E-verification is crucial for income tax returns to be valid, according to the income tax department. Taxpayers can complete this process using various methods like Aadhaar OTP, internet banking, bank account, demat account, or digital signature certificate. Failure to e-verify your ITR can result in an incomplete filing and invalidate your return. As of August 2023, the income tax department has made it mandatory for taxpayers to e-verify their returns within 30 days of filing.
How to Verify your ITR
Taxpayers can use offline as well as online methods to verify their ITR.
Step to Verify ITR Offline
One option for verification is to perform it offline by printing a hard copy and sending it to the Central Processing Centre of the department in Bangalore.
Steps to e-verify your ITR
The income tax department offers multiple options for completing the e-verification process. You can use Aadhaar OTP or pre-validation through Internet banking, a bank account, or a demat account. Alternatively, e-verification is also possible using a digital signature certificate, but this option is available only if you perform the verification immediately after filing.
To e-verify your income tax return on the department's e-filing portal, follow these steps.
Step 1 - First, click on 'e-Verify Return'.
Step 2 - Then, provide your PAN, acknowledgment number, and assessment year (2023-24) for which verification is needed. Alternatively, you can log in using your PAN and password.
Step 3 - Once logged in, navigate to "My Account" and click on "e-Verify Return".
Step 4 - This will show the pending files for verification, click on "e-verify", and you'll be presented with three options:
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If you already possess an EVC (e-verification code), you can use it for verifying your return.
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If you don't have an EVC, you can generate one using your net banking portal, demat account, or offline via an ATM. This EVC can be used to verify your return online.
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An easier method is using Aadhaar OTP. You can receive the OTP on your registered mobile number linked with Aadhaar and use it to confirm and e-verify your returns.
If the e-verification is successful, you'll receive an acknowledgment.
The income tax department reported a record 6.77 crore income tax returns filed for the assessment year 2023-24 until July 31, which was the deadline for filing returns for salaried taxpayers and those not requiring their accounts audited for income earned in FY 2023.
