A Complete Guide to Your Income Tax Refund (ITR) Status Check for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)

Filed your income tax return and now eagerly waiting for your refund? You’re not alone. After fulfilling your tax duties, the next logical step is to keep an eye on your expected refund. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough of the income tax refund status check process for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, which corresponds to the Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26. We’ll explore the official methods to track your money, understand what different statuses mean, and know what to do if there’s a delay, ensuring you are always in control of your finances.

First, What is the Income Tax Refund Process in India?

Before diving into how to check your refund status, it’s helpful to understand the journey your tax return takes. An income tax refund situation arises when the amount of tax you’ve paid is more than your actual tax liability for the financial year. This excess payment can be due to higher Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), Tax Collected at Source (TCS), or Advance Tax payments. The income tax refund process India is a systematic procedure handled by the Income Tax Department to return this excess amount to you.

The entire process unfolds in a few key stages:

Filing the ITR: The first step is to file your Income Tax Return (ITR) before the due date. You declare your income, claim deductions, and calculate your final tax liability.
e-Verifying the Return: This is a critical step. Your ITR is considered invalid until it is verified. The processing of your return and the refund timeline only begins after you have successfully e-verified it, which can be done through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or other available methods.
Processing by the Income Tax Department: Once verified, your return is sent to the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) for processing. The department’s systems check the information you provided against the data they have (like Form 26AS and AIS).
Refund Issued: If the department confirms that a refund is due, it is calculated and approved. The amount is then dispatched to the bank account that you have pre-validated on the e-filing portal.

How to Check ITR Refund Status Online: Two Simple Methods

The government has made it incredibly easy to track your refund online. You don’t have to wait for a letter in the mail anymore. Here are the two most reliable methods to perform an online income tax refund status check.

Method 1: The Official Income Tax e-Filing Portal

This is the most detailed and authoritative source for checking your refund status. It provides a comprehensive view of your ITR journey, from filing to the final refund credit.

Step 1: Log in to the e-Filing Portal
First, visit the official government website: Official Income Tax e-Filing Portal. You will need your User ID (which is your PAN) and your password to log in to your account.

Step 2: Navigate to ‘View Filed Returns’
Once you are logged into your dashboard, find the main menu at the top. Follow this path: click on e-File, then select Income Tax Returns from the dropdown menu, and finally, click on View Filed Returns.

Step 3: Select the Correct Assessment Year
On this page, you will see a list of all the returns you have filed. To check the status for the income you earned between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025 (FY 2024-25), you need to select Assessment Year 2025-26.

Quick Tip: The Financial Year (FY) is the year you earn the income. The Assessment Year (AY) is the immediately following year when that income is assessed and taxed. So, for income earned in FY 2024-25, the AY 2025-26 ITR status check is what you need to perform.

Step 4: Check Your Status
After selecting the correct Assessment Year, the system will display the details of your filed return. You will find a clear status message, such as “ITR filed and verified,” “Under Processing,” or “Processed with refund due.” This section gives you a real-time update directly from the Income Tax Department’s records.

Method 2: Check ITR Status by PAN on the NSDL (Protean) Website

If you’re looking for a quick update without the hassle of logging in, the NSDL (now known as Protean eGov Technologies Ltd.) website is an excellent alternative. It’s a straightforward tool for an ITR status check India.

Step 1: Visit the NSDL (now Protean) Website
Go directly to the refund tracking page on the TIN NSDL portal: TIN NSDL (Protean) Refund Status Page. This page is specifically designed for taxpayers to check their refund status.

Step 2: Enter Your PAN and Assessment Year
The page has a simple form. You only need to enter two pieces of information:

Your Permanent Account Number (PAN).
The Assessment Year (AY), which for this period is 2025-26.

After entering the details and the captcha code, click “Proceed.”

Step 3: View the Refund Status
The website will display the status of your refund. The messages here are more focused on the payment itself. For instance, you might see statuses like “No record found” (if your return hasn’t been processed for a refund yet), “Refund is under process,” or “Refund paid” along with the date and mode of payment. This is a very efficient way to check ITR status by PAN India.

Understanding Common ITR Refund Statuses

When you check your status, you’ll encounter various terms. Understanding what they mean is key to knowing where your refund is in the process.

