People are excitedly awaiting their tax refunds after the ITR filing deadline on July 31st. In this digital age, the Income Tax Department has made it easier for taxpayers to track the status of their tax refunds online. This straightforward approach involves only a few basic steps and your Permanent Account Number (PAN).

Understanding the Process

The income tax refund procedure can be tracked online using two main platforms: the NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) website and the official Income Tax Department portal.

Each site requires your Permanent Account Number (PAN) and the assessment year for which you are looking up the refund status.

“For the refund to be credited directly to your bank account, it is essential to provide your bank account number, MICR code/IFSC code, and correct communication address. Taxpayers can check the status of their refund 10 days after the tax assessing officer sends it to the refund banker. You can use your PAN card details and assessment year to track the status of your ITR refund. However, you need to make sure that your PAN card details are correct, linked to your Aadhaar, and consistent with your bank account information for the successful processing of your refund,” said Adhil Shetty, CEO of Bankbazaar.com.

How to check the refund status on the income tax e-filing portal?

1. Visit the official income tax e-filing website.

2. Log in with your PAN information.

3. Once logged in, navigate to and click on the 'My Account' option.

4. Click the "Refund/Demand Status" button.

5. You will view the status of your income tax refund, including information such as the assessment year, current status, reasons for refund failures, and method of payment. 

How to check refund status on the NSDL website?

1. Browse the NSDL TIN webpage.

2. Log in with your PAN information.

3. Select the assessment year for which you want to examine the refund status from the dropdown menu.

4. Enter the captcha code that appears on the screen.

5. After completing the captcha, click the 'Submit' button.

6. A notice will show on your screen, reflecting the status of your ITR refund.

7. To view the status of your refund, click 'Proceed'.