To do an income tax refund status check for AY 2026-27, log in to the e-filing portal at incometax.gov.in and open e-File, then Income Tax Returns, then View Filed Returns. You can also use the portal’s “Know Your Refund Status” page with your PAN, assessment year and an OTP sent to your mobile number.
AY 2026-27 covers income earned in FY 2025-26, that is, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The due date for most salaried and non-audit individuals was 31 July 2026. If you filed and e-verified your return, the refund should already be moving through the system. This article explains where to look, what each status means and what to do when the money does not arrive.
- How to check income tax refund status on the e-filing portal
- How to check refund status without logging in
- Can you still use the NSDL or Protean TIN site?
- What each refund status means
- How long does an income tax refund take?
- Common reasons for refund delay or failure
- How to raise a refund reissue request
- Interest on delayed refund under Section 244A
- Frequently asked questions
How to check income tax refund status on the e-filing portal
The e-filing portal is the main place to track a refund for AY 2026-27. It shows the full timeline of your return, from filing to processing to refund.
Also readForm 26AS vs AIS vs TIS: Differences, Download and Mismatch Fixes
- Go to the e-filing portal at incometax.gov.in and click Login.
- Enter your PAN (your user ID), then your password, and complete the login.
- From the top menu, select e-File, then Income Tax Returns, then View Filed Returns.
- Find the entry for AY 2026-27. The page lists returns year-wise.
- Check the status line and the timeline shown under that return. It will show whether the return is verified, processed, and whether a refund has been issued or has failed.
- Click View Details for the full life cycle, including the date of processing and the refund amount.
Once the return is processed, the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) sends an intimation under Section 143(1) to your registered email. Read it carefully. It shows the refund the department has accepted, which may differ from what you claimed.
How to check refund status without logging in
The portal also offers a quick check that does not need your password. This is useful if you have forgotten your login details or want a fast update.
- Open the e-filing portal home page and look for Know Your Refund Status under the quick links.
- Enter your PAN and select the assessment year as 2026-27.
- Enter your mobile number and request the OTP.
- Enter the OTP and submit. The current refund status appears on screen.
Can you still use the NSDL or Protean TIN site?
The old NSDL TIN refund page is now run by Protean eGov Technologies. According to the Income Tax Department’s own refund status page, the Protean TIN link applies to refunds determined on or before 31 March 2023. For those older cases, you enter your PAN and assessment year on the Protean page and click Proceed.
For refunds determined after 31 March 2023, which includes every AY 2026-27 refund, the department directs taxpayers to the e-filing portal. So for this year’s return, the e-filing portal is the reliable source. Do not rely on third-party websites that ask for your PAN and password.
| Method | What you need | Works for AY 2026-27? |
|---|---|---|
| e-filing portal, View Filed Returns | PAN and password | Yes, most detailed |
| Know Your Refund Status (pre-login) | PAN, AY, mobile OTP | Yes, summary only |
| Protean (earlier NSDL) TIN page | PAN and AY | No, only refunds determined till 31 March 2023 |
What each refund status means
The wording on the portal can be confusing. Here is what the common statuses mean in plain terms.
Return submitted and pending for e-verification
You filed the return but have not verified it. A return is not processed until it is verified. You get 30 days from filing to e-verify through Aadhaar OTP, net banking or a bank or demat account EVC.
Successfully e-verified
The return is verified and in the queue for processing. No action is needed at this stage.
Processed with refund due
CPC has processed the return and found that a refund is payable. The refund is then sent for payment, which can take a few more days.
Refund issued
The refund has been sent to the refund banker, State Bank of India, for credit to your bank account. Check your bank statement. The credit usually shows up within a few working days of this status.
Refund failed
The department tried to pay but the credit did not go through. The usual cause is a problem with the bank account. You need to fix the account and raise a refund reissue request, explained below.
Processed with no demand and no refund
The tax you paid through TDS, advance tax or self-assessment tax matches your final liability. Nothing is payable either way. If you expected a refund, compare the 143(1) intimation with your return to see which deduction or credit was not accepted.
Refund adjusted against outstanding demand
Under Section 245, the department can set off your refund against tax due from an earlier year. You are normally informed first and can respond under Pending Actions, then Response to Outstanding Demand, if you disagree with the demand.
Defective return or transferred to assessing officer
A defective return means a notice under Section 139(9) has been issued because information is missing or inconsistent. A transfer to the assessing officer means the case needs a closer look. In both cases, the refund waits until the issue is resolved.
How long does an income tax refund take?
