Beware Of Income Tax Refund Scams: Govt Warns Taxpayers About Viral Message

PIB Fact Check in a tweet on August 2 alerted about a viral message claiming that the recipient has been approved for an income tax refund of Rs 15,490.

The fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has alerted regarding a message being sent to people claiming to give refunds on income tax return (ITR) refunds. PIB Fact Check in a tweet on August 2 alerted about the viral message, claiming that the recipient has been selected for an income tax refund of Rs 15,490.

”You have been approved an tax refund of Rs 15, 490/- the amount will be credited to your account number 5xxxxx6755. If this is not correct please update your bank account information by visiting the link below,” the message reads.

PIB Fact Check said, "This claim is fake. The income tax department has not sent this message. Beware of such scams and refrain from sharing your personal information."

Notably, the I-T department never provides a link for tax refunds upfront, as the refund is only issued after the proper processing of the Income Tax Return (ITR). As of August 2023, the income tax department has made it mandatory for taxpayers to verify their returns within 30 days of filing. Failure to do so would render the ITR invalid, effectively nullifying the filing.

If the ITR requires further processing or if the tax department needs additional information, they will send an intimation to the taxpayers' registered email addresses.

“Scammers are tricking taxpayers into updating their bank account information through fraudulent links. Be cautious of sharing any sensitive information and always verify the authenticity of messages before taking any action related to your income tax returns,” the PIB Fact check team advised, as per a Business Standard report. 

“If you receive an e-mail or find a website you think is pretending to be of Income Tax Department, forward the e-mail or website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in. A copy may also be forwarded to incident@cert-in.org.in You may forward the message as received or provide the Internet header of the e-mail. The Internet header has additional information to help us locate the sender. After you forward the e-mail or header information to us, delete the message,” the Income tax department advises.

Income Tax Refund

If you have paid more income tax than your actual tax liability, you are eligible for an income tax refund. This situation typically arises when you have paid excess tax through methods like Advance Tax, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), Tax Collected at Source (TCS), or Self-Assessment Tax. To claim your income tax refund, you need to file your Income Tax Return (ITR).

Make sure to provide accurate details of your income, deductions, and taxes paid during the filing process. It is essential to file your ITR online to be eligible for a refund. After you file your ITR, the Income Tax Department will process it and validate the refund claim.

If everything is in order, they will issue the refund amount to you. You can check the status of your income tax refund on the Income Tax Department's e-Filing website. The status will be available approximately ten days after the refund is sent.