Where is my income tax refund?
Log in free to the income tax e-filing website with your own PAN and see whether your refund was sent, adjusted or failed, and what to do if it failed.
Free on the official page. Your own numbers only. We have no automated link to any government portal, use no private data services, and never store the result.
What you need
- Your own PAN (Permanent Account Number, the 10-character tax number, like ABCDE1234F). It is your user ID on the e-filing website.
- Your own e-filing password. If you forgot it, you can reset it with an OTP (a one-time code sent by SMS) on your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- An income tax return, ITR (the yearly tax form), that you filed and e-verified, with a refund claimed in it.
What to do on the official page
- Open the official income tax e-filing website: incometax.gov.in. It is free. Do not open links in SMS or emails that say 'your refund is approved, click here'.
- Click 'Login'. Type your PAN as the user ID and click 'Continue'. Confirm your secure access message, type your password and click 'Continue'.
- If a box says your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, read it. A PAN not linked with Aadhaar gets no refund. Click 'Link Now' to link it, or continue to see the status first.
- From the top menu, go to 'e-File' > 'Income Tax Returns' > 'View Filed Returns'.
- Find the return for the right assessment year (the year after your income year: income from April 2025 to March 2026 is 'AY 2026-27'). Click 'View Details'.
- Read the steps of your return and the refund line at the end. Match the words with the results below. Take a screenshot if you want to keep it.
What the result means
The portal shows: 'Submitted and pending for e-Verification / Verification'
It means: You filed the return but did not confirm it yet. The tax office does not start your refund until you e-verify (confirm the return online).
What to do next: On the same page, click 'e-Verify' and use the OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile. Do it within 30 days of filing.
The portal shows: 'Successfully e-Verified / Verified', with no refund line yet.
It means: Your return is confirmed and waiting to be processed. This is normal.
What to do next: Wait. The refund usually comes 4 to 5 weeks after e-verification. Check again then.
The portal shows: Refund 'Issued', with a date and amount.
It means: The tax office has sent the money to the bank account you chose for refunds.
What to do next: Check your bank passbook or SMS for that date. If the money is not there after a few days, ask your bank with the date and amount.
The portal shows: 'Partially adjusted' or 'Full refund adjusted'.
It means: Part or all of your refund was used to pay an old tax amount the tax office says you still owe (an 'outstanding demand').
What to do next: Read the letter (intimation) under 'Pending Actions' > 'e-Proceedings'. If you do not agree, reply under 'Pending Actions' > 'Response to Outstanding Demand'. Replying is free.
The portal shows: Refund 'Failed', with a reason such as PAN not linked with Aadhaar (PAN 'inoperative').
It means: Your PAN is switched off because it is not linked with Aadhaar, so the refund cannot be paid.
What to do next: Link PAN and Aadhaar first ('Quick Links' > 'Link Aadhaar/View Status'; a ₹1,000 late fee applies). When the PAN works again, raise a 'Refund Reissue' request (see the next result). New PAN card →
The portal shows: Refund 'Failed' because of the bank account: not pre-validated, name not matching PAN, wrong IFSC (the bank branch code), or account closed.
It means: The bank could not accept the money. Refunds go only to a bank account that is checked ('pre-validated') on the e-filing website and in your name.
What to do next: Go to 'My Profile' > 'My Bank Account' > 'Add Bank Account' and add a working account in your name. When it shows 'Validated', switch on 'Nominate for Refund'. Then go to 'Services' > 'Refund Reissue' > '+Create Refund Reissue Request', choose that account, and confirm with the OTP on your own phone.
The portal shows: Your bank account says 'Validation Failed' under 'My Bank Account'.
It means: The bank did not confirm the account. Common reasons: the name or PAN at the bank is different, the account number or IFSC is wrong, or the account is closed, frozen or not allowed.
What to do next: Ask your bank to add your PAN and correct your name. Then open the 'Failed Bank Accounts' tab on the same page and click 'Re-Validate'. Or add a different account in your own name.
Frequently asked questions
Is checking my refund status free?
Yes. Logging in, checking the status, adding a bank account and asking for a refund reissue are all free on the income tax website.
How long does a refund take?
Usually 4 to 5 weeks after you e-verify the return. Nothing starts before you e-verify.
I got an SMS saying my refund is approved and I must click a link. Is it real?
Treat it as a fraud. Do not click it and never share your password, OTP or bank PIN. Check only by logging in yourself on incometax.gov.in. If you lost money, call the cyber crime helpline 1930.
Can I check someone else's refund?
No. Check only your own refund with your own PAN and password, or help a family member who is with you and logs in themselves. FormSathi never looks up another person's PAN.
My refund is from an old year, before April 2023. Where do I see it?
Refunds paid on or before 31 March 2023 are shown on the Protean (formerly NSDL) refund status page: choose 'Taxpayer Refund', then type your PAN and the assessment year. Refunds paid after that are shown on incometax.gov.in.
Where do I call if I am stuck?
Call the free e-filing helpline 1800 103 0025 or 1800 419 0025, 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday. They will never ask for your password or OTP.
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- See if your income tax payment reached the government
- Is my bank account ready for an income tax refund?
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Business
Sources (date read)
- Refund Status user manual: needs a valid user ID and password (income tax e-filing) · 2026-11-01
- Refund Reissue user manual (income tax e-filing) · 2026-10-19
- My Bank Account user manual: add, validate and nominate an account for refund · 2026-10-27
- Know your ITR Status user manual (income tax e-filing) · 2026-10-19
- Respond to Outstanding Demand user manual (when a refund is adjusted) · 2026-10-19
- How to log in to the e-filing portal: PAN as user ID, secure access message, password (user manual) · 2026-10-27
- Income tax e-filing home page: 'Quick Links' read live ('Link Aadhaar/View Status'; no refund status link) · 2026-10-30
- Know your ITR Status FAQs: 'Submitted and pending for e-Verification / Verification', 'Successfully e-Verified / Verified', 'Processed' · 2026-10-31
Updated: 2026-11-01