Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is a big milestone during the tax season, but it is not the finish line. Many taxpayers believe that once they click the ‘Submit’ button, the job is done. In reality, there is one more important step that cannot be ignored, i.e., verifying your return.
If you do not verify your ITR within the prescribed time, the Department can treat your return as if it was never filed. The good news is that verification is quick, completely online in most cases, and can be completed in just a few minutes.
Think of e-verification as your digital signature. It confirms that the return filed on the Income Tax e-filing portal genuinely belongs to you and that you have authorised its submission.
Once you file your return, you must verify it within 30 days. Missing this deadline can create unnecessary complications, as the department may consider your return invalid.
Although taxpayers who miss the deadline can file a condonation of delay request explaining the reason for the delay, the verification becomes valid only if the Income Tax Department accepts the request. That is why it is always better to complete the verification immediately after filing your return.
The Income Tax Department allows taxpayers to verify their returns through several digital methods, making the process convenient for different types of users.
One of the easiest options is Aadhaar OTP, where an OTP is sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar.
You can also verify your return through net banking by logging into your bank account and accessing the Income Tax e-filing portal from there.
Another option is using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) generated through a pre-validated bank account. Similarly, taxpayers with a pre-validated demat account can generate an EVC for verification.
Those who use a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), such as professionals and businesses, can verify their returns using the emSigner utility and their DSC token.
A less commonly used option is generating an EVC at the ATM of a participating bank and then entering that code on the e-filing portal.
Before starting the verification process, make sure you have the required details based on the method you plan to use.
If you are choosing Aadhaar OTP, your PAN should be linked with your Aadhaar, and your Aadhaar-linked mobile number should be active.
You should also have your Income Tax e-filing login details ready. If you are verifying without logging into the portal, keep your ITR acknowledgement number handy.
Those using bank account or demat account EVC must ensure that their account has already been pre-validated and is enabled for EVC generation.
Taxpayers opting for net banking should have access to their online banking account, while DSC users should have a valid Digital Signature Certificate along with the emSigner utility installed on their computer.
For most individual taxpayers, Aadhaar OTP is the fastest and simplest verification method.
After filing your return, log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal and choose the ‘e-Verify Return’ option. Select Aadhaar OTP, confirm your Aadhaar details and request an OTP.
Once you receive the six-digit OTP on your registered mobile number, enter it on the portal and click ‘Validate’. After successful verification, the portal displays a confirmation message along with a Transaction ID. A confirmation is also sent to your registered email address and mobile number.
If you prefer net banking, simply select that option on the portal, choose your bank, log in using your internet banking credentials and access the Income Tax e-filing portal through your bank. You can then locate your pending return and verify it.
For bank account EVC, generate an Electronic Verification Code using your pre-validated bank account. Enter the code received on your registered mobile number or email and complete the verification.
The process for a demat account EVC is almost identical. Generate the EVC through your pre-validated demat account, enter the code received and submit it on the portal.
Taxpayers using a Digital Signature Certificate need to select the DSC option, connect their DSC token, open the emSigner utility, choose the correct certificate, enter the password and digitally sign the return.
If you wish to use the ATM method, visit the ATM of a participating bank, generate an EVC using your debit card, and then enter that code on the Income Tax e-filing portal to complete the verification.
Simply put, filing your tax return is only half the process. Until you verify it, your ITR remains incomplete in the eyes of the Income Tax Department. Since the process usually takes only a few minutes, completing it immediately after filing your return can help you avoid unnecessary delays, notices and the risk of your return being treated as not filed at all.