1How do I claim an income tax refund?
By filing a return showing that your TDS and advance tax exceeded your actual tax for the year. The refund is computed during processing — it isn't automatic, so you must file to claim it.
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ArticleIf too much tax was deducted or paid during the year, the excess is refundable — but only if you file a return to claim it. Here's how to claim an income tax refund.
Reviewed by CA Harika Chebolu, FCA · Last updated 2026-06-13
Quick answer
You claim a refund by filing your return when your TDS and advance tax exceed your actual tax. Here's how to claim and track it.
If your TDS, advance tax and self-assessment payments add up to more than your actual tax for the year, the excess is refundable. This commonly happens when TDS was deducted at a flat rate, you had deductions to claim, or your income was below the taxable limit.
A refund isn't automatic — you must file a return showing the overpayment, and the refund is then computed during processing. So even if your income is below the taxable limit, file a return to recover TDS that was deducted on interest, stipend or freelance income.
Refunds are credited only to a pre-validated bank account linked to your PAN. Validate the correct account on the portal before filing, so the refund doesn't fail or get delayed for a banking reason.
Processing — and therefore the refund — only starts once your return is filed and e-verified. Verify promptly after filing; an unverified return won't be processed and no refund will issue.
After processing, check the refund status on the portal, and read the 143(1) intimation, which confirms the refund or any adjustment. If a refund was adjusted against an old demand, respond as needed to release it.
By filing a return showing that your TDS and advance tax exceeded your actual tax for the year. The refund is computed during processing — it isn't automatic, so you must file to claim it.
Yes — file a return to recover TDS deducted on interest, stipend or freelance income even when your total income is below the taxable limit. Without filing, that tax stays unclaimed.
Common reasons are an unverified return, an unvalidated bank account, a return still processing, or an AIS/26AS mismatch. Check the status and the 143(1) intimation, which usually show the reason.
Owed a refund? Write to the firm and we'll file to claim it and help release any that's stuck.