Section 426
Section 426: interest on excess refund
Section 426 is the flip side of refund interest: if a refund granted on the basis of Section 270(1) later turns out to have been too much - because no refund was actually due on regular assessment, or the refund exceeded what regular assessment shows was due - the assessee must pay interest on the excess.
When interest on excess refund applies - Section 426(1)
"Subject to the other provisions of this Act, where any refund is granted to the assessee under section 270(1), and-- (a) no refund is due on regular assessment; or (b) the amount refunded under section 270(1) exceeds the amount refundable on regular assessment, the assessee shall be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of 0.5% on the whole or the excess amount so refunded, for every month or part of a month comprised in the period from the date of grant of refund to the date of such regular assessment."
Adjustment where the refund is later held to be correct
Where, as a result of an order under Section 287, 288, 359, 363, 365(10), 368, 377 or 378, the refund granted under Section 270(1) is held to have been correctly allowed, wholly or partly, the interest chargeable under Section 426(1) is reduced accordingly.
Where, for a tax year, an assessment is made for the first time under Section 279, that assessment is regarded as a regular assessment for the purposes of this section.
Frequently asked questions
What interest rate applies to an excess refund under Section 426?
Simple interest at 0.5% for every month or part of a month, on the whole or excess refunded amount, for the period from the date the refund was granted to the date of the regular assessment.
When does interest on excess refund apply?
When a refund granted under Section 270(1) turns out to be wrong on regular assessment - either because no refund was actually due, or because the amount refunded exceeded the amount properly refundable on regular assessment.
Can this interest be reduced later?
Yes - if a later appellate or other specified order holds that the Section 270(1) refund was correctly allowed, wholly or in part, the interest chargeable under Section 426(1) is reduced accordingly.
Related sections
Want this applied to your actual filing, not just explained?
Understand interest owed on an excess income tax refundLast updated 9 September 2026