How to E-Verify Your ITR After Filing

You've filed your Income Tax Return, great! But there's one more important step before you can consider the job done: verifying your return. Without e-verification, your submitted ITR is generally not treated as a valid return for processing.

The good news is that e-verifying your ITR is quick and can be done entirely online. There are several convenient options to choose from; you can complete the verification using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC), a prevalidated bank account, Aadhaar OTP, a Demat account, net banking, or a Digital Signature Certificate.

This guide walks you through what ITR e-verification is, why it matters, and the methods available for completing online ITR verification.

What is ITR E-Verification?

Income Tax Return (ITR) e-verification is the process through which a taxpayer electronically authenticates that the return filed using their Permanent Account Number (PAN) has been submitted by them or with their knowledge.

When you verify e-return, it confirms the authenticity of the return and helps ensure that the information submitted has not been altered or tampered with after filing. It is an important step because filing an ITR alone does not complete the return filing process. Ensure you e-verify within 30 days of filing your ITR.

The Income Tax Department provides several electronic verification options, allowing taxpayers to choose the method that is most convenient based on their registered details and available banking or digital facilities.

How Can You E-Verify Your Income Tax Return After Filing?

The Income Tax e-Filing portal offers multiple options for e-verification. Before choosing a method, ensure that the required details, such as Aadhaar linkage, a prevalidated bank account, or a registered Demat account, are available wherever applicable.

Aadhaar OTP

1. Step 1: Select the Aadhaar OTP option while e-verifying your ITR.
2. Step 2: Ensure your PAN is linked with Aadhaar and your mobile number is registered with Aadhaar.
3. Step 3: Receive the One-Time Password (OTP) on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
4. Step 4: Enter the OTP within the validity period to complete the e-verification.

Note: To use this method, your PAN should be linked with Aadhaar, and your mobile number must be registered with Aadhaar. The OTP remains valid for a limited period.

Existing Electronic Verification Code

If you already have a valid EVC, you can use it to verify your return without generating a new code. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Choose the option to verify using an Existing EVC.
2. Step 2: Keep the valid Electronic Verification Code readily available.
3. Step 3: Enter the EVC when prompted.
4. Step 4: Submit the code to complete the verification process.

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Digital Signature Certificate provides another method of verifying an ITR electronically. Although DSC was previously mandatory for certain audited cases, you can now complete e-verification without it, even where tax audit provisions apply. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Select Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) as your preferred verification method.
2. Step 2: Ensure you have a valid DSC and the required utility installed.
3. Step 3: Connect and authenticate your Digital Signature Certificate.
4. Step 4: Submit the DSC to electronically verify your Income Tax Return.

Net Banking

Taxpayers with an active net banking facility can complete e-verification directly through their bank's internet banking portal. This method eliminates the need to generate a separate verification code. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Log in to your internet banking account with a bank that offers this facility.
2. Step 2: Access the option to verify your Income Tax Return through net banking.
3. Step 3: Continue to the Income Tax e-Filing portal when redirected.
4. Step 4: Complete the e-verification without generating a separate EVC.

Bank Account

If your bank account has been prevalidated and is enabled for EVC generation, you can use it to verify your return. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Ensure your bank account is prevalidated and enabled for EVC generation.
2. Step 2: Select Bank Account as the e-verification method.
3. Step 3: Receive the Electronic Verification Code on your registered mobile number and email address.
4. Step 4: Enter the EVC to complete the verification process.

Demat Account

A prevalidated and EVC-enabled Demat account can also be used for ITR e-verification. This option is particularly useful for taxpayers who actively maintain investment accounts. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Make sure your Demat account is prevalidated and enabled for EVC generation.
2. Step 2: Choose Demat Account as the verification option.
3. Step 3: Receive the Electronic Verification Code on the registered contact details linked to your Demat account.
4. Step 4: Enter the EVC to successfully e-verify your return.

Bank ATM (Offline)

Some banks also provide the facility to generate an Electronic Verification Code through eligible ATMs. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Visit an eligible bank ATM that supports EVC generation.
2. Step 2: Generate an Electronic Verification Code using the ATM facility.
3. Step 3: Keep the generated EVC ready for verification.
4. Step 4: Enter the EVC on the Income Tax e-Filing portal to complete the electronic verification.

Note: Although this is an offline method for obtaining the verification code, the final verification is completed electronically through the portal.

Over to You

E-verifying your Income Tax Return is an essential step that completes the tax filing process and confirms the authenticity of the return submitted. Before filing your return, it is important to ensure that essential details such as PAN-Aadhaar linkage, registered mobile number, and prevalidated bank or Demat accounts are up to date to e-verify returns smoothly.

Managing your finances in an organised manner throughout the year can also make tax filing simpler. With digital financial solutions offered through Jio Finance, you can keep better visibility over your financial activities and stay prepared with the information you may need during the tax filing process.