How Children Can Claim TDS Refund After Parents’ Death: Step-by-Step Guide

Many people believe that a TDS refund is lost once a person passes away. In reality, the refund can still be claimed, legally and smoothly, by the family. The Income Tax Department has laid out a clear process that allows legal heirs to access this money by completing a few formal steps.
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Who Can Claim the Refund?

The refund doesn’t vanish. It can be claimed by the legal heir, often children or close family members, by filing the deceased person’s Income Tax Return (ITR). However, this can only be done after becoming an authorised representative on the tax portal.

Step 1: Register as a Legal Heir

To begin, you must register yourself as a “Representative Assessee” on the income tax e-filing portal. Here’s how it works:
  • Log in to your account on the portal
  • Navigate to “Authorised Partners”
  • Choose “Register as Representative”
  • Select “Deceased (Legal Heir)” as the category
  • Upload required documents and submit
The approval usually takes a few days. Once approved, you gain the authority to act on behalf of the deceased for tax purposes.