Refund in a belated return

ITR

Updated 31 Oct 2026. Every paid answer is checked by a CA. Free AI answers are labelled until a CA verifies them.

Facts
No. A belated return can still claim a refund. Interest on the refund under Sec 244A (now Sec 437) runs only from the date of filing, not from 1 April, when the return is late.
Provisions and law
- Sec 139(4), Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 263(4), Income-tax Act 2025)Belated return can be filed after the due date, by 31 December of the assessment year or before assessment, whichever is earlier
- Sec 244A, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 437, Income-tax Act 2025)Interest on refund, generally 0.5% a month or part of a month
Analysis
The late fee applies only if the person was required to file. Example: TDS of ₹42,000 on salary and FD interest where actual tax is ₹12,000; a belated return still gets the ₹30,000 refund, but interest starts from the filing date. If 31 December 2026 is also missed, a refund can then be claimed only through a condonation request, since an updated return cannot increase a refund.
Conclusion
1. Check your refund in the draft computation
2. Validate your bank account on the portal
3. File the belated return before 31 December 2026
4. E-verify at once so processing starts
5. Track refund status

A Savvy can do this for you

Belated and revised return, Sec 263(4) and 263(5) (old 139(4) and 139(5))

₹1,499

General guidance from TaxSavvy’s library of money processes. Laws change; your Savvy confirms the answer on your exact case before anything is filed.

Answer