What is ITR Verification?

After filing of income tax return every tax filer is required to verify that he/she has himself filed the ITR and not anyone else in order to minimize the chances of false ITR filing. When you file ITR, the income tax department receives your tax return but does not start processing it (or checking). The processing starts only after the return has been verified. This process is called verification of ITR.

The Income Tax Department has introduced a quick way to e-verify income tax return. In this new process, you are not required to login to your income tax portal. All you have to do is go on income tax site home page and on the left hand side you will find E-verify return option. After clicking on it, all you need to do is enter your PAN, acknowledgement number & relevant A.Y. And continue the e-verification process using either Aadhar OTP or EVC.

How to E-verify Income Tax Return?

Income Tax Department provides many ways for a taxpayer to verify their Income Tax Return. That can be broadly classified in two major categories i.e. online and offline.

  • Online method commonly known as e-verification has three processes-
    1. Process 1 : E-verify ITR using Aadhar OTP
    2. Process 2 : E-verify ITR using DSC
    3. Process 3 : E-verify ITR using EVC
  • Offline process, sending signed ITR V to Bengaluru at CPC office.

Process 1: E-Verify Return using Aadhaar OTP

To e-verify Income Tax Return using Aadhaar OTP, just follow these simple steps or you can click here to see the detailed steps.

  • Income Tax site
    Go to e-Filing Portal
  • Aadhaar Number
    Link Aadhaar Number with PAN (If not linked)
  • e-Verify
    Aadhaar Successfully linked, Click e-Verify link on the screen & select option to E-Verify return using Aadhaar OTP
  • Generate OTP
    Select "Generate OTP" and receive the OTP on registered Mobile Number
  • EVC OTP
    Enter Your OTP on e-Filing Portal
  • Successfully
    e-Return Successfully verfied

Process 2: E-Verify Return using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

To e-verify Income Tax Return using Aadhaar OTP, just follow these simple steps or you can click here to see the detailed steps.

  • Income Tax site
    Go to e-Filing Portal
  • Download DSC
    Download DSC Utility
  • JAR File
    Extract and open the JAR File
  • Instructions
    Read the instructions
  • Generate Signature
    Generate Signature file
  • Upload the Signature
    Upload the Signature file on e-Filing Portal and verify return

Process 3: E-Verify Return using Electronic Verification Code (EVC)

There are 4 ways to generate an EVC to e-verify income tax return, which are as follows:

Net Banking E-Verify Your Return using Net Banking

It is very easy to verify ITR using net banking facility. To know the whole process further in detail, click here.

  • Net Banking Account
    Login to your Net Banking Account
  • e-Filing portal
    Go To e-Filing portal
  • e-Verify
    Click E-Verify link on the uploaded return
  • Successfully
    e-Return Successfully verfied

 

E-Verify Through Net Banking :-

E-verification of ITR through net banking is a simple process.
Check how to e-verify ITR through -

 

 

Generated at Bank ATMs E-Verify Return using Bank ATM

Follow these simple steps to e-verify using ATM or you can click here to see the detailed steps.

  • ATM Card
    Swipe your ATM Card in Bank ATM
  • PIN
    Click on PIN for e-Filing
  • EVC Received
    EVC Received on Registered Mobile Number
  • e-Filing Portal
    Login to e-Filing Portal & Select the option to E-Verify Return using Bank ATM
  • EVC
    Enter your EVC on e-Filing Portal
  • Successfully
    e-Return Successfully verfied

Bank Account Number E-Verify through Bank Account Number

Follow these simple steps to e verify using ATM or you can click here to see the detailed steps.

  • e-Filing Portal
    Go to e-Filing Portal
  • Bank Account
    Pre-validate your Bank Account Number (if not validated)
  • Generate OTP
    Bank account details validated successfully. Click e-verify link, select option to e-Verify using Bank Account Details and Generate OTP.
  • EVC Received
    EVC Received on Registered Mobile Number
  • EVC
    Enter your EVC on e-Filing Portal
  • Successfully
    e-Return Successfully verfied

Demat Account Number E-Verify through Demat Account Number

Follow the below steps to E-Verify using Demat Account Number. or you can click here to see the detailed steps.

  • e-Filing Portal
    Go to e-Filing Portal
  • Demat Account
    Pre-validate your Demat Account Number (if not validated)
  • Generate OTP
    Demat Account details validated successfully. Click e-verify link, select option to E-Verify using Demat Account Details and Generate OTP
  • EVC Received
    EVC Received on Registered Mobile Number
  • EVC
    Enter your EVC on e-Filing Portal
  • Successfully
    e-Return Successfully verfied

Some Common FAQs

ITR is simply the details of all the income earned by a person in a particular financial year. When the Gross Total Income before deductions under Chapter VI A exceeds basic exemption limit (Rs.250000/ Rs.300000/ Rs.500000), it becomes compulsory to file income tax return. To know about income tax return in detail, refer to our guide.

