Step-by-Step Guide for E-Verifying Your Income Tax Return

Income tax is a tax imposed by governments on income made by enterprises and persons within their authority. It is critical to verify Income Tax Returns (ITR) after they have been successfully filed. Your tax filing will be regarded as invalid if you fail to verify income tax returns within 120 days. E-verification is currently the most effective method of ITR verification.         

What is the procedure for E-verifying a tax return?

The income tax returns (ITR) can now be verified online without visiting the income tax department, thanks to digitalisation. ITR e-verification is not only simple but also helps you save time. You may check your ITR using several different methods. The most modern technique of verification is online, while there are also physical options available offline.

There are 6 ways to verify the tax return, including five E-verify options and one physical/manual method. These are only applicable if you’re filing income tax returns that are not subject to audit. 

If you're filing income tax returns that require auditing, you'll need to use a 'Digital Signature Certificate' to verify them.' The Income Tax Department does not begin processing your ITR until it has been verified. When submitting tax returns for e-verification, the Electronic Verification Code is essential.

How to E Verify Your Income Tax Return?

Here are six ways to generate an Electronic Verification Code (EVC)  to verify the ITR 

Aadhaar OTP: 

1. You must make sure your mobile number is linked with your Aadhaar card to verify the ITR using the Aadhaar card one-time password (OTP). Your PAN must also be connected to Aadhaar and registered in the (UIDAI) Unique Identification Authority of India registry.
2. Go to the e-filing website to get started.
3. Connect your Aadhaar number to your PAN number (if not linked)
4. Click on the screen once the Aadhaar has been successfully linked.
5. Then select the option - e-Verify with Aadhaar OTP.
6. The  OTP will be sent to the mobile number associated with your Aadhaar Card.
7. To e-verify your ITR, input the OTP received. Please keep in mind that the OTP is only good for 10 minutes.
8. Following successful e-verification, you can download the attachment for your reference.

Net-banking: 

If you use Net banking to access your bank account, you can verify your ITR. It's essential to keep in mind that only a few banks have the facility to e-verify  ITR. Also,  ensure you aren't already signed in to the e-filing portal before accessing your bank account. In addition, the bank must have your PAN on file.

To use the Net Banking function to verify ITR:

1. Go to the bank's website and log in to your account by entering your ID and password.
2. Choose income tax e-verify, which is usually found under the 'Tax' menu. You will be forwarded to the income tax department's e-filing webpage.
3. Select the 'Generate EVC' option from the 'My Account' tab. Your email and mobile number will receive a 10-digit alpha-numeric code.
4. This code is valid for 72 hours. To e verify ITR, go to the 'E-Verify' option under the 'My Account' tab. Choose the 'I already have EVC' option.
5. Enter the one-time password (OTP) sent to your bank-registered mobile number. Your ITR will be verified once you click 'Submit.'

Bank account: 

You can e-verify ITR using your bank account, according to the Income Tax Department. This service is also offered to some banks. You need to pre-validate your account to verify your ITR.

1. Pre-validate your bank account by going to the profile settings of your e-filing account. Fill up the blanks with your bank's name, account number, and IFSC code.
2. Input your mobile phone number as it appears in the bank's records.
3. Only if your PAN and name match the bank account data will the pre-validation process be successful.
4. Select the 'Generate EVC' button under the 'My Account' section once the bank account has been pre-validated.
5. A code will be generated and sent to your registered mobile number.
6. Enter the code by selecting income tax 'e-verify' in the 'My Account' tab.

Please note that no changes to the mobile number or email address will be permitted without revalidating the bank. If you want to update the information in your bank records, you must go to your local branch.

Demat account: 

1. You can use your Demat account to verify ITR if you have one. This procedure is similar to ITR validation using a bank account. For verification, you will be forwarded to the Income Tax Department’s website or you can do it via your bank’s website as well. 
2. You need to pre-validate your Demat account.
3. Go to profile settings and fill in the required information, like phone number, email address, and the name of your depositories, such as NSDL or CDSL.
4. You must provide your Demat account's mobile number and email address.
5. The pre-validation procedure is fully automated and takes roughly 1-2 hours on average.
6. If any error is found, you will be notified by email.
7. You can utilise a Demat account to generate EVC once your depository has verified the details.
8. Select 'Generate EVC through Demat Account Number' from the 'Generate EVC' menu.
9. To securely do e-verification of your ITR, input the EVC that you received on your registered mobile phone.

The same rule applies here too, without revalidating the bank, no changes to the mobile number or email address will be permitted. If you want to update the information in your bank records, you must go to your local branch.

Also Read: How To File ITR (Income Tax Returns) Online – Income Tax E-filing Guide For FY 2020-21

ATM Bank:  

1. The Income Tax Department allows you to generate a code at certain bank ATMs.
2. Visit the nearest bank's ATM and swipe your ATM card to generate EVC.
3. Select the 'Pin for Income Tax Filing' option.
4. Your registered mobile number will receive an EVC, which is valid for 72hours only.
5. Go to the Income Tax Department’s website and log in to your e-filing account.
6. Select 'e-verify returns' from the drop-down menu.
7. To verify the ITR, choose the option 'Already generated EVC by bank ATM.'
8. Your tax return will be confirmed after you enter the EVC.

Manual Method of Verifying ITR

Acknowledgement receipt: 

If you are not comfortable with the internet and electronic methods of confirming your ITR, you can transmit a signed copy of ITR-V (Acknowledgement receipt) to the Income Tax Department. Check the points below if you want to verify your taxes manually.

1. The ITR-V is a one-page document that requires blue ink signatures
2. ITR-V cannot be couriered, and it must be sent either by regular mail or by express mail.
3. For expedited delivery, send it to the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) in Bangalore through speed post.
4. Any supporting documents are not required to be sent with the ITR-V.
5. Once the tax agency receives your ITR, you will be notified through SMS on your cell phone and email address.

The intimation for receiving the ITR-V is separate from the intimation for processing the tax return. You are not obliged to send ITR-V to the IT department if you have confirmed your ITR using any of the electronic techniques.

A Guide to E-verify Tax Returns

• Use your credentials to log in to incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.

• To see e-filed tax returns, go to the ‘View Returns/Forms' option.

• Choose the option ‘Click here to examine your pending e-verification ITR.'

• Choose the ‘e-verify' option.

• Once you select e-verify, you'll get a choice of options for generating an EVC.

• Enter the EVC and submit it after generating it in the appropriate mode.

• The transaction ID and EVC code will be shown in a message. To download the file for your records, click the green pop-up button.

What are the benefits of ITR verification?

The following are some of the reasons why you should verify your ITR.

• Even if you file on time, your return will not be valid unless you verify your ITR.
• Only once you have verified your ITR will it be processed.
• If you do not verify the ITR, you will not get an income tax refund. As a result, if you delay the verification process, the refund procedure will be delayed.
• Furthermore, if you do not validate your ITR within 120 days after filing, you will be required to file a late return, which will be subject to late-filing penalties.

Also Read: Income Tax Rebate Under Section 87A

Conclusion

ITR verification is a crucial stage in the ITR filing process that must be completed within 120 days of the ITR filing date. As previously mentioned, there are some handy options to e-verify ITR. We hope that this article has helped you decide which kind of e-verification is best for you.