To complete the return filing process, it is mandatory to verify your Income Tax Return (ITR). If you fail to verify it on time, your ITR will be considered invalid, meaning it is as good as you have not filed your return.
Latest Updates:
The CBDT has reduced the time limit of ITR verification to 30 days (from 120 days) from the date of return submission. The new rule is applicable for the returns filed online on or after 1st August 2022.
E-verification is the most convenient and instant method for verifying your ITR. However, if you prefer not to e-verify, you have the option to verify it by sending a physical copy of the ITR-V.
Steps to e-Verify Your Tax Return
There are several methods available for e-verifying your ITR:
- e-Verify through Cleartax
- Generate Aadhaar OTP
- Existing Aadhaar OTP
- Existing EVC
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- Generate EVC through a bank account
- Generate EVC through the Net Banking
- Generate EVC through DEMAT account
- Generate EVC through bank ATM option (offline)
Method 1: e-Verify through Cleartax
Step 1: After submitting your return, you can click on the 'E-verify Now' and complete the verification instantly. However, if you missed e-verifying at the time of return filing, please refer to the next step.
Step 1.1: Log in to your account on Cleartax and navigate to ‘My Tax Returns’ option.
Step 2:You have two options for completing the e-verification: either through OTP received on your Aadhaar registered mobile number or through the Bank EVC. Just select your preferred option and enter the OTP or the Bank EVC on the next screen.
Step 2.2: Your return will be e-verified and you will see a success message with an acknowledgement number. You will also receive an email confirmation from the Income Tax Department.
E-verification on Income Tax Portal
Now let us see how to e-verify your ITR on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Method 2: e-Verification Through Aadhaar OTP
- Log in to your Income Tax e-filing account. Under the ‘e-file’ tab > select ‘Income Tax Returns’ > then ‘e-Verify Return’.
- If you do not have Aadhaar OTP available with you: Select the option ‘I would like to verify using OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar'.
- If you already have the Aadhaar OTP with you: Refer to ‘method 3’
Note: For e-verification of your ITR through Aadhaar, ensure that your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar. Also, ensure that your PAN is linked with your Aadhaar number.
You will see a pop-up window on your screen. Tick the checkbox stating 'I agree to validate my Aadhaar details' and then click on 'Generate Aadhaar OTP'.
You will see a pop-up window on your screen. Tick the checkbox stating 'I agree to validate my Aadhaar details' and then click on 'Generate Aadhaar OTP'.
- Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your registered mobile number and click on the ‘Validate’ button. On successful submission, your ITR will be verified.
Note: OTP will be valid only for 15 minutes.
Method 3: e-Verification Through Aadhaar OTP Already Available
- If you already have Aadhaar OTP available with you: Select ‘I already have an OTP on Mobile number registered with Aadhaar’.
- Enter the OTP and click on the ‘Continue’.
Enter the OTP and click on the ‘Continue’.
Method 4: e-Verification Through Existing EVC
- If you already have an EVC code, select ‘I already have an Electronic Verification Code (EVC)’.
- Enter the EVC and click on ‘Continue’.
Method 5: e-Verification Using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
However, if your books of accounts are audited, the return must be e-verified using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
- On the e-verify page, select the option ‘I would like to e-Verify using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)’.
- Now download and install the 'emsigner utility’.
- After you download and install the emsigner utility, select the option ‘I have downloaded and installed emsigner utility’ and ‘Continue’.
- Add the 'provider', 'certificate', and 'provider password' on the Data Sign page. Then, simply click on the 'Sign' button.
After completing the process, you will see a success message and a Transaction ID. Make sure to record the Transaction ID for future use. Additionally, a confirmation message will be sent to the email address and mobile number registered with the e-Filing portal.
Method 6: e-Verification Through Net Banking
If you want to e-verify using the net banking facility, you need to have an active net banking facility on your bank account.
- Select ‘Through Net Banking’ option and click on ‘Continue’.
- Choose your bank and click on 'Continue’.
- Review and acknowledge the disclaimer and ‘Continue’.
- You will be redirected to the login page of your bank's net banking portal.
- Enter your net banking credentials
- You will have an 'e-verify your return' option. Select that.
- You will again be redirected to the e-filing portal.
- Go to the respective ITR form and click on ‘e-verify.
Method 7: e-Verification Through Bank Account
- To verify your bank account and generate an Electronic Verification Code (EVC), it is necessary to have a bank account that has been prevalidated. Prevalidation of your bank account is essential in order to receive an income tax refund.
- To know how to prevalidate your bank account, click here
- EVC will be generated and sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with your prevalidated and EVC-enabled bank account.
- On the ‘e-Verify’ page, select ‘Through Bank Account’ and click ‘Continue’.
- Enter the EVC received on your mobile number and email ID registered with your bank account and click on the ‘e-verify’ button.
Enter the EVC received on your mobile number and email ID registered with your bank account and click on the ‘e-verify’ button.
Method 8: e-Verification Through Demat Account
- Verifying ITR through a Demat account is similar to verification via a bank account.
- The only difference is that the EVC will be generated and sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with your prevalidated and EVC-enabled Demat account.
- On the ‘e-Verify’ page, select ‘Through Demat Account’ and click ‘Continue’
- Enter EVC received and click on the ‘e-Verify’ button.
Method 9: 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.
Note:
- If you want to e-verify without login to your e-filing account, please visit this page.
- If you want to verify your ITR offline, download ITR acknowledgment and send the physical ITR receipt to the CPC. Know the steps for sending the physical copy of ITR-V.
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