Do you realise that simply filing your income tax return (ITR) is insufficient? You must also verify your ITR, or your tax return will be ruled void. The process of authenticating the uploaded ITR is known as ITR verification.
The online/electronic technique is now the best option to verify your ITR. ITR e-verification is not only simple, but it also saves time. Here in this blog, the many methods for ITR e-verification will be discussed here.
Why should you double-check your ITR?
You should double-check and verify your ITR for the following reasons:
- Even if you file on time, your return will be invalidated unless you verify your ITR.
- Only once you have verified your ITR will it be processed.
- If you do not verify the ITR, you will not receive an income tax refund. As a result, if you delay the verification, the refund procedure will be delayed as well.
- Furthermore, if you do not validate your ITR within 120 days after filing, you will be required to file a late return, which will be subject to late-filing penalties.
What happens if an ITR isn’t verified within 120 days of filing?
If you don’t validate your ITR within 120 days of filing it, it will be considered invalid. This indicates that you have not submitted an ITR for that fiscal year and will be required to file a late ITR with penalties.
If you were unable to verify your ITR on time owing to a real reason or hardship, you can make a condonation delay request through the IT Department’s e-filing website.
Let’s now proceed towards the process of submitting an ITR.
What are the two steps in submitting an ITR?
The ITR filing procedure is divided into two steps:
- ITR filing via email: This refers to filing your income tax return online through the IRS’s e-filing platform, either directly or through a third party.
- ITR Verification: You must validate your ITR within 120 days of filing it.
Step-by-step instructions for e-verifying ITRs
Let’s now go through the step by step procedure of verifying your income tax return online.
Step 1:
Go to the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal and click on “e-Verify Return” under Quick Links.
Step 2:
Enter your PAN, assessment year, and the acknowledgement number you received when you filed your ITR.
Step 3:
The details of the uploaded return will be presented on the following web page. To begin the ITR verification procedure, go to this website and click e-verify.
Step 4:
Various e-verification code (EVC) generation methods will be displayed. Using a suitable approach, generate EVC (move to the next subheading where we have elaborately discussed this process).
Step 5:
After the EVC has been correctly generated, enter the code and click submit.
Step 6:
After you submit the EVC, the message “Return successfully e-verified” will appear, along with a transaction ID. Using the green button for your record, you can download the attachment.
Now let’s move on to the generation of the EVC.
Electronic Verification Code (EVC) Generation Methods
EVC stands for electronic verification code, which is a 10-digit alphanumeric code necessary to e-verify your tax return. Furthermore, only one EVC can be utilised to authenticate a single return. To e-verify an ITR, you must produce a new EVC if you modify a return that has already been e-verified.
The top 4 ways for generating EVC required for e-verifying ITR are listed below:
One-Time Password (OTP) for Aadhaar
Step 1: Connect your Aadhaar and PAN numbers.
Step 2: Go to the Income Tax e-filing website and click on “e-Verify using Aadhaar OTP” after you’ve linked them.
Step 3: Your Aadhaar Card’s one-time password (OTP) will be issued to the phone number associated with your Aadhaar Card.
Step 4: To e-verify your return, enter the OTP. Please keep in mind that the OTP is only good for 10 minutes.
Step 5: After successful e-verification, you can download the attachment. Please keep in mind that this attachment is purely for your records, and no further action is necessary.
Online banking
Step 1: Go to your online banking account and log in.
Step 2: On the home page, look for the Income Tax Filing tab.
Step 3: Select the e-verify option, which will take you to the Internal Revenue Service’s website.
Step 4: To produce EVC, go to the e-filing web page and click the “My Account” option.
Step 5: The EVC will be emailed to the phone number and email address you provided upon registration.
Step 6: E-verify your return using this EVC.
Use an ATM at a bank
Step 1: Go to a bank ATM and swipe your debit card.
Step 2: Select “Generate PIN for e-Filing” from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: The EVC will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Step 4: Go to the e-filing website of the Internal Revenue Service and choose “e-verify using Bank ATM.”
Step 5: To authenticate your ITR, enter the EVC.
Bank Account Number
Step 1: Go to the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal and click on “e-Verify Return” under Quick Links.
Step 2: Enter your PAN, assessment year, and the acknowledgement number you received when you filed your ITR.
Step 3: Select e-verify from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Various e-verification code (EVC) generation methods will be displayed. “Option 3- Generate EVC using Bank Account Number” is selected.
Step 5: A screen will display that will allow you to pre-validate your bank account. Step 6: Choose a bank, then input the IFSC and your registered phone number. Select “Prevalidate” from the drop-down menu.
Step 7: The following web page will appear after your bank account has been prevalidated. To receive EVC by SMS, select “Yes” from the drop-down menu.
Step 8: After successful e-verification, enter this EVC to authenticate your return and download the attachment. Please keep in mind that this attachment is purely for your records, and no further action is necessary.