Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is a statutory requirement for individuals who earn taxable income in India. As per the applicable provisions, individuals whose annual income exceeds ₹2.5 lakh are required to file an ITR. For taxpayers not liable for a tax audit, the due date for filing the return is generally 31st July every year. However, the due date for filing ITR for FY 2024-25 has been extended to 15th September 2025. File Now.
One of the key advantages of filing an ITR is the ability to claim an income tax refund. A refund is issued when the tax paid by a taxpayer during the financial year exceeds their actual tax liability.
After an ITR is filed, it goes through multiple stages, including submission, verification, and processing. It is important to track the status of your return to confirm that it has been successfully received and processed by the Income Tax Department.
Different Types of ITR Statuses
Submitted and Pending for e-Verification/Verification:
This status indicates that the ITR has been filed, but it has not yet been e-verified, or the signed ITR-V has not been received by the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC).
Successfully e-Verified/Verified:
This status means the return has been successfully filed and verified. However, the Income Tax Department has not yet processed the return.
Processed:
This status confirms that the Income Tax Department has successfully processed your Income Tax Return.
Defective:
A return is marked as defective when the department identifies missing information or inconsistencies in the filed return. In such cases, a notice under Section 139(9) is issued, requiring the taxpayer to rectify the defects within the prescribed time. Failure to respond may result in the return being treated as invalid and excluded from further processing.
Case Transferred to Assessing Officer:
This status indicates that the CPC has transferred your return to the jurisdictional Assessing Officer (AO). If this happens, the Assessing Officer may contact you for additional information or supporting documents.
How to Track Your ITR Filing Status?
The ITR Status facility is available both before and after login for the following users:
- All taxpayers for Income Tax Returns filed against their PAN.
- Authorised Signatories, ERIs, and Representative Assessees for returns filed in their respective capacities.
Using this service, eligible users can:
- View and download the ITR-V Acknowledgement.
- Download the uploaded JSON file (submitted through the offline utility).
- Access the complete ITR form in PDF format and the intimation order.
- Check returns that are still pending verification.
How to Check Your ITR Status (Without Login)
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal homepage.
Step 2: Click on Income Tax Return (ITR) Status.
Step 3: Enter your Acknowledgement Number and a valid mobile number, then click Continue.
Step 4: Enter the 6-digit OTP received on the registered mobile number and click Submit.
Note:
- The OTP remains valid for 15 minutes only.
- You get three attempts to enter the correct OTP.
- An on-screen timer displays the remaining validity of the OTP.
- Clicking Resend OTP generates and sends a new OTP.
After successful OTP verification, your ITR status will be displayed.
If your PAN is inoperative, your refund cannot be processed. You must link your PAN with Aadhaar after paying the applicable fee under Section 234H.
How to Check Your ITR Status (After Login)
Step 1: Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal using your User ID and Password.
For individual taxpayers whose PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, a pop-up message will appear stating that the PAN has become inoperative.
To link your PAN with Aadhaar, click Link Now. Otherwise, click Continue.
Step 2: Go to:
e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns
Step 3: The View Filed Returns page will display all the Income Tax Returns filed by you.
From this page, you can:
- Download the ITR-V Acknowledgement.
- Download the uploaded JSON file (submitted through the offline utility).
- Download the complete ITR in PDF format.
- Download the Intimation Order.
Note:
If your PAN is inoperative, a message will appear stating that the refund cannot be issued until your PAN is linked with Aadhaar. You can click Link Now or continue without linking.
Additional options available include:
- Filter – View filed returns based on Assessment Year or Filing Type.
- Export to Excel – Download return details in Excel format.
- View Details – Check the complete lifecycle of your return along with pending actions, such as e-verification.
Understanding Different ITR Statuses
ITR Filed
This status indicates that your return has been successfully submitted to the Income Tax Department but has not yet been verified. An ITR becomes valid only after it is verified within 30 days of filing. Verification can be completed online through e-verification or by sending the signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru.
Pending for e-Verification
Your return has been filed successfully, but the e-verification process is still pending.
Successfully e-Verified
This means your return has been both filed and verified. The Income Tax Department will now begin processing your return.
Under Processing
The department is examining your Income Tax Return. During this stage, it verifies the information provided, checks tax calculations, reviews refund or tax demand, and identifies any errors or inconsistencies.
Return Processed and Refund Paid
This status confirms that your return has been processed successfully and your refund has been issued. The refund may have been credited directly to your bank account or issued through a cheque. This generally marks the completion of the return processing.
Processed, Refund Determined, and Sent to Refund Banker
The Income Tax Department has processed your return, determined that a refund is payable, and forwarded the refund instructions to the authorised bank. The refund is in the banking process and is generally credited within a few days.