Business Standard has reported that refunds are generally credited within about four to five weeks after e-verification. Simple returns, such as ITR-1 with only salary and bank interest, often move faster. Returns with large deduction claims, mismatches with Form 26AS or the Annual Information Statement (AIS), or older demands can take longer.
If your return has been verified for more than a month and the status has not changed, it is worth checking the reasons below before raising a grievance.
Common reasons for refund delay or failure
- Bank account not pre-validated: The refund is credited only to a pre-validated account. Check under My Profile, then My Bank Account, and confirm that the account shows as validated.
- Account closed or inactive: If you entered an old salary account that has since been closed, the credit will bounce.
- Wrong IFSC: Bank branches merge and IFSC codes change. An outdated code can cause failure.
- Name mismatch: The name on your PAN should match the name on the bank account. Small differences can cause rejection at the bank.
- PAN inoperative: If your PAN is inoperative because it was not linked with Aadhaar, refunds are withheld and no interest is paid for that period.
- Mismatch with AIS or Form 26AS: If the TDS you claimed does not appear in Form 26AS, CPC will not allow that credit and the refund shrinks or disappears.
- Return not verified: An unverified return is not processed at all.
How to raise a refund reissue request
If the status shows Refund failed, you can ask the department to send the money again. The service is available only where a refund failure has been recorded. Before you start, make sure the bank account you want to use is validated on the portal.
- Log in to the e-filing portal.
- Go to Services and click Refund Reissue.
- Click Create Refund Reissue Request.
- Select the record for AY 2026-27 that shows the refund failure and click Continue.
- Choose the bank account where you want the refund. Only validated accounts appear in this list. To use a new account, add and validate it first.
- Click Proceed to Verification and e-verify using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, a bank or demat account EVC, or a registered digital signature.
- Note the Transaction ID shown on screen. You also receive a confirmation on your registered email and mobile number.
- Track the request later under View Refund Reissue Request.
If the refund is still not received after the reissue, or if the status has not moved for a long time, you can file a grievance on the portal under Grievances, then Submit Grievance, choosing the e-filing and CPC category.
Interest on delayed refund under Section 244A
The government pays interest when it holds your money. For AY 2026-27, which covers FY 2025-26, the rules are in Section 244A of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The new Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026 for later years.
- Rate: 0.5% for every month or part of a month, which works out to 6% a year.
- Start date: If you filed by the due date under Section 139(1), interest runs from 1 April 2026, the first day of the assessment year. If you filed late, it runs from the date you filed.
- End date: The date the refund is granted.
- Part months: A part of a month is counted as a full month.
- 10% rule: No interest is paid on refunds of TDS or advance tax if the refund is less than 10% of the tax determined on processing.
- Your delay: If the delay is caused by you, for example a late reply to a notice, that period is excluded.
Example: Suppose Ravi filed his return on 25 July 2026, before the due date, and is owed a refund of Rs 40,000. Assume the 10% condition is met and the refund is granted on 10 October 2026. Interest runs from April to October, which is seven months counting October as a full month. Interest is 0.5% x 7 x Rs 40,000, which is Rs 1,400. The refund credited would be Rs 41,400.
Keep in mind that the refund itself is not taxable, but the interest is. It is taxed as income from other sources in the year you receive it, so declare it in next year’s return. Your 143(1) intimation shows the interest amount separately.
If you are planning ahead for next year, our guide on ways to maximise your tax refund covers deductions that are often missed. It also helps to read your salary slip properly so that the TDS figures match your return.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check my income tax refund status with my PAN number?
Use the Know Your Refund Status option on the e-filing portal. Enter your PAN, select AY 2026-27, enter your mobile number and confirm the OTP to see the current status.
Why is my refund status showing “refund failed”?
It usually means the bank credit did not go through, often because the account was not validated, was closed, had a wrong IFSC or a name mismatch. Fix the account and raise a refund reissue request under Services.
Can I check AY 2026-27 refund status on the NSDL website?
No. The Protean (earlier NSDL) TIN page covers refunds determined on or before 31 March 2023. For AY 2026-27, use the e-filing portal.
What does “no demand no refund” mean in ITR status?
It means the tax already paid matches your final tax liability, so nothing is payable by you or to you. Check the 143(1) intimation if you expected a refund.
Do I get interest if my income tax refund is late?
Yes, at 0.5% a month under Section 244A, from 1 April of the assessment year if you filed on time. No interest is paid if the refund is under 10% of the tax determined.
Sources: Income Tax Department, Status of Tax Refund; e-filing portal, Refund Reissue user manual; Income Tax Department, Section 244A; Business Standard, refund statuses explained.
