Friday, July 13, 2012

Claiming IT Refund in India



Remember Financial Year is not the same as Assessment Year unlike in the US ;-) Indians are kings when it comes to making things complicated - The positive side is that your braing gets to work more :) So Financial Year 2011-2012 is also read as Assessment Year 2012-2013 (Financial Year starts from April of a given year and ends in March of the subsequent year. Whereas Assessment Year is that financial year in which the assessment of your returns is done) So if you are filing your returns for Financial Year 2011-2012 (April'11 - Mar'12) then your ITR-1 will state it as returns filed for Assessment Year (2012-2013) because it is submitted for assessment in the Financial Year 2012-2013





You can track the status of your past IT Refunds online using the following link: IT Refund Online Status

In case there is an old refund pending then the Income Tax department may ask you to submit an Indemnity Bond, which is a self-declaration that you have not received that specific refund in the past and in case of duplicate refund you will pay the IT department back the excess amount (This is kind of a standard procedure so safe to do). Read Indemnity Bond for IT Refund for more information on the format of Indemnity Bond for IT refund and how to get a refund reissued to you in case you Cheque from IT department has returned back due to change in address, etc. Interestingly, the IT department has also included a new feature on their website, wherein you should be able to request for the reissuance of your cheque online. Since this process is absolutely new, I am not very sure how this works but you can always write a letter to CPC to place a request for reissuing your returned cheque (I have put the format of the letter on my blog).

If you receive any cheque for refund from the IT department, you should take a moment to thank God because you are one of those lucky few who get it on time or get it at all. Any cheque that you get from the IT department MUST be submitted in person to the the bank. Make sure the person who the cheque is addressed to signs at the back of the IT Refund and is physically present at the Bank. Signing behind the IT refund order is important because thi sis your acknowledgement given to the Govt. of India that you have received the refund. If the IT Refund Order is an outstation chequeue then it may take up to a week before the amount is credited into your Bank account.Unfortunately regardless of whether you mention the mode of refund as ECS, the IT department is stupid enough to issue a physical cheque thereby complicating things (which as stated earlier is normal in India). However state of affairs have shown a significant improvement over the last decade though I agree there is so much that can still be improved.

I hope this information helps you get you track and get your IT Refunds

File your IT Returns Online

I have documented the procedure of filing your Income Tax Refunds in India online for Assessment Year 2012-2013 (Financial Year 2011-2012).  Note: AY 2012-2013 (Assessment Year 2012-2013) is to be selected for filing your returns for Financial Year 2011-2012. You don’t have to pay anything if you file your returns online yourself. Remember IT Refunds are processed faster if filed online. If you are getting your IT returns filed with the help of an agency or a Chartered Accountant, ensure that it is filed online.

You can file your IT Returns online using the site: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/

Here is the procedure:

1. Create an online profile on https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in with your PAN number. Your login ID will be your PAN number.




2. Download the following forms: Downloadà AY 2012-2013à  ITR-1 (SAHAJ – for Salaried Individuals) Excel Utility (Version 1.0) (I have downloaded and attached this form for your reference)

3. Complete the Excel Utility offline on your computer using information from your Form 16 and follow instructions in the Help Document to validate your excel sheet. Generate an xml file using the options given in the Excel sheet and save it on your Machine.

4. Login to the online profile using your ID (PAN Number)

5. Locate the “Submit Return” section on the left side of the web page. Select the assessment year AY 11-12



6. Select ITR-1 from the drop down. Select the Digitally Sign the File option as “No”.  In this case you will have to take a printout of the submitted form, sign it and post to CPC, Bangalore within 120 days of filing the form. Click on Next


7. On the next screen, browse and select the xml file you have generated in Step 3 above.

8. Once you click on Upload, you will get a confirmation on screen followed by an email to your mail address specified in your online profile. Take a printout of the form, sign it and post to the address mentioned there within 120s of submitting the form by ORDINARY POST / SPEED POST ONLY. Refer to some DO’s and DON’T’s for ITRV attached with this email.

9. In about a couple of weeks you should receive an acknowledgement from CPC via email, Bangalore along with an sms confirming the receipt of your ITR-V


Remember that 31-Aug-2012 is the last date for filing your IT returns in India for AY 2012-2013
  
Hopefully this will help you guys with filing your returns online.
  
Good Luck !