov.in → e-File → View Filed Returns → select AY.
2. Refund status shows: Processed → Refund Issued → Bank Credit (with date).
3. For deeper trace: tin.tin.nsdl.com → Refund Status → enter PAN + AY → CIN/UTR for bank trace.
4. If status is “Refund Issued” but not credited — check bank account is pre-validated at incometax.gov.in (Profile → My Bank Account).
5. If “Refund Failed” — re-issue from incometax.gov.in → Services → Refund Reissue.
6. For e-verification: incometax.gov.in → e-Verify Return → Aadhaar OTP / EVC / DSC.

What we hear from RTI Wiki users: Karan, a 31-year-old salaried professional in Mumbai, e-filed his ITR in July 2024 expecting Rs. 47,000 refund. By October, status was “Processed” but no refund credited. He filed an RTI to CPC (Central Processing Centre) Bengaluru asking refund processing details + reason for non-credit. Before reply (28 days), he discovered his bank account wasn't pre-validated at the IT portal. He validated; refund credited within 9 days.

• Bank account not pre-validated — most common reason. Fix: validate at incometax.gov.in → Profile → My Bank Account.
• Aadhaar-PAN linkage missing — PAN became inoperative. Fix: link at incometax.gov.in (Rs. 1,000 fee post-deadline).
• Mismatched bank details — IFSC changed (bank merger). Fix: update at IT portal.
• Refund adjusted against past dues — old IT demand outstanding. Fix: check Outstanding Tax Demand at IT portal.
• Defective return notice — ITR found incomplete. Fix: respond to §139(9) notice within 15 days.
• Scrutiny / verification underway — random selection or AI flagging. Be patient or respond to assessment notice.
• TDS mismatch with Form 26AS — credit not given. Fix: contact deductor (employer/bank) to file revised TDS return.

• Pre-validate your bank account at incometax.gov.in BEFORE filing — prevents the most common refund delay.
• Form 26AS / AIS at incometax.gov.in shows all TDS, advance tax, and high-value transactions reported by third parties. Check before filing.
• Refund interest under §244A — 0.5% per month from 1 April of AY (if return filed on time) until refund granted. Auto-calculated; don't need to demand.
• Senior citizens (60+) with only pension/interest income can use ITR-1 Sahaj — simplest form, fastest refund.
• Defective return under §139(9) — respond within 15 days; otherwise return treated as invalid.

Income Tax: 1800-103-0025 / 1800-103-4455 (toll-free) · 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: Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) Bengaluru + Assessing Officer (AO)

Ask these 5 questions:

1. refund processing date
2. current status
3. reason for delay/non-credit
4. bank account validation status
5. adjustment against any past dues

→ 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: How long does ITR refund take? — Typically 7-21 days for simple returns (ITR-1/2). Can extend to 90+ days if scrutiny applies.
• Q: What if my refund is below expectation? — Check Form 26AS for TDS credits. If TDS wasn't reported, contact deductor for revised TDS return.
• Q: Can I track refund without login? — Yes — at tin.tin.nsdl.com → Refund Status → enter PAN + AY.
• Q: My PAN became inoperative — what now? — Pay Rs. 1,000 fee (post-deadline) at incometax.gov.in → e-Pay Tax → Aadhaar Linkage. Activates within 24 hours.
• Q: Refund credited to wrong account? — Use Refund Reissue at IT portal with corrected bank details. Old refund needs to be reversed first by bank.

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.