Many people are not aware about that their tax refund status. The Refund status can be easily ascertained online with a few simple and easy steps. The ‘Refund Banker Scheme’, which was first introduced by the Income Tax Department in Jan 2007, can be used by tax payers all over the nation to view the exact status of their refunds on line at the site. The only
requirement is PAN No to view the status.
MODES OF REFUND
Tax refunds whenever applicable is made in 2 different means to all the tax payers:
RTGS/NECS:
In order to enable direct credit of the refund amount to the bank account of the tax payer, the taxpayer’s correct bank A/c
(at least 10 digits), MICR/ IFSC code of the bank branch and required communication address is mandatory.
PAPER CHEQUE:
The standard paper cheques wherever issued require the current bank account no and the correct address of the tax payer as mandatory information.
CHECKING STATUS ONLINE
One needs to do is to enter the PAN number and the assessment year on the below mention link site to access the current position of the tax refund.
This simple task can be achieved through 2 easy steps:
Log into https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.html and enter your PAN and assessment year. Then click on Submit button.
The same can also be checked through the toll free number of SBI help desk at 18004259760 or even through email to itro@sbi.co.in or refunds@incometaxindia.gov.in or even you can call helpline centre if IT department 18001801961 or 18004252229
TYPES OF STATUS ONLINE
While checking your refund status online you are likely to see several kinds of status messages on the website. Below are some of the common types of status messages that may appear at the website. Other status messages depending on the actual state of processing and disparities noticed by the department may also appear. The assessee has the right to appeal and notify the department in case of any discrepancies noticed at the status on the website for further action.
REFUND PAID:
If the refund has already been credited to your bank account by NEFT / CHEQUE. You need to check that you have receive the refund else you need to immediately follow up in case you have not received.
NO STATUS:
In cases where the AO has npt processed your return. No status change will be displayed. Only following message will be
shown “Your assessing officer has not sent this refund to Refund Banker or If this refund has been sent by your Assessing
Officer within the last week, you may wait for a week and again check status”
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
In case the address of the assessee has changed and same has not been notified to the Income Tax Department through the online registration system, the refund cheque normally returns back and this is reflected in the status at the website. Such cases of cheques are quite common despite the fact that the refund cheques are dispatched on time by the department.
CHEQUE ENCASHED STATUS:
If the assessee has received the refund cheque and has encashed it then the status at the website will reflect the same. However in case the cheque has actually not been encashed but is being reflected s so at the website then one needs to immediately inform the department
IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE NOTED
There are a few points that one needs to understand while checking tax refund status online:
a. The Income tax Department has nominated the State bank of India (SBI) as the refund purpose and for all such transactions. SBI forwards all the refund cheques or online transfers.
b. RTGS/ NECS/ ECS transfers are possible only if the 10 digit account number has been correctly provided by the assessee along with the IFSC code of the bank or MIRC as required in online filing / offline information. Else standardcheques or demand drafts will be dispatched to the address provided.
c. The online status is updated for viewing only after a period of 10 to 15 days of the assessing officer having made the refund either online or by dispatching the cheque.
d. The refund status will be available only if the tax return has been filed correctly and on time and has been received by the department.
e. Filing Returns online through facilities of the Income tax Department is a great advantage as it helps in quick processing of refund and its less time consuming.
f. It must be noted that the online refund is faster and quicker if the return has been filed on time and preferably through online filing system.
g. In cases were returns are filed offline and refund is pending long for more than 2 years. We need to visit our AO with all the details of Return File / Taxes Paid / Copy of Form 26AS, etc. In past we have seen once we communicate to AO of non received of refund we usually get it processed within 1 or months.
