How to Claim TDS Refund — Process & Timeline
Updated June 2026 · VerifiedHow to Claim TDS Refund Step by Step?
- Check Form 26AS & AIS: Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal and verify that all TDS deductions are correctly reflected in your Form 26AS (Tax Credit Statement) and Annual Information Statement (AIS).
- Gather documents: Collect Form 16 (salary), Form 16A (non-salary TDS), bank interest certificates, and other income proofs.
- Choose the correct ITR form: ITR-1 for salaried individuals, ITR-2 for capital gains, ITR-3 for business income, etc.
- File your ITR: Report all incomes, claim eligible deductions, and compute your tax liability. If TDS exceeds tax payable, the difference appears as refund due.
- Verify your ITR: E-verify using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or EVC within 30 days of filing. The return is invalid until verified.
- Track refund: After processing, the refund is credited to your pre-validated bank account linked to PAN.
How to Check 26AS and AIS for TDS Credits?
Before filing for a TDS refund, verify your TDS credits:
- Form 26AS: Available on the e-Filing portal under “e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS.” Shows all TDS, TCS, advance tax, and self-assessment tax entries.
- AIS (Annual Information Statement): A comprehensive statement showing all financial transactions — salary, interest, dividends, securities transactions, and TDS details.
- TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary): A summarised version of AIS with pre-filled data for ITR filing.
If any TDS entry is missing, contact the deductor to file a correction in their TDS return.
What Is the Refund Processing Time?
Once your ITR is filed and verified:
- Processing: The CPC (Centralised Processing Centre) typically processes returns within 15–30 days of e-verification.
- Refund credit: After processing, the refund is usually credited within 20–45 days to your bank account.
- Interest on refund: If the refund exceeds 10% of the tax payable, interest at 0.5% per month is paid from the date of filing to the date of refund.
How to Track TDS Refund Status?
You can track your refund status through:
- e-Filing portal: Log in → “e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns” → check refund status.
- NSDL/TIN website: Visit
tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/refundstatuslogin.htmland enter PAN and Tax Year. - CPC Bengaluru helpline: Call 1800-103-0025 (toll-free) for status enquiries.
Why Does a TDS Refund Fail?
Common reasons for refund failure:
- Bank account not pre-validated: The account linked to your PAN must be pre-validated on the e-Filing portal.
- Incorrect bank details: Wrong account number or IFSC code in the ITR.
- KYC mismatch: Name mismatch between PAN and bank account.
- ITR not verified: The return must be e-verified within 30 days; otherwise, it is treated as invalid.
- Outstanding tax demand: Any pending tax demand from earlier years may be adjusted against the refund.
- Defective return: If the ITR has errors, a defective return notice is issued, and the refund is withheld until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a TDS refund without filing ITR?
No. Filing an Income Tax Return is mandatory to claim a TDS refund. The refund arises only when the ITR shows excess TDS over the computed tax liability.
How long does it take to get a TDS refund?
Typically, the refund is credited within 20 to 45 days after the ITR is processed by CPC. Returns filed and verified early (within July) are usually processed faster.
Is interest paid on delayed TDS refunds?
Yes. If the refund amount exceeds 10% of the tax payable, the government pays interest at 0.5% per month (simple interest) from the 1st of April of the Tax Year to the date of refund.
What if TDS in 26AS does not match my Form 16/16A?
Contact the deductor (employer or payer) and request them to file a correction in their TDS return. Only TDS reflected in 26AS is allowed as credit while processing your ITR.
Can outstanding tax demand be adjusted against my refund?
Yes. The Income Tax Department can adjust any outstanding tax demand from current or previous Tax Years against your refund. You will receive an intimation before such adjustment.