EaseValueFiled your income tax return and waiting for the refund? Enter your PAN, the assessment year and the date you filed. We work out your e-verification deadline and the last date by which the department must process the return, then explain the status you see — from Submitted and pending for e-verification to Refund failed, Processed with demand or Defective return — with the exact next step. If your refund is stuck or a demand looks wrong, our CA team can help on WhatsApp.
How to track it
- Enter your PAN (we only check its format — it is never sent anywhere), the assessment year and the date you filed the return.
- E-verification deadline: a return must be e-verified within 30 days of filing; otherwise the date of verification is treated as the date of filing, and late-filing consequences can apply.
- Processing deadline: the department can send an intimation under section 143(1) up to 9 months from the end of the financial year in which the return was filed.
- Check the live status on incometax.gov.in: Income Tax Return (ITR) Status (before login, with acknowledgement number and mobile OTP), or log in and open e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
- For refund payment details you can also use the refund status page of Protean (NSDL) with your PAN and assessment year.
- Pick the status the portal shows and the tool explains what to do.
Why refunds get stuck
The most common reason is a bank account that is not pre-validated on the e-filing portal, or one where the name does not match the PAN — the status then shows Refund failed. Pre-validate the account (Profile → My Bank Account) and then raise a refund re-issue request under Services → Refund Reissue.
Other reasons: the return was not e-verified, it was processed with a demand because TDS or advance tax did not match Form 26AS/AIS, an outstanding demand from an earlier year was adjusted against the refund (you get a notice under section 245 first), or the return was marked defective under section 139(9) and needs a response within 15 days.
Where a refund is delayed you are usually entitled to interest under section 244A at 0.5% per month. If the intimation shows a demand you do not agree with, respond on the portal or file a rectification under section 154 — our team can check the computation and do this for you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an income tax refund take?
Once the return is e-verified, most refunds are processed within a few weeks, but the department legally has up to 9 months from the end of the financial year in which you filed. The tool shows both dates for your case.
What does Refund failed mean?
The refund could not be credited, usually because the bank account was not pre-validated, was closed, or the name did not match. Pre-validate the account on the e-filing portal and raise a refund re-issue request.
What if I forgot to e-verify my ITR?
E-verify as soon as possible. A return verified after 30 days is treated as filed on the date of verification, so a late fee and loss of some benefits can apply. If it is far beyond, condonation of delay may be needed.
What is a defective return under section 139(9)?
The department found an inconsistency — for example income or TDS without the right schedule. You must respond within 15 days of the notice, usually by filing a corrected return, otherwise the return is treated as invalid.
Does EaseValue see my PAN?
No. The PAN is checked for format in your browser only. The live status is shown only on the official Income Tax portal; EaseValue is not affiliated with the Income Tax Department.
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