ITR Filing: Do you know you need to e-verify your filed income tax return (ITR) within 30 days of filing? If this is not done all your efforts and energy you invested in filing it will be a waste and you might not even get your income tax refund.
Verification of the ITR is a mandatory requirement for processing of the filed ITR. The filed ITR will not even be considered for processing by the tax department unless you verify it using the prescribed methods.
If you fail to verify your return, remember that you will face all the consequences of not filing an ITR. The last date to file your ITR for Assessment Year 24-25 is July 31, 2024.
According to the income tax department, taxpayers need to verify their Income Tax Returns to complete the return filing process. Without verification within the stipulated time, an ITR is treated as invalid. e-Verification is the most convenient and instant way to verify your ITR.
Individuals can also e-verify other requests/responses/services to complete the respective processes successfully, including verification of:
- Income Tax Forms (via online portal / offline utility)
- e-Proceedings
- Refund Reissue Requests
- Rectification Requests
- Condonation of Delay in filing ITR after due Date
- Service Requests (submitted by ERIs)
- Uploading ITR in bulk (by ERIs)
Also Read: ITR Filing Latest Update: Step-By-Step Guide On How To Download Form 16
Prerequisites for various online ITR verification options:
The prerequisites for various online ITR verification options:
- OTP on registered number with Aadhaar: Your PAN should be linked with Aadhaar for e-verifying your return.
- Bank Account EVC or Demat Account EVC
- ATM EVC: Your PAN should be linked with the respective bank account and registered on the ITR e-filing portal. According to the income tax website, the list of banks’ ATMs through which you can create EVC is- SBI, Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
- Net Banking: Your PAN should be linked with your bank account and the net banking account must be enabled as the preferred bank account.
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): You must have a valid and active DSC and ‘Emsigner’ utility installed on your PC. You need to plug in the DSC USB token into your computer.
Also Read: ITR Filing: Know What All Deductions You Can Claim To Reduce Your Tax Outgo
Different ways to e-verify your income tax return online:
Different ways to e-verify your returns online include:
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar
- Net Banking
- EVC through ATM
- EVC generated through your pre-validated bank account
- EVC generated through your pre-validated demat account.
E-verification on Income Tax Portal:
Follow the below-listed steps to e-verify your ITR on the Income Tax e-Filing portal. : For e-verification of your ITR through Aadhaar, you must have your mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. You should also ensure that your PAN is linked with your Aadhaar number.
1. E-Verify using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC):
Step 1: On the e-Verify page, select “I would like to e-Verify using DSC”
Step 2: On the Verify Your Identity page, select Click here to download emSigner utility.
Step 3: After the download and installation of emSigner utility is complete, select “I have downloaded and installed emsigner utility” on the Verify Your Identity page and click Continue.
Step 4: On the Data Sign page, select your Provider, Certificate and enter the Provider Password. Click Sign.
Note: You won’t be able to e-Verify your ITR via Digital Signature Certificate if you select the e-Verify Later option while submitting your ITR. You can use DSC as an e-Verification option if you opt to e-Verify your ITR immediately after filing.
A success message page along with a Transaction ID will be displayed. Carefully save your Transaction ID for future reference. A confirmation message will be sent to your email ID and mobile number registered on the e-filing portal.
2. E-Verify after Generating Aadhaar OTP:
Step 1: On the e-Verify page, select I would like to verify using OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar and click Continue.
Step 2: On the Aadhaar OTP page, select the “I agree to validate my Aadhaar Details” checkbox and click “Generate Aadhaar OTP”.
Step 3: Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your mobile number registered with Aadhaar and click Validate.
A success message will be displayed along with a Transaction ID. You will also receive a confirmation message on your email ID and registered mobile number.
3. E-Verify using existing Aadhaar OTP
Step 1: On the e-Verify page, select I already have an OTP on the Mobile number registered with Aadhaar.
Step 2: Enter the 6-digit OTP available with you and click Continue.
A success message page will be displayed along with a Transaction ID.
4. E-Verify using Net Banking:
- Step 1: On the e-Verify page, select Through Net Banking & click Continue.
- Step 2: Select the bank through which you want to e-Verify and click Continue.
- Step 3: Read and understand the disclaimer.
- Step 4- Click Continue.
- Step 5: Log in to your Net Banking using your Net Banking user ID and password.
- Step 6: Click the link to log in to e-filing from your bank’s website.
- Step 7:On successful login, you will be taken to the e-Filing Dashboard. Go to the respective ITR / Form/service and click e-Verify Your ITR / Form / Service will be e-Verified successfully.
5. E-Verification Through Bank ATM:
There is another offline method of generating EVC. It is through bank ATM cards. This facility is available only for limited banks such as Canara Bank, Axis Bank, Central Bank of India, SBI, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. All you will need to do is visit your bank’s ATM and swipe your ATM card.
- Enter your ATM PIN and select ‘Generate EVC for income tax filing’.
- An EVC will be sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with the e-filing portal. It is important to note that your PAN must be registered with the bank.
- Next, log in to your account and select ‘I already have an Electronic Verification Code (EVC)’. Now, enter the EVC code and click on e-verify.
6. Generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC) through Bank ATM (Offline Method)
- Step 1: Visit your bank’s ATM and swipe your ATM card.
- Step 2: Enter PIN.
- Step 3: Select Generate EVC for Income tax Filing. An EVC will be sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with the e-Filing portal.
- Step 4: The generated EVC can be used to e-verify the return by selecting “I already have an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) as a preferred choice of e-verification”.
How to e-verify your ITR by logging into the e-filing ITR portal?
- Step 1- Login to the ITR portal and navigate to ‘e-File’ option.
- Step 2– Click on ‘Income Tax Returns’ and navigate to ‘e-Verify Returns’ option.
- Step 3- Select the ITR to be e-verified and then select the verification method.
- Step 4- Once you select the verification method, click on ‘Continue’.
Once you have verified your filed ITR, a success message page will be displayed along with a Transaction ID.
How to e-verify your ITR without logging into the e-filing ITR portal:
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to verify your ITR without logging into the ITR portal:
- Step 1: Visit the e-filing ITR portal, and click on the ‘e-Verify Return‘ button under quick links.
- Step 2: On the ‘e-Verify Return’ page, enter your PAN, enter the assessment year, submit the Acknowledgement number of the ITR filed and mobile number, and click ‘Continue’.
- Step 3: A new web page will open, and you must validate it using the OTP received on your mobile number.
- Step 4- Once you have done this, click on ‘Submit.’ A new web page will then open, select the verification method.
Note* Click Here for All Income Tax Resources
Can I e-verify my ITR without logging into the e-filing account?
Yes, if you want to verify your ITR offline, download the ITR acknowledgment and send the physical ITR receipt to the CPC. How do you know if your e-verification is complete?
In case you are e-verifying your return:
- A success message will be displayed along with a Transaction ID.
- An email will be sent to your email ID registered with the e-filing portal.
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- How to File ITR Without Form 16 For FY 2023-24?
- How To File ITR-2 Online For FY 2023-24
- What is the due date of TDS Return For FY24-25
- How to login on GST Portal online in India
FAQs:
Q.1 Can you e-verify your return using Aadhaar OTP even if your mobile number is not updated with Aadhaar?
No. Taxpayers must update their mobile number with Aadhaar to e-verify their return using Aadhaar OTP.
Q.2 Can you e-verify your return with an inactive demat account/bank account?
No. You must have an active demat account/bank account which needs to be pre-validated and EVC-enabled on the e-Filing portal to e-Verify your return using your demat account/bank account.
