We all know the working of the Income tax department. Genuine tax-payers who honestly pay taxes find it difficult to get back the refund even after paying the taxes honestly. Hundreds of professionals in service sector file their returns on time, but the Income tax department bureaucratic and lengthy procedures ensure that majority of the individual don’t get their tax refund on time.
However, there are still some things that one can keep in mind to see that he/she receives the tax return on time:
1. Always opt for ECS or Electronic Clearing System, for claiming your tax return
2. Always put your PERMANENT address where you can expect the postal mails to come without fail. Even if you work in Chennai as a software engineer, mention the address of your native town in UP where someone (family) always stays. The reason is that most of the times, you may not be there at your residence to receive the notice/letters sent from the IT Department (like going on onsite visit).
3. Always mention your full address clearly.
Even after ensuring the above, there is a 90% chance that you may not receive your tax refund on time. What to do then?
Simple, Right to Information or RTI act is there to help you out.
Here is what you should do.
Write a simple application in the below mentioned format in a plain paper and submit it to the Income tax office where you’ve filed your tax returns. You can send the application by Speed Post/Registered Post as well. Along with that you should send a fee of Rs. 10 (through Demand Draft). The best is to submit the application in person at the IT office, as that will save you postage cost as well as DD charges.
Format:
{Your Name and Address and Phone Nos.}
To,
The Public Information Officer,
Income Tax Department,
{Address of Income tax office}
Sub: RTI Application
I, {Your Name}, PAN No. {You PAN No. }, have filed the Income tax returns on date {Date of Filing the Returns}. As per the filings, I am expecting a tax refund of Rs. {Amount}.
However, till date, I’ve not received any refund. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, I wish to apply for the following information:
1. I’ve opted for ECS refund, but not received anything in my bank account. What are the reasons that I have not been sent my refund till date?
2. If the refund was sent by post, please provide the proof of sending the refund check along with date of sending
3. Since the refund has not been sent on the specified time, what is the amount of interest I am supposed to receive for delayed refund? Please explain the calculations mentioning the no. of days and interest rate.
4. Who is the concerned officer with whom my IT refund has been lying pending since so many days?
5. When can I finally expect the refund, please mention the date.
I am submitting the RTI application fee of Rs. 10 along with this application. As per the RTI laws, along with you response, please provide the name of the first appellate authority to whom I may file my first appeal, if required.
Thanks,
{Your name & Signature}
Encls: Copy of IT returns
Related: Check your tax refund status online for previous years!
Follow the above process and you will get a response for your RTI application within 30 days. If submitting the application in person, make sure you carry 2 copies, and take the acknowledgement stamp on the second copy.
| Many NRI’s have been using the RTI act to get their IT refunds. No bribe, no more delays, only a simple 10 Rss. RTI application does the task. | Table of Contents |
