I would like some advice on how to pursue obtaining my income tax refund. I have filed my return for the last 3 years electronically with CPC Bangalore and for all of them the refund has been approved, as indicated by the Intimation U/S 143(1) which I have received back from them. I had asked for the refund to be deposited in my bank account by ECS, however no refund has been received for any of the years.
When I check online I find refund status as “Failed”. However reason for failure is only given as “Others”. There is a Response Sheet for refund failure, however the only thing to rectify on this sheet is bank account details. In my case the bank account information I provided on my return was accurate, so there is nothing to rectify.
The refund status also states I can contact SBI refund banker to obtain further details. I have contacted them by e-mail (itro@sbi.co.in ) and phone (18004259760) with no response. I have also contacted IT Dept CPC in Bangalore by phone (18004252229, 080-43456700, & 080-22546500), no response, and also tried ASK (Aayakar Sampark Kendra) by writing to refunds@incometaxindia.gov.in and called them at 0124-243-8000 and of course no response.
Finally, I saw a new facility on the IT e-filing website (https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.do ) where you can request refunds to be resent by mail (by paper to PAN address). I did this about 3 months ago, but there is nothing happening. Also, there is no facility to get any further status, since they do not allow any inquiry until prior request has been answered, and they are not answering the prior request (they have not even assigned a ticket number to the requests even after so many months)!
Also, in my Form 26AS for FY 2011-12 (AY2012-13) CPC Bangalore has reported Interest earned and TDS for the interest on the refund that they have supposedly paid me, even though I have not yet received anything!
I would really appreciate any advice on why this problem is occurring and how to pursue this so I can get my refund. Thank you for your help.
Alternatives available to you are- 1. You may contact to the jurisdictional Assessing Officer with an application and details in your Local IT office. or 2. Please send a cancelled cheque alongwith the Response Sheet mentioning the Accurate Account No and Bank Details to CPC.
I have tried both those suggestions also! I have written to the AO twice so far, latest time was 1 month ago.
As far as sending cancelled cheque and bank account details to CPC, I did that too, even though there was no need to do so since there was no correction needed. However no effect from that either.
06 June 2012
Since this was e-filed, which PRO do I lodge the grievance -- CPC Bangalore or my jurisdiction AO per PAN (in my case Nagpur, even though I no longer live there)? If CPC Bangalore, what is the procedure -- what address do I write to? I have the address for the Nagpur AO. Thank you.
07 June 2012
Pls file an application under RTI (Right to Information Act) with Public Information Office at CPC Bangalore. Pls give all the reference in your application. Ask for status and name of persons who are responsible for not responding to your follow-up communications. They are bouund by law to respond to your application in writing. Hopefully, you may get your refund.
Thank you for your prompt replies and you have been very kind to give this valuable advice. However, can you tell me how I can get the detailed procedure for filing RTI with the PIO and also the address for PIO at CPC? The only address I have for CPC is where we send ITR-V, but I suppose that is not the right one for sending RTI request.
07 June 2012
For next filing of your Income tax return u/s 139, make sure you select the Income tax ward as per your current address. The reason for this is you may contact your Assessing Officer directly and can meet on such queries. Please go through the link http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/jps50/53-how-file-rti-application-delay-income-tax-refund.html This might assist you or reduce your pain.
Thank you so much for the reply. I will definitely look through the posting you suggest to file the RTI.
Regarding which AO (Ward) to put on the return: As I understand it I have to use the AO who has jurisdiction based on my PAN. Is that correct, or can I choose any AO when I file my return. My PAN jurisdiction AO is in Nagpur, I have requested for over 1 year for the jurisdiction to be transferred to Mumbai (so that I can personally go to the AO, as you suggest)but again I am getting no response and no action on getting it transferred. So, if I can just use Mumbai AO even if PAN says Nagpur that would be helpful, so please do let me know if it is allowed.
The RTI procedure states I can address my application to the PIO who is the same as the AO. In case of e-filing via CPC, then is the RTI to be sent to CPC or to jurisdiction AO? And if to CPC, what is the address -- I cannot find it anywhere? Thank you.
08 June 2012
The CPIO is the same as your Assessing Officer of the Ward/Circle where you filed the IT return, in which you claimed refund. Generally it is the ITO or Asst. Commissioner. Just address your RTI Application to:
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) under the RTI Act 2005 Assessing Officer Ward/Circle Nr. XXXX ................ ........... ........... (Postal Address) ..........
Please go through the file attached as sample on the link I posted, that will help you.
For ward change, you can select the ward and file your return accordingly but the data saved in their file would be as per your PAN. Well, the jurisdiction will be change as you make an application for change in PAN. Fill the form for Change in PAN, you will get the form from the income tax website, change your address and apply you will receive new pan card with change of address within 30-40 days and then you can file your return accordingly.
You say to send the RTI to the AO for the ward/circle where you filed the return. But I filed the return with CPC, not with the AO in Nagpur. So do I send RTI to AO in Nagpur or do I send to CPC?
08 June 2012
Also, regarding the AO to file my return with:
I have already changed my PAN address to Mumbai, but that did not change to AO, who is still Nagpur. I have written to the Nagpur AO to transfer to jurisdiction to Mumbai, no luck so far, is there some other way to get that done?
As far as which to AO to file with, if I understand you correctly, I can put in the Mumbai AO in ITR even if PAN jurisdiction is with Nagpur -- is that correct? If so, any appeal, RTI etc would then go to the Mumbai AO, or to Nagpur AO (who is still having jurisdiction per PAN)?
And even thoug I file through CPC, is it still same as having filed with the AO mentioned in the ITR?
Sorry for all these questions, but this is very complex and confusing and very hard to get clear understanding, so I thank you for your patience in answering.
08 June 2012
Though you have filed to CPC banglore, file your RTI application to your AO under jurisdiction you have filed your returns. I hope this should clear all the doubts related to it. The reason is CPC banglore just process the returns and for any refund or other query you need to contact your jurisdiction AO.
Yes, when you file your return select the ward as per your current address. As you say you have already made changes in PAN card for change in address, you might have received new PAN card which should change your jurisdiction but as you mentioned your jurisdiction has not been changed, select manually the ward as per your address this will surely help.
09 June 2012
Thank you, this is clear. You have been very helpful.
The address was changed some years ago and new PAN was also received some years ago, but jurisdiction did not change. However, as suggested by you I will now file this year's return with Mumbai AO instead of jurisdiction AO (Nagpur).
CAclubindia
