How to E-Verify Your Income Tax Return

After filing your income tax return, the next step is to verify it. The income tax department processes your return only if it is verified. Hence, you will receive refunds only if the return is submitted and verified.

After successfully e-verifying your ITR, you don’t have to send the physical ITR-V. However, if you do not want to e-verify, you will need to send the physical ITR-V.

There are various methods in which you can e-verify your ITR. You can select any of the modes mentioned below and e-verify your return:

• Generate Aadhaar OTP
• Existing Aadhaar OTP
• Existing EVC
• Generate EVC through bank account
• Generate EVC through Demat account
• Generate EVC through bank ATM option (offline)

Steps to E-Verify Your Tax Return 

So let us see how to e-verify using these methods after logging in to your e-filing account. 

• Firstly, log in to your e-filing account at www.incometax.gov.in.  Under the e-file tab select Income Tax Returns > e-Verify Return.

• In the ‘e-Verify Return’ page, select the method of e-verification.

Method-1: e-Verification Through Aadhaar OTP

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. Let us now see the steps for e-verification.

• Under the e-verify return page, select ‘I would like to e-verify using OTP on a mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

• A pop-up will appear on your screen. You will be required to select the tick box saying ‘I agree to validate my Aadhaar details’ and click on the ‘Generate Aadhaar OTP’ button.

An SMS with the 6-digit OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

• Enter the OTP received in the box where it is required and click on the ‘Submit’ button. On successful submission, your ITR will be verified. OTP is valid only for 15 minutes.

Most of the taxpayers apply the Aadhaar OTP method for e-verification.

Method -2: e-Verification Through Aadhaar OTP Already Available

• If you already have Aadhaar OTP available with you, you can select option ‘I already have an OTP on Mobile number registered with Aadhaar’.

• Enter the OTP below and click on the ‘Continue’ button. If the OTP is successfully verified, this will complete the e-verification process.

e-Verification Through Electronic Verification Code (EVC)

Another way to e-verify your account is by generating EVC through:

• Net banking,
• Bank account, or
• Demat account

Method-3: e-Verification through net banking

If you want to e-verify through a net banking facility, you need to have a net banking facility of your bank account.

• On the ‘e-Verify’ page, you can select ‘Through Net Banking’ and click on the ‘Continue’ button. 

• In the next step, you can select the bank through which you want to verify your ITR and click on the ‘Continue’ button. 

• Read the disclaimer and click on the ‘Continue’ button.

• Next, it will redirect you to log in to Net Banking of your bank account. Click the link related to log in to e-filing account from your bank’s net banking website.

• You will be again redirected to the e-filing portal. Go to the respective ITR form and click on ‘e-verify’, and your tax return will be e-verified successfully.

Method-4: e-Verification Through Bank Account

• You must have a prevalidated bank account to verify through a bank account and generate EVC. Pre-validation of a bank account is a must for receiving an income tax refund.

• To know how to prevalidate your bank account, click on the link- https://cleartax.in/s/pre-validate-bank-account-receive-income-tax-refund.

• EVC will be generated through this method and sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with your prevalidated and EVC-enabled bank account.

• Enter the EVC received and click on the ‘e-verify’ button.

Method-5: e-Verification through Demat account

• Verifying ITR via 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.  Enter EVC and click on the ‘e-Verify’ button.

Method-6: e-Verification Through Bank ATM

There is another offline method of generating EVC. It is through bank ATM cards. This facility is available only via limited banks such as Canara Bank, Axis Bank, Central Bank of India, SBI, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. All you will require is to visit your bank’s ATM and swipe your ATM card. 

• Enter your ATM PIN and select ‘Generate EVC’ for income tax return 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)’ under the e-verify page. Enter the EVC code and click on e-verify.

You can use the above methods for ITR verification if your books of accounts are not audited. 

Method-7: e-Verification using Digital Signature Certificate

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)’. 

• On the Verify with Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), select ‘Click here to download emsigner utility’.

• After you download and instal the emsigner utility, come to the e-filing page again, select the option ‘I have downloaded and installed emsigner utility’ on verify with Digital Signature page, and click on the ‘Continue’ button.

• In the next screen ,select ‘provider’,  ‘certificate’, and enter the password. Next, click on the ‘Sign’ button.

You will receive a message on your email ID and mobile number registered on the e-filing portal confirming the completion of e-verification.

Note:

You can e-verify without login into your bank e-filing account. To e-verify without login to an e-filing account, visit our page at https://cleartax.in/s/e-verify-itr-without-login.

Know the Steps for sending the physical ITR-V.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it mandatory to verify ITR?

Uploading ITR alone does not complete the return filing process. Verification of return is important to complete the process of return filing.

How can I verify my return?

You can verify your return electronically. An online e-verification can be done using an Aadhaar OTP or using EVC generated through net banking or bank account or Demat account. If you cannot e-verify your return, you can download the return filing acknowledgement, i.e. ITR-V, print, sign, and send the same to the CPC, Bangalore, to process your return.

Further, suppose you are filing a return manually (if you are not bound to file your return online). In that case, you may sign your return of income for verifying it and submit the same in the office of your jurisdictional income.

What is the capacity column in the verification tab of the income tax return?

A return can be verified and signed by the individual himself or any person authorised under Section 140(a). Following are the cases where a person other than the individual can sign: 

a. Where the individual is not in India– any person he authorises to sign on his behalf 

b. If he is mentally incapacitated– his guardian or any other person competent to act on his behalf 

c. For any other reason– if the individual is unable to sign, any person whom he authorises to sign on his behalf

When does the employer deduct TDS and does not issue a certificate?

Any person responsible for paying a salary must deduct TDS before making payment. The Income Tax Act states that a person deducting TDS from a payment must furnish a certificate with details of TDS deducted and deposited. The employer deducting TDS from salary is compulsorily required to furnish a certificate (Form 16) in a specific format.

Are there any benefits of e-verification of returns filed online?

e-Verification with an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) or an Aadhaar OTP, as the case may be, is beneficial in as much as you can do away with signing and sending a hard copy of the return filing acknowledgement. Further, e-verification also helps quick processing of your return when compared to the other modes of verification.

How can one generate an Aadhaar OTP to e-verify return?

After filing ITR, it can be e-verified using an Aadhaar OTP. To e-verify through Aadhaar, you must link your Aadhaar with your PAN and registered mobile number. After doing so, follow the below steps to e-verify: 

• Click on the ‘e-File’ menu and select ‘e-Verify Return’.
• Click on the e-verify link and select Option 3 – ”I would like to e-verify using OTP on a mobile number registered with Aadhaar’.
• You will get an OTP on your registered mobile number.
• Enter the OTP and click on the ‘Validate’ button

I have e-filed my return. I have printed my ITR-V, signed it, and sent it to CPC. However, I have received a notice from CPC that they have not received ITR-V yet. Also, 120 days from when I filed my return has also lapsed. What should I do?

You may resend your ITR-V once again to CPC. You will not be treated as a taxpayer not having filed his return as long as you can show sufficient proof of having sent the ITR V to CPC for the first time.

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