How to Request a Refund Reissue? A Detailed Guide

Q: What can be the reasons for refund failure?

Refund failure can occur due to several reasons including incorrect bank account details, bank account not linked to PAN, absence of pre-validated bank account on the e-filing portal, joint account issues, refund adjusted against outstanding tax dues under Section 245, or a closed/inactive bank account.

Q: Can I request a refund reissue if my bank account details were incorrect?

Yes, you can request a refund reissue through the Income Tax portal by updating the correct bank account information.

Q: What is the expected timeline to process a refund reissue?

Refund reissue requests are generally processed within 7 to 10 working days. However, the duration may vary based on the issue’s complexity and verification requirements.

Q: What happens if my refund was adjusted against any outstanding demand?

If the refund was adjusted against outstanding demand, the details will be mentioned in the Income Tax Assessment Order. You can also track it using the Refund/Demand Status feature on the e-filing portal.

Q: What should be done on receiving a notice for a tax refund mismatch?

Carefully review the notice to understand the issue. It may relate to incorrect bank details or filing errors. Take the necessary corrective action promptly.

Q: What happens in case an individual fails to verify the ITR within 30 days of uploading the ITR on the e-filing portal?

If the ITR is not verified within 30 days, it is treated as not filed, and penalties may apply. You can file a condonation request explaining the delay. If accepted, your return can be verified and considered valid.

Q: Can I raise a refund reissue request if my bank account has not been pre-validated?

No. Refund reissue requests can only be raised after the selected bank account is successfully pre-validated on the e-filing portal.

Q: Is it mandatory to mention the bank account details of an assessee to get a tax refund or can a pre-validated bank account number of another person be provided?

The refund can only be issued to a bank account where the PAN holder’s name matches. Providing another person's bank account is not permitted unless it matches the assessee’s PAN details.

Q: Can anyone else submit a request for condonation of delay / raise refund reissue request on my behalf?

Yes, an authorised signatory, representative assessee, or ERI (E-Return Intermediary) can file such requests on behalf of the assessee.

Q: What if a bank account is changed after filing the return?

If the bank account used in your return is no longer active, update the new account, ensure it is pre-validated, and then request a refund reissue using the new bank account.

Bhavika Rajput
Jul 30
6 min read

The reimbursement of income tax refund typically takes four to five weeks to appear in your account. If you have not received any notifications from the Income Tax Department or a Refund Banker (SBI) indicating the processing of your income tax refund has failed, you can submit a "Refund Reissue Request" by logging onto the Income Tax e-filing site. The "Refund Reissue Request" service enables the taxpayer to submit a service request.

What is a Tax Refund?

Income Tax Refund Failure

Steps to Conduct a Pre-validation Check of a Bank Account

Steps for Refund Reissue Request Online

Steps to Check the Submitted Refund Reissue Request Status

Refund Re-issue Request Processing Time

Common Mistakes When Requesting a Refund or Reissue

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tax Refund?

A taxpayer receives a refund if they have paid more taxes than they owe. The following factors frequently cause this to occur:

Overpayment of taxes made via TDS (Tax Deducted at Source).
Taxes paid in advance that exceed the total amount owed.
Inaccurate tax computations or inconsistent deductions made at the time of filing.

The Income Tax Department evaluates your return, determines your true liability, and, if you overpaid, reimburses you when you file your Income Tax Return (ITR).

Income Tax Refund Failure

The income tax department may not credit your bank account with a refund that was supposed to be paid in a specific assessment year (AY) for a number of reasons. The following are some possible explanations for why the refund was not credited to your account:

Suppose the bank account has not been pre-validated. It is now necessary to pre-validate your bank account for the assessment year (AY) 2022–2023.
The name on the bank account does not match the information on the PAN card. For instance, if your bank account was formed using your Aadhaar card as identification, it can also include your middle name, even though the PAN card does not.
When the IFSC code is invalid. For instance, it's possible that a bank merged and that the IFSC code changed, but you neglected to update it.
It is also possible that the account you referenced has already been closed.
The account and either PAN or Aadhaar are not linked.

Steps to Conduct a Pre-validation Check of a Bank Account

Step 1: Enter your user ID (PAN) and password to access the e-filing portal.

Step 2: On the "Dashboard" tab, choose "Bank Account" and then click "Update."

Step 3: You will see the "My Bank Accounts" page.

Step 4: You will notice the green checkmark with "validated" next to it if your bank account has been validated.

Steps for Refund Reissue Request Online

The taxpayer can submit a refund reissue request with the following steps.

Step 1: Go to incometax.gov.in, the official e-filing website of the Income Tax Department. Enter your password and user ID (PAN/Aadhaar) to log in.

Step 2: Go to the Services tab after logging in, and then select Refund Reissue Request. Select the appropriate assessment year.

