How to Register Digital Signature for eFiling of Income Tax

How to Register Digital Signature for eFiling of Income Tax Returns using USB e-Token

A digital signature authenticates electronic documents in a similar manner a handwritten signature authenticates printed documents. This signature cannot be forged and it asserts that a named person wrote or otherwise agreed to the document to which the signature is attached. The recipient of a digitally signed message can verify that the message originated from the person whose signature is attached to the document and that the message has not been altered either intentionally or accidentally since it was signed. Also, the signer of a document cannot later disown it by claiming that the signature was forged. In other words, digital signatures enable the "authentication" and "non-repudiation" of digital messages, assuring the recipient of a digital message of both the identity of the sender and the integrity of the message.

A digital signature is issued by a Certification Authority (CA) and is signed with the CA's private key. A digital signature typically contains the: Owner's public key, the Owner's name, Expiration date of the public key, the Name of the issuer (the CA that issued the Digital ID), Serial number of the digital signature, and the digital signature of the issuer. Digital signatures deploy the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology.

If you file electronically using digital signature you do not have to submit a physical copy of the return. Even if you do not have a digital signature, you can still e-File the returns. However, you must also physically submit the printed copy of the filled up Form along with the copy of the Provisional Acknowledgement Number of your e-Return.

Here is the procedure to register the Digital Signature with Income Tax department website for eFiling of Income Tax Returns.

Step 2: Registered Users should enter their User ID (usually PAN No.) and password and click Login

Step-4 : Click YES , then tick the "Always trust content from the publisher" and then click on RUN on the following prompts:

STEP 5:

STEP 6:
Click on Browse button and locate the file "C:\WINDOWS\system32\eTPKCS11.dll" from your PC and then enter eToken password and click sign Choose the option " Upload your USB token " and click on Select your USB TOKEN Certificate buttonStep-3 On the Login Page, click on My Account and select Update Digital CertificateOpen I.T website -https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.doin Internet Explorer Click on the " Login" tab to continue