Secure E- filing Accounts through e–Filing Vault

Many online fraud cases have been reported in recent times. If you are one of those who use e-filing option, it is important for you to protect your e-filing account against such online frauds and malicious attacks. The income tax department has come up with a solution called ‘e-filing Vault’.

What is an ‘e-filing Vault’?

An e-filing Vault is a dual-factor login authentication feature. The usual procedure to log in is through the e-filing portal by entering the User ID (PAN) and password. However, any third-party who knows your User ID (PAN) and password can log into your account and access your information. The e-filing vault is a layer of protection provided to your account which makes it necessary for an additional check over the normal login process.

Steps to Set up the e-filing Vault

Step 1: Log in to the e-filing portal using your User ID and password.

Step 2: Click on the ‘e-filing Vault Higher Security’ in your Profile section.

Step 3: A screen with two options—’Set Higher Security for Login’ and ‘Set Higher Security for Password Reset’ will be displayed as shown in the image below.

Step 4: Select one of the security methods for login and/or password and click on ‘Continue’ upon selecting.

Step 5: Every time you log in, you will be required to perform the additional check as per your selection.

A. If you choose to select ‘Using OTP on Mobile Number registered with Aadhaar’. Select the appropriate option-‘I already have an OTP in mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

Click on the check box ‘I agree to validate my Aadhaar details’ and select the button ‘ Generate Aadhaar OTP’.

Validate your Aadhaar by entering the 6-digit OTP received on the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

B. If you select option- Through Bank Account EVC / Demat Account EVC / DSC / Through Net Banking. The chosen option will be applied to your e-filing account.  

What are the Prerequisites to Activate the e-Filing Vault?

There are some prerequisites to activate the e-Filing Vault based on the option you choose to secure your account with. Consider that you have chosen ‘ the first security method ‘Login through Net Banking’.

• When you log in for the first time after selecting the e-filing vault security method, you will be redirected to the ‘e-Filing Login through Net Banking’ page.
• You must select the bank name and log in to your net banking account.
• Click on the link that states ‘Login to the IT e-Filing Account’.
• Now, you will be redirected to the e-filing Dashboard. The same procedure applies to any security method you choose.

How to Disable the Dual-factor Authentication Feature?

If you don’t want to have the dual-factor authentication feature anymore, you can disable it at any time. Here is the procedure for the same: 

Step 1: Log in to your account on the e-filing portal. 

Step 2: Click on the ‘e-Filing Vault – Higher Security’ option under the ‘Profile Settings’ tab.

Step 3: Deselect the security method you had chosen previously.

Step 4: Click on the ‘Proceed’ button and click on ‘Disable’. For example, if your security method was ‘Login using Aadhaar OTP’, the below prompt will appear for confirmation.

How to Reset the Password?

If you have forgotten the password to log in to your e-filing account, you can follow the below steps and reset the password.

Step 1: Click on the ‘Forgot Password’ option on the login page.

Step 2: Enter your User ID and click on the ‘Continue’ button.
For user ID- Individual taxpayers can enter PAN or Aadhaar (only if PAN and Aadhaar are linked). And for any other taxpayers, the user ID is PAN.

Step 3: Once you enter your user ID and proceed, button and enter the login page, click on the “Forgot Password” button. It will lead you to the page below.

Step 4: Fill in the User ID and click on the ‘Continue’ button. 

Step 5: Once you provide your User ID, you will be directed to “Reset Password” dashboard where you can select any one option from the list and provide mandatory details. The options are:

a) OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar
b) Upload Digital Signature Certificate 
c) Use e-filing OTP

Select any one suitable option and click on the ‘Continue’ button.

Option 1: The taxpayer can select the option’ taxpayer has to select option’ OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar’ and follow the below steps:

•  In the next screen, select ‘Generate OTP’ and click on the ‘Continue’ button. If you already have an OTP, select ‘I already have an OTP on Mobile number registered with Aadhaar’ and enter OTP.
• In the ‘Verify Your Identity’ step, select the declaration checkbox and click on the ‘Generate Aadhaar OTP’.
• In the next step, enter the six-digit OTP received on your mobile number registered with Aadhaar and click on the ‘Verify’ button.
• In the next step, enter a new password in the ‘Set New Password’ and ‘Confirm Password’ textboxes. And click on the ‘Submit’ button.
• Password will be reset successfully.

Option 2: The taxpayer can use his unique registered digital signature certificate(DSC) and log in to his e-filing account. The below steps will help you to reset your password with your DSC.

• Select option ‘Upload Digital Signature Certificate’ and click on the ‘Continue’ button.
• In the next screen, select the option ‘New DSC’ or ‘Registered DSC’, whichever is relevant. Click on the ‘Continue’ button.
• In the next step, download the emsigner utility. Complete the installation and click on the ‘Continue’ button.
• Select the provider, certificate and the provider password and click on the ‘Sign’ button.
• In the next step, enter a new password in the ‘Set New Password’ and ‘Confirm Password’ textboxes. And click on the ‘Submit’ button.
• Password will be reset successfully.

Option 3: The taxpayer can use OTP (One time password) sent to the registered mobile number and email ID and change the password. The below steps will help you to reset the password by this option.

• Select the option ‘Use e-filing OTP’ and click on the ‘Continue’ button.
• In the next screen, enter the date of birth in the given format. And click on the ‘Continue’ button.
• You will receive OTP on your mobile number and email ID registered on the e-filing portal. Enter both the OTP’s and click on the ‘Verify’ button.
• In the next step, enter a new password in the ‘Set New Password’ and ‘Confirm Password’ textboxes. And click on the ‘Submit’ button.
• Password will be reset successfully.