Here is how you can e-Verify your Income Tax Returns (ITR):
Did you know that Verifying your ITR is as important as filing your return?
Please be noted that your ITR will not be valid until it is verified. As per the conventional process, you can verify the return either using Digitally Signed Certificate (DSC) or by sending the signed copy of Income Tax Return Verification (ITR-V) to Centralized Processing Centre (CPC), Bangalore office within 120 days of e-Filing your tax returns.
However, the conventional process is very cumbersome and time-consuming as one has to make sure that the mailed copy gets accepted by CPC. If the ITR-V copy gets rejected by CPC, it is deemed that the return in respect of which the ITR-V was filed is never furnished. As a result, the taxpayer needs to file the return electronically once again and send the copy of ITR-V to CPC.
To overcome all such hassles, Income Tax Department introduced e-Verification of returns for electronically filed returns using the Electronic Verification Code (EVC) as an alternative to ITR-V. Taxpayers who are not required to use DSC are eligible for e-Verification. If you e-Verify your ITR using EVC then you need not have to send the copy of ITR-V to CPC, Bangalore.
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What is an EVC?
Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is a ten-digit alphanumeric code used to verify the identity of the person filing the Income Tax Return (referred to as “Verifier”) and can be generated on the Income Tax e-Filing website. Some of the important points about EVC are listed below:
• EVC is unique for a PAN and is not valid for any other PAN.
• Only one return filed by the Assessee can be validated using one EVC, irrespective of the Assessment Year or return filing type (original or revised).
• EVC is stored against the Assessee PAN along with the other verification details.
• EVC is valid for 72 hours.
Modes of e-Verification
You can e-Verify your return at the time of uploading/after uploading the return. In case of an already uploaded return, you can still e-Verify the return through Income Tax e-Filing website. You can e-Verify your ITR through EVC generated using any of the below modes:
• EVC received in Registered Mobile number and e-mail
• Aadhaar OTP
• Login to e-Filing through Net Banking
• EVC-Through Bank Account Number
• EVC-Through Demat Account Number
• EVC-Through Bank ATM
How to e-Verify the return on e-Filing portal?
You need to follow the below steps for verifying the returns online:
1. Login to e-Filing portal
2. Upload your return by clicking on “e-File” menu and selecting “Upload Return”. Below screen will appear:
3. After the submission of your return, you will be provided with the following four options:
Option 1– I already have an EVC to e-Verify my return
Option 2– I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate EVC to e-Verify my return
Option 3– I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-Verify my return
Option 4– I would like to send ITR-V/ I would like to e-Verify later
Also read: A Guide to handle a notice for Non-Filing of Income Tax Return
Option 1- I already have an EVC to e-Verify my return
• Under this option, you have to enter the pre-generated EVC and click on “Submit” button to e-Verify your return.
• One your return is e-Verified, below screen will appear and no further action is required from your end:
Generate EVC through Bank ATM:
• EVC can be generated using SBI and AXIS bank ATMs.
• You have to visit your bank ATM. Once you swipe your card and enter the ATM PIN, you can select the option to generate “PIN FOR INCOME TAX FILING”.
• EVC shall be sent to your registered Mobile Number and Email Id.
• Once you have received the EVC, you can sign-in to Income Tax e-Filing website and upload your return.
• Further, you can e-Verify your ITR by selecting the “Option 1- I already have an EVC to e-Verify my return”, entering the EVC received through Bank ATM and clicking on “Submit” button.
Option 2 – I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate EVC to e-Verify my return
This option involves two conditions:
1. If your total income is less than Rs. 5 lakhs and there is no refund, you will have the below options to generate the EVC:
• EVC – Through Net Banking
• EVC – Through Bank Account Number
• EVC – To Registered Email Id and Mobile Number
• EVC – Through Demat Account Number
2. If your income is more than Rs. 5 lakhs or if there is a refund, you will have the below options to generate the EVC:
• EVC – Through Net Banking
• EVC – Through Bank Account Number
• EVC – Through Demat Account Number
Generate EVC through Net Banking:
You can generate EVC through Net Banking by following methods:
Method 1: Sign-in to your Net Banking account with your Net Banking user id and password and select the appropriate option for Income Tax e-Filing on your Net Banking account.
I have attached a screenshot of the ICICI Bank Net Banking account for your reference. You have to select the “Payments & Transfer” menu and click on “Tax Centre”. You can find “Tax Centre” at the bottom left of your computer screen, click on “Income Tax e-Filing”. Below page will show up; you have to click on “Submit” button.
You will be re-directed to the Income Tax e-Filing portal. You have to follow the below steps further:
Step 1: Go to “e-File” menu and click on “Generate EVC”.
Step 2: Generated EVC will be sent to your Email Id and Mobile Number registered with e-Filing portal.
Step 3: You can use this EVC to verify your return.
Method 2: Login to your Income Tax e-Filing account, go to “e-File” menu and click on “Generate EVC”, below page will appear on your screen:
Choose “Option 2 – Generate EVC through Net Banking”, click on the “Continue” button and you will have the list of Banks providing the e-Filing login facility. You can click on the link provided for your bank and follow the steps as mentioned in Method 1 to generate EVC and e-Verify your return.
Generate EVC through Bank Account Number:
You have to first login to your Income Tax e-Filing account, go to “e-File” menu, click on “Generate EVC”, and select “Option 3 – Generate EVC through Bank Account Number”. If your Bank Account Number is not prevalidated, click on “Prevalidate your Bank Account” button as appearing on your screen. On prevalidation, success page will appear.
If your Bank Account Number is already prevalidated, below screen will show up:
Click on “YES” to generate EVC. The EVC shall be sent to your registered Mobile Number, you can use it to e-Verify your returns.
Generate EVC through Demat Account Number:
Sign-in to your e-Filing account, go to “e-File” menu, click on “Generate EVC”, and select “Option 4 – Generate EVC through Demat Account Number”. If your Demat Account Number is not prevalidated, click on “Prevalidate your Demat Account” button as appearing on your screen. You will be redirected to the page showing below:
You have to select the Depository type as either “NSDL” or “CSDL”. Enter your DP ID, Client ID, Mobile Number and Email ID (in case of NSDL) or enter your Demat Account Number, Mobile Number and Email ID (in case of CSDL).
If your Demat Account is already prevalidated, below screen will show up:
Click on “YES” to generate EVC. The EVC shall be sent to your registered Mobile Number, you can use it to e-Verify your returns.
Generate EVC to Registered Email ID and Mobile Number:
This option is available to the taxpayers whose total income is less than or equal to Rs. 5 lakhs and refund/tax payable is less than or equal to Rs. 100.
Also read: A Guide to Income Tax Refund process
Option 3- I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-Verify my return
To generate Aadhaar OTP, your PAN and Aadhar must be linked to your account on Income Tax e-Filing website.
Note: You can link your Aadhar by logging into the Income Tax e-Filing website, and clicking on “Link Aadhaar” under “Profile Settings” tab.
• Below screen will be displayed if your Aadhaar is linked to your account:
OTP will be sent to the registered Mobile Number on your Aadhaar account. Click on “Submit” button once you enter the OTP to e-Verify your return.
Option 4- I would like to send ITR-V/ I would like to e-Verify later
If you are not able to e-Verify your ITR at the time of filing for any reason, you can opt for this option and can e-Verify it later. After uploading the ITR, you can download the ITR-V and send the signed ITR-V to the Income Tax Department by the ordinary post or Speed Post only, within 120 days from the date of upload of your return.
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Final Words
It is advisable to file your returns online and e-Verify it at the same time. It will save your time, and you need not have worry about your ITR until it is due again.