ITR Verification Process

After the 31st July rush of filing the IT returns, the department of Income Tax has provided 120 days from filing of the return to e verify the return. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in the recent notification has cut down the time limit from 120 days to 30 days for ITRs filed on or after August 1st 2022.

Various ways of Verification of the ITR

Aadhaar Verification

To verify using Aadhaar, the Aadhaar of the taxpayer's mobile number should be registered as per details in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to the linked PAN.

Steps to verify using Aadhaar:

• Open www.incometax.gov.in
• On the left hand corner select the e verify tab
• Enter PAN, Assessment Year, Acknowledgement Number and Mobile Number.

Select 'I would like to verify using OTP on the mobile number registered with Aadhaar' and click 'Continue'.

A pop-up will appear on your screen. You will be required to select the tick box saying 'I agree to validate my Aadhaar details' and click on 'Generate Aadhaar OTP'.

A SMS with the 6-digit OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Enter the OTP received in the box where it is required and click on submit. On successful submission, your ITR will be verified. OTP is valid only for 15 minutes.

Net Banking

• On the 'e-Verify' page, select 'Through Net Banking' and click on 'Continue'. Select the bank through which you want to verify your ITR and click on 'Continue'.
• A pop-up will appear on your screen containing a disclaimer.
• Read and click on 'Continue'.
• Next, you will be required to login to Net Banking of your bank account.
• Select the 'e-Verify' option which is usually under the 'Tax' tab.
• You will be redirected to the e-filing website of the income tax department.
• Go to the respective ITR form and click on e-Verify.
• Your tax return will be e-verified successfully.

Demat

• The process of verifying ITR via demat account is similar to verification via bank account as mentioned above.
• On the e-Verify page, select 'Through Demat Account' and click 'Continue'.
• The EVC will be generated and sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with your pre-validated and EVC-enabled demat account.
• Enter the EVC received on your mobile number and email ID registered with your Demat Account and click e-Verify.

Bank ATM

• The EVC can also be generated via bank ATM card. This facility is available only for a few banks like - Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and State Bank of India.
• Visit your bank's ATM and swipe your ATM card; enter your ATM PIN and select Generate EVC for Income tax filing.
• An EVC will be sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with the e-filing portal. The taxpayer's PAN should be registered with the Bank.
• Go to the 'e-verify returns' option. Select the ITR to verify it and select the option 'I already have an Electronic Verification Code (EVC).
• Enter the EVC code and click on e-Verify.

Posting of the Physical ITR Acknowledgement

• If the above options are not available for verification, the taxpayer can send the signed copy of the Acknowledgement via speed post to the below address
• 'CPC, Post Box No - 1, Electronic City Post Office, Bangalore - 560100, Karnataka, India'.
• The taxpayer will receive an intimation via SMS on your registered mobile phone and email ID once your ITR is received by the tax department.

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

• E Verification can also be done by using DSC.
• DSC is mandatory for some services / user categories such as e-Verification of returns filed by companies and political parties as well as other persons whose accounts are required to be audited under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act. In other cases, it is optional.
• Taxpayer should verify the identity by downloading the emsigner utility
• Click on the check box and click continue.
• Enter the details and input the password of the DSC
• Click on 'sign' to complete the verification.

Preconditions before E verification