How to Get Your Tax Refund

Why Was Extra Tax Deducted?

It is incredibly common to find out that extra tax (TDS) was deducted from your salary or interest income. This usually happens when:

• You failed to submit your investment proofs (like LIC, PPF, or Rent Receipts) to your employer on time.
• Your bank deducted 10% TDS on fixed deposit interest because you didn't submit Form 15G/15H.
• Your total taxable income is below the taxable limit (thanks to the ₹12L rebate under the New Regime), but tax was still deducted at the source.

The good news? Every single rupee of that extra deducted tax belongs to you, and the Income Tax Department will refund it directly to your bank account with interest.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Tax Refund

Step 1: Check Your Form 26AS & AIS

Before you can claim a refund, you need to prove that the tax was actually deposited with the government. Log in to the Income Tax Portal and download your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS). Ensure that the TDS deducted by your employer or bank matches the amount shown in these documents.

Step 2: Calculate Your True Tax Liability

Before filing, you must calculate exactly how much tax you should have paid. If you forgot to declare your HRA or 80C investments to your employer, you can still claim them directly while filing your ITR under the Old Regime.

👉 Use our Advanced Income Tax Calculator to input all your forgotten deductions. The calculator will instantly show your true tax liability so you know exactly how much refund to expect.

Step 3: Pre-Validate Your Bank Account

The Income Tax Department only issues refunds electronically. Go to your profile on the IT Portal and ensure your primary bank account is marked as "Nominated for Refund" and is successfully pre-validated with your PAN and mobile number.

Step 4: File Your Income Tax Return (ITR)

You cannot get a refund without filing an ITR. When you file your ITR (usually ITR-1 or ITR-2 for salaried individuals), the system will automatically compare the tax you owe against the TDS already paid (as per Form 26AS). If the TDS is higher, the portal will immediately show a "Refund Due" amount.

How Long Does the Refund Take?

Once you file and heavily e-verify your return (via Aadhaar OTP), the processing is completely automated. Most taxpayers receive their refunds credited directly to their bank accounts within 15 to 45 days of e-verification.