ITR Filed and Verified: This confirms that your return has been successfully submitted and you have completed the e-verification. The clock has officially started on your refund processing.
Under Processing: The Income Tax Department has picked up your return and is actively reviewing it. Their systems are verifying the details you submitted against their own records.
Processed with Refund Due: This is great news! Your return has been successfully processed, and the department has confirmed that you are eligible for a refund. The amount of the refund is also determined at this stage.
Refund Issued: The department has sent the money. You will typically see a payment reference number and the date the refund was sent. It should reflect in your bank account within a few business days.
Refund Failed: This means the department tried to send the money, but the transaction was unsuccessful. This is almost always due to incorrect bank account details or because the bank account linked to your PAN was not pre-validated on the e-filing portal.

What to Do if Your ITR Refund for FY 2024-25 is Delayed or Has Failed?

Patience is a virtue, but sometimes a delay can be a sign of an underlying issue. If you feel your refund is taking too long, here’s a checklist of actions you can take.

Step 1: Ensure Your ITR is e-Verified

This is the most common reason for delays. Many taxpayers file their return but forget to verify it. The income tax return refund timeline India only begins after successful e-verification. You have 30 days from the date of filing to verify your return. If you haven’t, log in to the portal immediately and complete the verification process.

Step 2: Check Your Registered Email for an Intimation u/s 143(1)

After your return is processed, the Income Tax Department sends an intimation notice under section 143(1) to your registered email address. This document is a summary of their assessment. It will clearly state if a refund has been determined, if there is a tax demand, or if your calculation matches theirs perfectly. If there’s a discrepancy or a tax demand, your refund will be adjusted or held back, causing a delay.

Step 3: Verify Your Bank Account is Pre-Validated

This is non-negotiable. The Income Tax Department will only credit refunds to a bank account that is pre-validated and linked with your PAN. To check this:

Log in to the e-filing portal.
Go to your Profile and select ‘My Bank Accounts’.
Check the status next to your preferred bank account. It should say ‘Validated’.

If it’s not validated or you’ve added a new account, complete the validation process immediately. If your refund has already failed, you’ll need to fix this and then raise a “Refund Re-issue” request on the portal.

Step 4: Raise a Service Request on the Portal

If you’ve checked all the above points, your return is processed, a refund is due, your bank account is validated, and it has been an unusually long time, you can raise a grievance. On the e-filing portal, you can navigate to the ‘Grievances’ section and submit a service request regarding your ITR refund status FY 2024-25. Provide all the necessary details, and the department will look into your specific case.

Conclusion

Tracking your money is a crucial part of managing your finances, and the income tax refund status check is no exception. By using either the official Income Tax e-Filing Portal or the NSDL (Protean) website, you can stay informed about every stage of your refund process. Remember, the two most important actions you can take to ensure a speedy refund are to e-verify your return promptly and to ensure your primary bank account is pre-validated.

Navigating tax compliance can be complex. If you need assistance with ITR filing, refund tracking, or responding to tax notices, TaxRobo’s experts are here to help. Contact us for seamless financial and legal services tailored for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it usually take to get an income tax refund in India?
The processing time has become much faster in recent years. After successful e-verification, most refunds are processed and credited within 7 to 45 days. However, the official timeline can extend up to a few months, depending on the complexity of the return and the department’s workload.
Can I perform an ITR status check India without logging into the portal?
Yes, absolutely. You can use the NSDL (now Protean) website for a quick status update. You just need to enter your PAN and the relevant Assessment Year (e.g., 2025-26) to see the payment status of your refund.
Is the process for income tax refund tracking for salaried individuals different from that for business owners?
No, the process is identical for all taxpayers. Whether you are a salaried individual, a freelancer, or a small business owner, the methods described in this guide—using the e-filing portal or the NSDL website—apply universally for checking your refund status.
What should I do if my refund status is ‘Refund Failed’?
A ‘Refund Failed’ status usually points to a bank account issue. The first thing you should do is log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal. Go to ‘My Bank Accounts’ under your profile and ensure the account you want the refund in is ‘Validated’ and linked to your PAN. Once you correct the details or validate the account, you can submit a ‘Refund Re-issue Request’ through the portal.
What is the due date for filing ITR for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)?
For most individual taxpayers (salaried, freelancers, etc.) and businesses whose accounts do not require an audit, the due date for filing ITR is July 31, 2025. For taxpayers who are required to get their accounts audited (like certain businesses and professionals), the due date is October 31, 2025.

Income Tax Refund Status Check: FY 2024-25? Find Out!