Answer

1. F

   Facts

   A lower refund in the intimation means CPC changed something: a TDS credit, a deduction, interest or a fee. The intimation shows the exact lines that changed.

2. P

   Provisions and law

   • Sec 143(1), Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 270(1))After processing your return, CPC sends an intimation showing tax payable or refund due, after only limited adjustments.
   • Sec 245, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 438)A refund can be set off against tax still payable for another year, after intimation to you.
   • Sec 154, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 287)A mistake apparent from the record can be rectified on request, within four years from the end of the financial year in which the order was passed.
3. A

   Analysis

   Take the ₹13,000 gap and trace it. Often it is TDS of ₹10,000 from a bank not in 26AS, plus ₹3,000 of 234C interest. The TDS part is fixed through the bank's TDS correction and then a rectification; the interest part is usually correct. If part of the refund was set off against an older demand, the intimation or a separate Sec 245 notice will say so.

4. C

   Conclusion

   1. 1Note the refund you claimed and the refund determined.
   2. 2Match each changed line in the intimation to the gap.
   3. 3Check Form 26AS for missing TDS.
   4. 4Check Pending Actions for any old demand adjusted.
   5. 5Rectify only the parts that are CPC or deductor errors.

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