Taxation & Compliance
Posted on Feb 19, 2025
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Ever sent a bank transfer to someone just to be told that they haven’t received the payment. You spend the rest of the day checking with the person whether they received the money.
That's where your UTR number comes in. It's a digital fingerprint for your financial transaction, that helps you track payments, deal with delays, and prevent unwanted stress.
If you're a freelancer expecting payment from a client, a business owner dealing with bulk payments, or simply an individual making transfers, knowing how to find the UTR number can help you save time
Let's understand what is UTR number and how you can track it.
What Is a UTR Number and Why Is It Important?
A Unique Transaction Reference or UTR number means a special 16-digit (for NEFT) and 22-character (for RTGS) code for each financial transaction in India. It's like a tracking ID for an eCommerce delivery. The only difference is that you track money transfer between bank accounts, not a package.
Why is a UTR number important?
If a payment gets held up, lost, or not accounted for, your bank will request the UTR number to look into and sort it out.
Basically, a UTR number helps record financial transactions, track delayed payments, and raise disputes.
UTR numbers are vital tool for:
Companies making large payments: Instant checking of incoming and outgoing payments.
Professionals and freelancers: Confirming that client payments are processed on time.
Individual users: Monitoring rent payments, family payments, and large purchases.
How to Find Your UTR Number (Step-by-Step Guide for Each Platform)
Your UTR number is simple to find if you know where to find it. Here's where you can check the UTR number for different payment modes.
1. Through Net Banking
If you paid money through your bank's website or mobile app:
Log in to your online banking account.
Go to Transaction History or Payments Made.
Click on the payment in question, and you'll see the UTR number under payment details.
2. UTR Number in UPI Transactions (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm)
If you paid through UPI apps, the UTR number is generally indicated as Transaction ID or Reference Number.
Launch the payment app you used (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.).
Go to ‘Transaction History’ and click on the payment you're looking to trace.
The UTR number will be shown in the details.
3. Verifying Your Bank Statement
For older transactions, you can download your bank statement.
Log into your bank website or app.
Download your statement for the required period.
The UTR number will be mentioned against each transaction.
Can’t Find Your UTR Number on the Payment app? Here's What to Do
Here are some other ways to find the UTR number:
Check your email or SMS notifications: Banks will typically send details of the transaction, including the UTR number, by email or message.
Check your mobile banking app: If the transaction was done online, it's listed in your transaction history.
Call your bank's customer service: Give the date of transaction, amount, and recipient's details to retrieve your UTR number.
Most major banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Kotak have special helplines to answer UTR-related queries.
UTR Number vs. Transaction ID – What's the Difference?
Most individuals get a UTR number confused with a Transaction ID from UPI apps such as Paytm and Google Pay. Although both assist in monitoring payments, they are used for different purposes:
For businesses and freelancers, UTR numbers are vital for reconciling payments—particularly for large or international transactions.
For example, in the following image, the UPI transaction ID is the UTR number and the Google transaction ID is given separately.
Why UTR Numbers Are Important for Freelancers and Businesses
If you're a freelancer dealing with overseas clients or a business owner processing large sums, monitoring money flow is imperative. A UTR number assists in:
Simplified dispute resolution – In case a client informs you that they paid but you don't see it, the UTR number verifies the payment.
Prevention of payment delays – Banks are able to trace funds in real-time using this code.
Verifying accurate accounting – Companies can correlate UTR numbers with invoices for bookkeeping purposes.
Read More: US to India Money Transfer: How to Receive Global Payments
Final Thoughts
The next time you make a money transfer and it doesn't show up right away, don't freak out. Simply grab the UTR number and trace it like an expert.
You're a freelancer expecting payment, a company with bulk transactions, or simply remitting money to relatives? Learning how to use your UTR number is a time and stress-saver.
Need smooth global payments? Infinity's multi-currency business account facilitates transactions without any hassles.
Sign up with Infinity today to receive international payments seamlessly!
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UTR Numbers
1. Do I use my UTR number to track a payment?
Yes, you may use your bank's tracking service or contact the customer support in order to ensure the status of the payment.
2. When does an NEFT/RTGS payment become effective?
NEFT: Within 30 minutes to 2 hours (business hours).
RTGS: Real-time (in case of large transactions).
3. Can UTR numbers be utilised for international payments?
No, international payments utilise SWIFT codes rather than UTR numbers.
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