Return Processed with No Demand and No Refund
This status means the return has been processed, and the department has found that there is neither any refund due nor any additional tax payable. The taxes already paid through TDS or advance tax match your final tax liability.
Return Processed and Tax Demand Determined
This status indicates that, after processing your return, the department has determined that additional tax is payable. This may happen due to incorrect deductions or exemptions claimed, omission of income, or calculation errors. You may be required to pay the outstanding tax with applicable interest or file a rectification request.
Processed and Refund Cheque Returned Unpaid
If your refund exceeded ₹50,000, it may have been issued through a cheque. This status indicates that the cheque was returned undelivered, possibly because the address was incorrect or no one was available to receive it. In such cases, you need to submit an online refund reissue request.
Where Can You Find Your ITR Acknowledgement Number?
You can locate your ITR acknowledgement number in the ITR-V sent to your registered email after successfully filing your Income Tax Return. It can also be downloaded from the Income Tax e-Filing portal after logging in by following this path:
e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns → Download Receipt
Alternatively, after logging in to the e-Filing portal, you can view your acknowledgement number through the View Filed Forms service.
How to Check Your Income Tax Refund Status Through us
Step 1: Enter your PAN number.
Step 2: Select the Assessment Year for which you want to check the refund status.
Step 3: Enter your email ID and click “Check Refund Status.”
Step 4: Provide your ITR acknowledgement number and mobile number.
Step 5: Click “Check Refund Status” to view the refund details.
While waiting for your income tax refund, ensure that your ITR is filed accurately and within the prescribed deadline to avoid delays. If you need assistance with tax filing, refund-related queries, or responding to income tax notices, professional guidance can help simplify the entire process, from tax planning to return filing and notice management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why should I check my ITR status?
Checking your Income Tax Return (ITR) status helps you confirm whether your return has been successfully filed, verified, processed, or if any action is required by the Income Tax Department. It also allows you to track refund status and respond promptly to any notices or discrepancies.
Q2. Can I check the status of both my current and previous Income Tax Returns?
Yes. After logging into the Income Tax e-filing portal, you can view the status of your current return as well as returns filed for previous assessment years.
Q3. What are the different ITR status messages?
Common ITR status messages include:
- Return Submitted and Pending for Verification
- Successfully e-Verified
- Return Under Processing
- Return Processed
- Defective Return
- Return Invalid
- Case Transferred to the Assessing Officer
- Refund Issued (where applicable)
Each status indicates a different stage in the return processing cycle.
Q4. Can an authorized representative check my ITR status?
Yes. If your Income Tax Return has been filed through an authorized representative or tax professional with appropriate access, they can also check the status of your return.
Q5. Do I need to log in to check my ITR status?
No. You can check your ITR status both with and without logging into the Income Tax e-filing portal. However, logging in provides access to additional details, including past returns and communications from the department.
Q6. Can I check my ITR status without a registered mobile number?
Yes. You can check your ITR status without logging in by using your ITR Acknowledgement Number and a valid mobile number to receive the OTP. The mobile number does not necessarily have to be registered on the e-filing portal.
Q7. What details are required to check my ITR status online?
Depending on the method used, you may need:
- ITR Acknowledgement Number
- PAN
- Assessment Year
- Registered or valid mobile number (for OTP verification)
- Login credentials (if checking through the e-filing account)
Q8. How long does it take for an ITR to be processed?
The processing time varies depending on the complexity of the return and the volume of returns being handled by the Income Tax Department. Processing may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or longer in some cases.
Q9. What should I do if my ITR status shows ‘Pending for Verification’?
If your return is pending verification, you should complete the e-verification process within the prescribed time limit. An unverified return is treated as invalid if it is not verified within the allowed period.
Q10. What does ‘Defective Return’ mean?
A defective return means the Income Tax Department has identified errors, missing information, or inconsistencies in your filed return. You should respond to the notice and rectify the defects within the specified time.
Q11. Can I check the status of my income tax refund through my ITR status?
Yes. Once your return has been processed, the ITR status may indicate whether your refund has been approved, issued, or if any further action is pending.
Q12. What should I do if my ITR has been processed but I have not received my refund?
If your return has been processed but the refund has not been credited, check your refund status on the Income Tax e-filing portal, ensure your bank account is pre-validated, and verify that there are no pending notices or account-related issues.
Q13. Can I revise my ITR after checking its status?
Yes. If your original return is eligible for revision under the Income Tax Act, you can file a revised return within the prescribed time limit to correct any mistakes or omissions.
Q14. What does ‘Case Transferred to Assessing Officer’ mean?
This status indicates that your return requires further examination by the Assessing Officer. You may receive a notice requesting additional information or supporting documents before the assessment is completed.