Income Tax Refund;

Step-by-Step Guide to Checking Status
Online

When an individual has paid more taxes than their actual
liability in a given fiscal year, they are entitled to a tax refund. To claim a
refund, it is necessary to request it in your income tax return (ITR) for that
specific year.

For the fiscal year 2022-2023, the season for filing ITRs is
currently underway, offering both online and offline options. Taxpayers have
until July 31st to submit their ITRs, but filing it sooner increases the
chances of receiving the tax refund faster.

Once you have filed and verified your income tax return on
time, the average waiting period for an income tax refund is typically between
20 to 45 days after the ITR has been processed. However, according to recent
statements by CBDT Chairman Nitin Gupta, the income tax department has
significantly reduced the average turnaround time for granting refunds. In the
fiscal year 2022-2023, approximately 80% of refunds were issued within the
first 30 days after the return filing.

1. To check the status of your income tax refund online, follow
   these step-by-step guidelines:
2. Visit the official website of the Income Tax Department of
   India (www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in).
3. Log in to your account using your registered user ID (PAN)
   and password.
4. Once logged in, navigate to the ‘Dashboard’ or ‘My Account’
   section.
5. Look for the option ‘View Return/Forms’ and click on it.
6. Select the relevant assessment year for which you have filed
   the ITR.
7. Under the ‘ITR-V/Receipt Status’ tab, you will find the
   status of your income tax return.
8. If your return has been processed, the refund status will be
   displayed. It will indicate whether the refund has been initiated, processed,
   or if any issues or discrepancies have been identified.
9. If the refund has been initiated and processed, you can
   further check the mode of refund (direct bank transfer, cheque, etc.) and the
   refund amount.

In case there are any issues or discrepancies, you can
follow the provided instructions or contact the Income Tax Department helpline
for assistance.

It is important to note that the online status may not be
immediately updated, so it is advisable to check periodically for any changes
or updates regarding your income tax refund.

By following these steps, you can easily check the status of
your income tax refund online and stay informed about the progress of your
refund request.