Filing of IT returns means submitting all income details to the income tax department in the applicable ITR form.

E-verification is an integral part of tax return filing process.Once the return has been filed or successfully submitted online it needs to be verified by the assessee. After which the income tax department considers it for further processing. If a return is not verified it becomes invalid as if no return was ever filed.

There 2 ways to verify ITR, offline & online. When you verify tax return using any online mode (by not posting ITR V to CPC, Bengaluru) it is called e verification (or electronic verification) of income tax return (ITR).

It is very important to verify income tax return within 120 days of filing as the processing of return is started only when ITR is verified. If you fail to verify return then it will not be considered as filed & you will lose out on income tax refund (if any) etc. Also, you will have to file a new return from the very beginning.

Verification of ITR is done either online or offline. When ITR is verified online, that process is called e verification and when ITRV send through post, that process is called verification.

It is not mandatory for taxpayers to e verify ITR. All the options, whether offline or online e verification are available without any restrictions.

EVC or electronic verification code is the alphanumeric number used to verify the income tax return online.

Once you successfully e verify the income tax return it is considered for further processing by the tax department.

When you e verify ITR using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC), this process is called EVC verification.

There are 4 ways to generate an EVC to e verify income tax return, which are as follows:

  • EVC Through Net Banking
  • EVC Generated at Bank ATMs*
  • EVC Through Bank Account Number*
  • EVC Through Demat Account Number*

(*) Available for selected banks only.

So simply choose an option which suits you the best, follow the detailed steps as shown above & e verify ITR.

Yes, you can send ITR V to CPC, Bengaluru using either Ordinary Post or Speed Post. The option to send via Courier is not allowed.

After filing Income Tax Return, it is mandatory for everyone to verify return (either offline or online) within 120 days of filing. If the ITR V is not verified within 120 days then your return will become invalid & you’ll have to file a fresh return form the beginning as if no return was filed.

Income tax department gives an option to file Condonation of delay request after the original time period of 120 days. While submitting the request you are required to

  • Select the Reason for such delay (Reason for delay can be selected from the pre specified drop down list.) Also, if your reason is not listed, select others and enter the details in remarks.
  • Specify Remarks (if any)
  • Enter OTP received on aadhar linked mobile number.

Submitting a successful condonation request does not warrant that the same will be accepted by the Income Tax Return and your return would be e-verified. The validity and genuineness of the request would be judged by the requisite authorities before accepting your request.

You will be notified through text SMS from department once it get received. Further you can check the status of ITR V by login at Income Tax India website & fill-in the relevant details.

Acknowledgement of ITR V depends upon the method opted for ITR verification.

  • If you have verified ITR online (Aadhaar OTP, EVC etc) then an acknowledgement form will be available as shown in the question “What do you mean by ITR V” above.
  • In case ITR V is sent offline (i.e. through post), you will receive an acknowledgement (text message) in the form of message (SMS) on registered mobile number & email ID. Two messages will be sent to you, first when ITD receives your ITR V & second when ITR V is processed successfully.

If your ITR V receipt status shows as ITR-V Rejected then in such case, click on the Acknowledgement Number & the reason for ITR V rejection will be shown.

ITR V can be rejected for various reasons like you may have sent return for verification after 120 days or ITR V was folded or stapled etc. Make sure that you correct the mistake & resend ITR V (other than case where 120 days limit has been exceeded).

It is highly recommended for taxpayers to download & save ITR V acknowledgement. Although it is available every time on incometaxefiling website, but it is suggested to keep it handy & therefore download it now.

E-Verification is final step for filing ITR. After e-verification rest will be done by CPC Bangalore. They will process the return and ITR status will change with processed.

Return can not be edited after filing whether the same is verified or not. The option to edit the return is to file revised return.

There is no need to send ITR V form after e-verification. E verification means that your return has been already digitally verified.

It is advised to verify both the original and revised return so that income tax department will smoothly process both the returns filed and no liability of interest and penalty would arise.

Intimation under section 143(1) is received when your return is processed. Firstly you have to check it by login on income tax portal and check whether your return has been processed or not.

Return submitted and not verified means your return is filed but not verified till now either digitally or by sending a copy of signed ITR V to CPC Bengaluru.

Return uploaded means your return is filed but not verified yet. You have to e verify your return either digitally or sending by ITR V to CPC Bengaluru.

A revised return is filed for rectifying the mistake in the original return. It is advised to verify both (original and revised) returns either digitally or by sending ITR V to CPC Bengaluru.