Step 3: A list of reimbursements that are still pending for various AYs will be sent to you. To continue, click the card's Refund Re-issue button. Then, click Create New Request.

Step 4: Choose the bank account to get the reimbursement. Here, only bank account information verified through the income tax site will be displayed. Go to profile > bank account > validate them if you don't see any bank accounts.

Step 5: A success notice verifying the submission of the refund reissue request will be shown.

Steps to Check the Submitted Refund Reissue Request Status

Step 1: Open the income tax e-filing system and log in.

Step 2: After selecting "Service Request" from "My Account," select "Request Type" (View Request) and "Request Category" (Refund Reissue).

Step 3: After that, click "Submit." It will show the status of the refund reissue request that has been submitted.

Refund Re-issue Request Processing Time

Several factors, such as whether the bank is open, whether the PAN is linked to the bank account, and whether the supplied mobile number is active in the bank account, affect how refund reissue requests are handled. Refund reissue requests normally take two weeks, or fourteen days, to process. It is advisable to visit the website and get in touch with ITD customer support if the refund is not credited to the bank account.

Common Mistakes When Requesting a Refund or Reissue

The following typical errors should be avoided to guarantee a seamless processing of your refund request:

Inaccurate Bank Account Information: Always verify your bank account information (account number, IFSC code, and bank branch).
Missing or Inaccurate paperwork: Make sure you accurately submit all necessary paperwork. Provide extra documentation as soon as the Income Tax Department asks for it.
Making Multiple Refund Requests: Steer clear of making multiple refund requests if one has already been handled. Delays and misunderstandings may result from this.
Delayed Response to Queries: To prevent more delays, make sure you reply right away if the department requests clarification or more information.

Conclusion

The process of requesting a tax refund or reprint is straightforward. However, it calls for careful consideration, particularly when interacting with the Income Tax Department and providing bank account details. Follow the instructions to start a refund request or reissue if you think you should have gotten a refund but haven't. Make sure all information is always correct and monitor any changes on the Income Tax portal. Do not hesitate to use the Income Tax Department's grievance redressal procedure to raise the issue if your request has not been addressed. You may effectively handle any tax refund-related problems by remaining proactive and adhering to the required protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can be the reasons for refund failure?

Failure to issue a refund credit can happen due to various reasons. These include:

Inaccurate bank account information (mismatched account number, IFSC).
The bank account that receives the reimbursement is not connected to the PAN.
The e-filing portal does not have a pre-validated bank account.
Joint account problems (if the principal account holder's PAN does not match the one on the tax return).
A refund that has been deducted from previous tax obligations under Section 245.
A bank account that is closed or inactive.

Can I request a refund reissue if my bank account details were incorrect?

Yes, you can use the Income Tax portal to seek a refund reissue as long as you have the relevant bank account information.

What is the expected timeline to process a refund reissue?

Requests for refund reissues normally take seven to ten working days. The complexity of the problem and the required verification will determine this.

What happens if my refund was adjusted against any outstanding demand?

The Income Tax Assessment Order will specify if your refund was deducted from any outstanding balances. The Income Tax Portal’s Refund/Demand Status feature allows you to monitor the progress of such changes.

What should be done on receiving a notice for a tax refund mismatch?

After attentively reading the notice, you should take the necessary corrective action. It might have to do with incorrect bank information or mistakes in your tax return.

What happens in case an individual fails to verify the ITR within 30 days of uploading the ITR on the e-filing portal?

Your return is regarded as not filed in this situation. Under the Income-tax Act of 1961 (ITA), all penalties associated with failing to file the ITR shall become relevant. Nonetheless, you can seek a review of the verification delay and provide a good cause for the delay. You will be able to confirm your return once you have submitted such a request. However, the return won't be considered legitimate until the income tax authority grants the request for a condonation.

Can I raise a refund reissue request if my bank account has not been pre-validated?

No. Only after your chosen bank account has been pre-validated can you continue.

Is it mandatory to mention the bank account details of an assessee to get a tax refund or can a pre-validated bank account number of another person be provided?

Yes, it is feasible to give someone else's pre-validated bank account information. The only prerequisite is that the bank account information and the name on the PAN card should match.

Can anyone else submit a request for condonation of delay / raise refund reissue request on my behalf?

On behalf of the assessee, an authorised signatory, representative assessee, or ERI may request a refund reissue or a delay forgiveness.

What if a bank account is changed after filing the return?

Update a new bank account if the one listed on your return is no longer active:

Make sure the new account is pre-validated.
Use the new bank account to request a refund reissue.

Can a refund reissue request be modified after submission?

There is no way to modify a refund reissue request once it has been sent in. You will have to wait for the failure before reapplying if inaccurate information has been provided.