Missed ITR Deadline? Know How to Claim Your TDS Refund

Taxpayers who have missed the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline may still be able to claim a refund of excess Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), subject to applicable rules and conditions. Missing the original deadline does not automatically mean that the TDS refund is lost.

What Is a TDS Refund?

TDS is treated as a tax credit against a taxpayer’s final income-tax liability. If the amount of TDS deducted is higher than the actual tax payable, the excess amount can generally be claimed as a refund by filing an ITR.

For example, if a taxpayer’s final tax liability is ₹700 but ₹1,000 has already been deducted as TDS, the taxpayer may be eligible for a ₹300 refund, subject to applicable provisions.

Missed the ITR Deadline? A Belated Return May Help

For FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27), individuals who missed the original ITR filing deadline can file a belated return under Section 139(4) up to December 31, 2026, subject to the applicable rules.

Late filing may attract a fee of ₹1,000 for taxpayers with total income up to ₹5 lakh and ₹5,000 in other cases, where applicable. Interest may also be charged if there is an outstanding tax liability.

What If the Belated Return Deadline Has Also Passed?

If the taxpayer has also missed the belated return deadline, they may be able to request condonation of delay from the Income Tax Department, subject to the applicable provisions.

Condonation is not automatic. The taxpayer generally needs to provide a reasonable explanation for the delay and demonstrate genuine hardship. If the request is approved, the taxpayer may then be permitted to file the return and claim the eligible refund.

Documents to Keep Ready

Before filing a return or requesting condonation of delay, taxpayers should check their tax records and keep the following documents ready:

- Form 16
- Form 26AS
- Annual Information Statement (AIS)
- Income details
- TDS details
- Bank account details
- Documents supporting the reason for the delay, if applicable

Taxpayers should also reconcile the TDS claimed in their return with the tax credit reflected in Form 26AS and AIS. Any mismatch may affect the processing of the refund.

Important Points to Remember

Taxpayers should:

- Check whether they are eligible to file a belated return.
- Reconcile TDS details with Form 26AS and AIS.
- Report all taxable income accurately.
- Pay applicable late-filing fees and interest.
- Ensure that the bank account selected for the refund is properly validated.
- Contact the employer or deductor if there is an error in the TDS details.

An updated return (ITR-U) generally cacannot be used to create or increase a refund under the applicable provisions. Therefore, taxpayers who have missed the regular filing deadline should check whether the belated return or condonation-of-delay route is available for their specific circumstances.