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Tax Refund Calculator 2025-26

Calculate your income tax refund for FY 2025-26. Compare your tax liability with TDS deducted and advance tax paid to determine if you're eligible for refund or additional tax payment.

TDS vs Tax LiabilityRefund CalculationOld vs New RegimeInstant Results
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Deductions

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Tax Refund Expected

₹8.20 K

Tax Liability: ₹1.12 L

Taxable Income

₹9.75 L

Tax Paid

₹1.20 L

Tax Paid vs Tax Liability

Detailed Tax Calculation

Income & Deductions

Gross Salary₹12.00 L
Standard Deduction₹50.00 K
Other Deductions₹1.75 L
Taxable Income₹9.75 L

Tax Calculation

Tax Liability (with cess)₹1.12 L
Tax Paid (TDS + Advance)₹1.20 L
Refund Amount₹8.20 K

Refund Process Timeline

1

File ITR

Submit your income tax return with all required documents

Before due date
2

Verification

E-verify your return or send signed ITR-V within 120 days

Within 120 days
3

Processing

IT department processes your return and calculates refund

30-45 days
4

Refund Issue

Refund is issued to your bank account via ECS/Direct Credit

Additional 15-30 days

Filing Best Practices

  • File return early to get refund faster
  • Use pre-filled ITR from income tax portal
  • Verify bank account details in IT portal
  • Keep all supporting documents ready

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Incorrect bank details leading to refund failure
  • Missing e-verification within 120 days
  • Claiming incorrect deductions or exemptions
  • Not reconciling Form 16 with TDS certificates

Income Tax Refund Process Timeline

1

File Income Tax Return (ITR)

Submit your ITR online through income tax e-filing portal before the due date. Ensure all income sources, deductions, and tax payments are accurately reported.

Timeline: Before July 31st for salaried individuals (may be extended)

Required: Form 16, investment proofs, bank statements

2

Verify Your Return

E-verify your return using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or send signed ITR-V to CPC Bangalore. Verification must be completed within 120 days of filing.

Timeline: Within 120 days of filing ITR

Methods: Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, Demat Account, Bank Account

3

Processing by Income Tax Department

IT department processes your return, calculates actual tax liability, and compares with tax paid. Automated processing generates demand or refund determination.

Timeline: 30-45 days after verification

Status: Check on e-filing portal under "View Returns/Forms"

4

Refund Issuance

If eligible, refund is issued directly to your bank account via ECS/NEFT. Ensure correct bank details are updated in your IT portal profile.

Timeline: 15-30 days after processing completion

Method: Direct bank credit through ECS/NEFT

Common Tax Refund Scenarios

Excess TDS Deduction

When employer deducts more TDS than actual tax liability, especially common with job changes, variable income, or higher deductions.

Example: Tax liability ₹50,000, TDS deducted ₹75,000 → Refund ₹25,000

Advance Tax Overpayment

Business owners or professionals who paid excess advance tax based on estimated income but actual income was lower than projected.

Example: Advance tax ₹1L, actual liability ₹70,000 → Refund ₹30,000

High Deductions Claimed

Individuals with significant Section 80C, 80D deductions, home loan interest, or other exemptions reducing tax liability below TDS deducted.

Example: TDS ₹60,000, but deductions reduced liability to ₹30,000

Mid-Year Job Change

When changing jobs mid-year, both employers may deduct TDS assuming full year employment, leading to excess TDS deduction.

Tip: Submit investment proofs and Form 12BB to new employer

Capital Loss Setoff

Capital losses from equity, mutual funds, or real estate can be set off against capital gains, reducing overall tax liability.

Note: Only like losses can offset like gains (STCL vs STCG)

Multiple Income Sources

Having multiple income sources (salary, freelancing, investments) with TDS deducted separately may result in excess tax payment overall.

Solution: File ITR to consolidate all income and claim appropriate refund

Tax Refund Filing Checklist

📋 Documents Required

Form 16 from employer(s)
Form 16A for other TDS certificates
Bank statements and interest certificates
Investment proofs (80C, 80D)
Capital gains/loss statements
Business income/loss statements (if applicable)
Rent receipts and HRA calculations
Form 26AS from IT portal

✅ Pre-Filing Checklist

Update bank account details in IT portal
Verify PAN and Aadhaar linking
Calculate tax liability accurately
Reconcile TDS with Form 26AS
Choose optimal tax regime (old vs new)
Gather all exemption and deduction proofs
Check for any pending notices/demands
Ensure digital signature or e-verification method

Troubleshooting Refund Delays

🏦 Bank Account Issues

  • • Verify bank account number and IFSC code
  • • Ensure account is active and not frozen
  • • Check if account name matches PAN name
  • • Update details in IT portal if changed
  • • Prefer salary account for faster processing

📄 Return Processing Issues

  • • Check if return is verified within 120 days
  • • Ensure all mandatory fields are filled
  • • Verify calculation accuracy
  • • Check for any pending notices
  • • Respond to any IT department queries promptly

⏰ System and Timing Issues

  • • Peak season processing delays (Apr-Aug)
  • • Technical issues in IT systems
  • • High volume of returns filed
  • • Random selection for detailed scrutiny
  • • Wait for automatic processing completion

Tax Refund Calculator FAQs

Everything you need to know about income tax refunds, TDS refunds, and refund processing

How is income tax refund calculated?

Tax refund is calculated by comparing your actual tax liability with the total tax paid (TDS + Advance Tax + Self-Assessment Tax). If total tax paid exceeds actual liability, you get a refund. If actual liability is higher, you need to pay additional tax.

When will I get my income tax refund?

After filing and processing your ITR, refunds are typically issued within 30-45 days if filed before due date. Late filed returns may take longer. The refund is directly credited to your bank account linked with PAN through ECS (Electronic Clearance Service).

Why is my tax refund taking so long?

Delays can occur due to: incorrect bank details in IT portal, discrepancies in ITR, pending verification (if not e-verified), high volume during peak season, or if your return is selected for scrutiny. Always e-verify within 120 days of filing.

Can I claim refund for previous years?

Yes, you can file belated returns for previous years and claim refunds, but with limitations. Returns can be filed up to 3 years from the end of relevant assessment year. However, late filing attracts penalties and may reduce refund amount due to interest provisions.

What if I paid more advance tax than required?

Excess advance tax paid gets adjusted against your final tax liability and any surplus is refunded. However, if you paid significantly more advance tax than required, it may indicate poor tax planning. Interest is not paid on excess advance tax.

How to check income tax refund status?

Check refund status on income tax e-filing portal under 'Refund/Demand Status' or call NSDL helpline. You can also check through SMS by sending ITSTAT<space>PAN to 57575. Track through 'Know Your Refund Status' on incometaxindia.gov.in without login.

What happens if I don't claim my tax refund?

If you don't file ITR to claim refund within the time limit (usually before due date), the refund lapses and you lose the money. The government doesn't automatically process refunds - you must file return to claim it. There's no automatic carryforward of unclaimed refunds.

Can I get interest on delayed tax refunds?

Yes, if your refund is delayed beyond the prescribed time limit, you're entitled to interest under Section 244A at 6% per annum. Interest is calculated from April 1st of the relevant assessment year till the date of refund processing, subject to certain conditions.

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