After an individual has filed his or her income tax return, the next thing to do is verify it. If the ITR filed is not verified, then it will not be considered valid, as per the income tax laws. Now, there are six methods by which an individual can verify ITR, and among them, five are electronic methods and one is a manual. These methods of verifying ITR can only be used if the returns filed have not been audited. However, if the tax returns filed have to be audited, then it should be verified through the use of Digital Signature Certificate.
Here is a look at the different modes of e-verifying Income Tax Returns:
Generating EVC through Net-banking: If an individual has availed the net banking facility, it is possible to verify ITR through the same. It should, however, be noted that only select banks allow for e-verification of income tax returns. Now, to verify ITR through net banking, an individual must first login to his or her bank account. Then, the user needs to select the e-verify option, which can be found under the 'Tax' tab. This will redirect the taxpayer to the e-filing website of the income tax department. Select the 'My Account' tab and click on 'Generate EVC' option. A 10-digit alpha-numeric code shall be sent to the individual’s email and mobile number. This code will be valid for 72 hours. Then, the user must go to the 'e-verify' option under the 'My Account' tab to verify return. Click on 'I have EVC already'. Enter the OTP received on the mobile number registered with the bank. Select 'Submit' and the ITR shall be verified.
Generating EVC via Bank Account: Taxpayers can e-verify their returns through their bank account at select banks. To verify ITR, an individual must pre-validate it. First, the user needs to go to the profile settings in e-filing account to pre-validate bank account. Then, the required details must be entered like bank's name, account number and IFSC code. Following this, the user is required to enter mobile number that is in the bank's records. For the pre-validation to be successful, the PAN and name should match with the bank account records. When pre-validation of bank account is complete, the user must click on 'Generate EVC' option under the 'My Account' tab. A code shall be sent on the user’s mobile number. Following this, the individual must select 'e-verify' in 'My Account' tab and enter the code.
Verifying tax-returns through Demat Account: If an individual is a Demat account holder, then he or she can use the Demat account to verify ITR. To start with, the taxpayer needs to pre-validate the Demat account to verify tax return. For undertaking this, one first needs to go to profile settings and enter the required details. It is necessary to enter mobile number and email ID that are linked to the Demat account. The pre-validation process is automatic and typically takes about an hour or two. The user can use his or her Demat account to generate EVC only after details are validated by the depository. For this purpose, one must go to the 'Generate EVC' option and choose 'Generate EVC through Demat Account number.' Fill in the EVC received on the registered mobile number to successfully verify ITR.
Generating EVC through Bank ATM: For the purpose of generating EVC, an individual is required to visit his or her bank's ATM and swipe the ATM card. It must be noted that this facility is available at select banks. Then, the user needs to select ‘PIN for Income Tax Filing’. An EVC shall be sent to the registered mobile number. The individual has to log in to his or her e-filing account on the income tax website and go to the 'e-verify returns' option. Select the ITR to verify it and click on 'Already generated EVC through bank ATM.' Fill in the EVC and the tax return shall be verified.
Via Aadhaar-based OTP: To verify using the Aadhaar-based one-time password, an individual must ensure his or her mobile number is linked to Aadhaar and registered as such in the UIDAI database. Additionally, the taxpayer’s PAN must be linked to Aadhaar. Here, one needs to go to 'My Account', and select 'e-verify return' and choose the option, 'I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-verify my return.' An SMS containing 6-digit OTP shall be sent to the user’s registered mobile number. Once the OTP is entered and submitted, the ITR will be verified. It should be noted that the Aadhaar-based OTP is valid only for 30 minutes.
Sending signed ITR-V/Acknowledgement Receipt: If an individual is unable to verify his or her ITR through any of the electronic methods, then there is the option of sending a signed copy of ITR-V (Acknowledgement receipt) to the department. ITR-V is a one-page document that must be sent either through ordinary post or speed post. The taxpayer shall receive an intimation via SMS on his or her mobile phone and email ID once the ITR is received by the tax department.
Why you need to E-Verify Tax Return before Deadline: ITR verification is a process through which an individual confirms the authenticity of the information that he or she has provided during the return filing. The return will be processed by the Income Tax Department and a refund (if any) will be initiated only after the user has completed verification. On successful submission of ITR, it is necessary to verify the return within a matter of 120 days. If the taxpayer fails to do the same, the department will consider the return as invalid. To ensure quick processing of return and refund (if applicable), it is advisable to verify the return at the earliest.
What is ITR verification?
Verification of ITR is a declaration by the taxpayer that the information submitted by him or her is accurate. The Income Tax Department will not process the returns filed without it being verified. Entities have up to 120 days of filing the returns to complete the verification process.
What is the timeframe for verifying ITR?
The Income Tax Department requires entities to verify their ITR within 120 days from filing the returns.
What happens when a user does not verify income tax within 120 days of filing returns?
In the event that ITR is not verified within a span of 120 days from the date of filing the returns, the Income Tax Department will not process the user’s return application. The ITR filed shall be rendered invalid.
How to find out whether e-return has been processed at CPC Bangalore?
To know if an e-return has been processed, the user first needs to log on to e-filing website and select ‘view Returns/Forms’. Then the individual needs to select ‘Income Tax Returns’ from the drop-down option and press submit to view the return status.
How to generate EVC?
The five ways by which one can generate EVC include:
How to verify ITR offline?
To verify ITR return offline, one must download, print and sign the ITR-V form in blue ink. Then, the signed form has to be sent via post or speed post to “CPC, Income Tax Department, Post Box No.1, Electronic City Post Office, Bangalore-560500, Karnataka.”
Is it possible to edit income tax return that is e-verified?
ITR - whether e-verified or not - cannot be edited after filing. To edit the return, one will have to file revised return.
What is Electronic Verification Code?
An Electronic Verification Code is a ten-digit alphanumeric code that is sent to the registered mobile number of the taxpayer at the time of filing his or her returns online. The code helps to verify the identity of the tax filers. An EVC can be generated through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. One can e-verify ITR by entering the EVC on the e-filing portal.
What is ITR V?
ITR V is a one-page document that entities receive after filing ITR. This document serves as an acknowledgement or proof from the Income Tax Department that ITR has been filed. This form is sent to the email address mentioned during the time of filing the returns.
How to e-verify ITR using EVC?
To e-verify using EVC, the below steps need to be followed:
1 - Log in to the Department’s e-filing website 2 - Click on e-filed Returns/Forms from ‘My Account’ 3 - Select "Click here to view your returns pending for e-verification" 4 - Choose the AY and then select from the given three options to e-verify return.
