What are the Different Types of ITR status?

Introduction

If your income exceeds the prescribed limits, it doesn’t matter whether you are a salaried person, a self-employed person, or a business; every taxpayer is obliged to file an ITR in India. Filing an ITR is only the first step; what happens next depends on the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) of the ITD verifying your return.

The ITR status is simply a tracker of updates. Taxpayers can check whether their ITR filing is progressing smoothly or if they need to take corrective measures if something goes wrong by regularly checking their status on the income tax e-filing portal.

ITR Status Types

1. Submitted but Not Verified

After the return is filed, it ultimately has to be verified online (i.e. e-verification via Aadhaar OTP, net banking, etc.) or by sending a physically signed copy of ITR-V and submitting it to CPC, Bengaluru.

• If it is not verified within 30 days, the return will be invalid.
• Action needed: Verify return as soon as possible.

2. Successfully Verified

When in this status, it indicates that your ITR has been filed with appropriate verification but is still being processed by CPC.

• Action required: None. Just wait for the CPC to process the return.

3. Processed

If your cumulated income, expenses, and eligible non-taxable income match the records and calculations with CPC, ITR will be shown as Processed in the ITR status.

• At this stage, your filing is complete, and you will receive any scheduled refund (if applicable) in your bank account.
• Action required: None, unless you found discrepancies in the refund/tax payable.

4. Defective Return (u/s 139(9))

Sometimes a return may be considered defective due to missing information, the wrong ITR form, or mismatched details.

• The department will issue a notice to you under Section 139(9).
• Action to be taken – Correct and re-file within the appropriate time limits, usually 15 days.

5. Return Submitted and Under Processing

This means the CPC has received and verified your return but is still processing it.

• Action required: None. Just wait.

6. Return Processed with Demand Determined

Here, CPC finds that you still owe additional tax after processing your return.

• Action required: Pay the outstanding tax amount or file a rectification if you believe it’s an error.

 7. Return Processed – Refund Determined

This status indicates that CPC has verified you are entitled to a refund.

• The refund will typically be credited within a few weeks.
• Action required: Make sure your banking information is pre-validated on the portal.

8. Return Processed – No Demand/No Refund

This means that your return was accepted, and there is no tax payable or refundable.

• Action required: None. This is the end of your filing cycle.

9. Rectification Processed

If you filed a request for rectification (under Section 154) to correct an earlier mistake, this status indicates that the CPC has processed your rectification.

• Action required: Please review whether the correction is what you requested.

10. Return Under Scrutiny / Assessment

In some cases, your return may be picked up for detailed scrutiny by the Assessing Officer.

• Reasons could include mismatches in income, high-value transactions, or random selection.
• Action required: Respond to notices, submit documents, and cooperate with proceedings.

11. Invalid Return

If you fail to verify the return within 30 days of filing, or do not respond to notices regarding a defective return, your ITR will be treated as invalid.

• Legally, it will be considered as if you never filed.
• Action required: File a new return, possibly with late-filing penalties.

How to Find Out Your ITR Status Online?

1. Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing Portal.
2. Select e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
3. Select the appropriate Assessment Year.
4. You will see the status of your ITR against your filing.

Another option, without a login, is to check using PAN & acknowledgement number on the portal.

Why Should You Track ITR Status?

• To ensure timely action if defects or discrepancies arise
• To help avoid penalties & interest on unpaid taxes
• To ensure that you are updated on your refund progress
• To have evidence of compliance in case of disputes in the future.

Conclusion

The status of your ITR is like a report card for your tax return. It can show you if your return has been accepted smoothly, requires corrections, or is under further review. There are simple statuses, such as Verified and Processed, as well as more severe ones, such as Defective Return or Scrutiny.

Keep your filing experience simple by frequently checking your ITR status page on the income tax portal and resolving issues promptly.  Always remember that on-time filing alone is only half the battle; keeping track of your ITR issues and resolving them ensures complete compliance.