A Guide to Changing Your E-filing Password

What is an e-filing Password? How Does One Get a Password for His or Her Account?

To e-file one’s income tax return, it is essential to register on the Income Tax Department's online tax filing site. One of the most important steps in this registration is that one must choose a password for his or her account.

There are certain details you must provide. These include your date of birth and PAN. You can then enter a password. Your PAN will function as your user ID.

The password must have the following –

• a minimum of 8 characters
• a maximum of 14 characters,
• it must contain both upper and lower case letters,
• it must also have at least one number,
• it must also have one special character.

Prerequisites to Changing One’s Password

There are certain prerequisites prior to using this service available on the Income Tax Portal. They are –

a. One needs to have a valid and active PAN
b. One needs to have an existing e-filing password.

Step-by-step Guide to Changing the Password

• Step 1: Log in to the e-filing portal using the user ID and current e-filing password and then click on the “Continue” button.
• Step 2: Click the “change password” tab.
  
• Step 3: Enter the current password and the new password. The new password must be reconfirmed.

  One must note that the password must have a minimum of 8 characters and a maximum of 14 characters, it must contain both upper and lower case letters, it must also have at least one number and one special character.

  
• Step 4: One has the option of checking the contents of the new password that is entered by clicking on the show/hide password icon.
• Step 5: If all the steps are completed correctly, then the password will be updated immediately and a success message will be displayed on the screen. A reference will be made to the transaction ID too.
• Step 6: The Tax Department will send a confirmation to your registered mobile number and email ID.