What you need before you start
- Your e-filing user ID, which is your PAN, and your password.
- A filed and e-verified income tax return that claims a refund.
- A PAN that is linked to Aadhaar. An unlinked PAN is inoperative, and refunds are not issued against it.
Steps to check refund status
- Go to the e-filing portal at www.incometax.gov.in and log in.
- If a message says your PAN is inoperative because it is not linked to Aadhaar, you can click Link Now, or click Continue to go on.
- From the menu choose e-File, then Income Tax Returns, then View Filed Returns.
- Find the assessment year you want and click View Details.
- Read the status. The same screen shows the life cycle of the return, from filing to processing.
Refund messages can be fake
The department pays refunds straight into your pre-validated bank account. It does not ask you to click a link, share a one-time password or enter card details to receive one. Check your status only by logging in to the official portal yourself.
What each refund status means
| Status shown | What it means |
|---|---|
| Refund issued | The refund has been sent to your bank account. |
| Refund partially adjusted | Part of the refund was set off, typically against tax you owe for another year, and the rest was paid. |
| Refund fully adjusted | The whole refund was set off against an outstanding amount, so nothing was paid out. |
| Refund failed | The department tried to pay but the money could not be credited to your account. |
Why a refund fails
The department's manual gives five reasons.
- PAN not linked to Aadhaar. The refund fails and the portal asks you to link the two. Our guide to checking PAN-Aadhaar link status covers this.
- Bank account not pre-validated. Pre-validating the account on the e-filing portal is mandatory before a refund can be paid into it.
- Name mismatch. The name on the bank account does not match the name on the PAN.
- Invalid IFSC. The branch code given for the account is wrong.
- Closed account. The account named in the return no longer exists.
Fix the cause first: link the PAN, pre-validate a working account in your own name, or correct the details. Then check the portal, or contact the department's helpdesk, about having the refund sent again.
How long a refund takes
Refunds usually reach the taxpayer four to five weeks after the return is e-verified. E-verification is the step that starts the clock, so a return that has been filed but not verified will not be processed.
If the refund has not arrived in that time, check the portal for any intimation about a discrepancy in your return, and check your email for notices from the Income Tax Department.
About these steps
The steps follow the official guidance listed under Sources, which we read on 11 October 2026. Government and bank websites change their menus from time to time. If a button or menu has a different name when you try, look for the nearest match and check the official page.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check my income tax refund status?
Log in to the e-filing portal, go to e-File, Income Tax Returns, View Filed Returns, and click View Details for the assessment year.
How long does an income tax refund take?
Usually four to five weeks after you e-verify the return, according to the Income Tax Department.
Why did my income tax refund fail?
The reasons the department lists are a PAN not linked to Aadhaar, a bank account that is not pre-validated, a name mismatch between the account and the PAN, an invalid IFSC, and a closed account.
What does "refund adjusted" mean?
The refund, or part of it, was set off instead of being paid to you. The portal shows the details for your case.
Do I need to link PAN and Aadhaar to get a refund?
Yes. Refunds are not issued while a PAN is inoperative, and a PAN that is not linked to Aadhaar is inoperative.
Sources
- Refund status user manual, Income Tax Department, e-Filing portal. incometax.gov.in. Accessed 11 October 2026. Steps, the statuses shown, reasons a refund fails and the usual processing time.
- Link Aadhaar: frequently asked questions, Income Tax Department, e-Filing portal. incometax.gov.in. Accessed 11 October 2026. Refunds are not issued against an inoperative PAN.
