If you’ve filed your Income Tax Return (ITR) through non-professionals promising high refunds, you might be in trouble. In recent years, cases have emerged across various states where employees have claimed fraudulent donations and expenses in their returns to obtain larger refunds.
This has led to a stricter approach to refund claims across the country. Tax experts say many taxpayers are having their returns filed by non-professionals who lure them with promises of high refunds, which often puts taxpayers at legal risk.
Increased Scrutiny of Taxpayers
The Income Tax Department has decided to investigate large refund claims filed fraudulently. Employees filing their ITR through a single agency on a large scale will be under increased surveillance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued new guidelines (SOPs) to tackle this. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the department will identify suspicious returns and refunds.
Those taxpayers whose returns were flagged in the past nine years are under close review, especially salaried individuals who filed returns through non-professional agencies. Many of these taxpayers are facing refund delays.
Department May Recover Refunds
With this move, there may be delays in refunds this year. Experts note that the tax department has the right to recover refunds from the past four years if found fraudulent.
Steps to Check Your Refund Status
- Visit the Income Tax Department’s portal www.incometax.gov.in.
- Log in with your User ID (PAN number) and password.
- Click on “My Account” and open “Refund/Demand Status.”
- Select “Income Tax Returns.”
- Click on the Receipt Number. A new page will open, displaying all ITR-related details.
What to Do if There’s a Delay
- Check your email: The tax department communicates refunds or additional information requirements via email.
- If refund is denied: Taxpayers can request reissue of the refund if the claim was initially rejected.
- Pending claims: Reach out through the e-filing portal or your assessing officer for quicker resolution.
If the Delay Persists
- Contact the Income Tax Department: Call their helpline at 1800-103-4455 or email them at ask@incometax.gov.in for assistance on your refund status.
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