ITR Filing: I have filed my ITR, but I haven't verified it; Will I still get a refund?

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is just the initial step in the larger tax refund process. But, what happens if you've filed your ITR and haven't followed up with verification? Will your awaited refund still be granted?

According to rules set by the Income Tax Department, any ITR that has not been verified is not a valid ITR. So, if you’re looking forward to receiving your returns then you need to verify your ITR at the earliest.

Why is ITR filing verification needed?

As per the existing Income Tax rules, taxpayers are mandated to authenticate their ITR within 30 days of filing the return. This action is crucial as it validates your ITR for further procedures. The e-verification process offers several convenient methods, including a one-time password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile, an electronic verification code (EVC) via your bank or demat account, net banking, or a digital signature.

There's a provision for those who miss this 30-day period. Taxpayers can request for an extension of the verification period to 120 days, though the acceptance of the request is at the discretion of the tax officer.

Refund after e-verification

After verification, the next step involves processing your ITR. Following this, the Income Tax Department will issue intimation as per section 143(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. This communication can signify acceptance, rejection, or a tax demand, determining the course of future proceedings.

If a refund is due, the timeline can stretch from 7 to 120 days, with the process typically rounding up at about 90 days. You can keep track of your refund status via the online service provided by the Income Tax Department, by entering your PAN number and the relevant Assessment Year.

In case your refund is processed within the stipulated time period, you can submit a 'Refund Reissue' request on the e-Filing portal. This involves selecting a pre-validated bank account for the refund to be deposited.