e-filing income tax return has become a lot easier. Now, you are not required to send ITR-V to complete the return filing process. The income tax department has introduced the e-verification process. This online verification process has replaced the sending printout of ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru. Sending ITR-V through the post was the main hassle for salaried taxpayers.
What is e-Verification
To authenticate the e-filing of income tax return, income tax department tries to authenticate the filed return. Earlier it was done through the ITR-V. The ITR-V has your filing details along with the signature. To get your signature, IT department asks ITR-V by post.
But, through the e-verification, the authentication of income tax filers would be online. The tax department has relied on other parameters for authentication along with the signature.
The tax department is using these five information to e-verify the authenticity of income tax filers.
- Email and mobile number
- Adhaar number
- Net banking account
- Bank Account Particulars
- Demat Account Particulars
Along with these 5 e-verification parameters. The ITR-V method is also continuing. You can send the signed ITR-V as earlier.
The Demise of ITR-V
The Income tax department has not discarded the ITR-V. But the easy e-verification options would certainly reduce the use of ITR-V.
- The first option is very easy and most of the salaried taxpayer would avail this option. Anyway the email and mobile number are already used in e-filing registration and ITR. However, the email and mobile authentication is subject to some conditions. I will give details below.
- The Adhaar verification is also very easy. Today, most of the residents have Adhaar. One can easily use Adhaar number for authentication.
- Although very small percentage of the bank account holder uses the net banking. But this facility would be very useful who had not received the Adhaar yet.
I expect one of these three options would work for most of the people. Hence, the e-verification should be used widely.
The Different Options Of E-Verification
Mobile and Email
The verification of income tax return through the email or mobile number has made the verification as easy as it could be. In this process, after the submission of income tax return, you will receive a one time password. This password should be entered on e-filing website to complete the process. You can do it immediately after submitting the ITR forms.
However, email and mobile e-verification is subject to some conditions.
- The income should not be more than Rs 5 lakh.
- There should not be any refund.
- There should not be any adverse observation by the income tax assessing officer.
Adhaar
The verification through Adhaar is as easy as mobile verification. To avail this facility, you are required to link your Adhaar number with the PAN. It is a one time process. The efiling portal asks for linking the Adhaar number just after the login. You are required to give your Adhaar number only. Once you link your Adhaar, you will always get a one time password on your mobile after every return submission. You have to enter this OTP on the e-filing portal.
Netbanking
It is the easiest option if you efile your income tax return through net banking. You may have noticed banks has given links to efile the income tax return. If you go through the link and file income tax return, you are not required to enter the one time password. Only you have to confirm for the e-verification.
Authenticated Bank Account
It is another easy method income tax e-verification. This method is very useful for the person who do not access the internet banking. In this method you are required to pre-validate your bank account number.
The income tax department uses your information with the bank account information. The matching of information validates that real person is filing income tax return.
To validate the authenticity, the income tax department asks bank account number, IFSC code, mobile number and email ID. On the basis of give account number, the tax department access your details from the bank.
The personal information of bank account and personal information of income tax return is tallied. If everything matches, you get the facility of e-Verification. At the time of income tax return e-filing you get the electronic verification code at your mobile number. It would be the same mobile number which is registered with the bank.
Authenticated Demat Account
Like bank account, you can also pre validate your demat account. This pre validation gives you e-verification facility of income tax return.
To validate your demat account you have to give the Demat account number, mobile number and email ID. On the basis of given demat number, the income tax department tallies your personal information of income tax return with the personal information in the demat account. The income tax department accesses the personal information from the depositories, NSDL/CDSL.
So, at the time of e-verification if you choose the option of Demat account, you would get the EVC code at your mobile number, The mobile number would be the one which is registered with Demat account.
The Applicability if e-Verification
The e-verification is applicable for all the income tax return. Whether it is ITR-1 for salaried individuals or ITR-2 for the capital gains. If you use the ‘ITR-V’ step, you can replace it by the e-verification.
Even you can e-verify the already filed income tax return. You might have e-filed income tax return of FY 2014-15, but could not send the ITR-V. You can also e-verify such income tax return. To e-verify already filed a return, visit the incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Click on e-file and choose, the e-verify option. You will get the option of e-verification.
Which Option Should You Choose For e-Verification Of Income Tax Return
I found the net banking option most convenient. If you use the net banking and your bank gives this facility, you must use the link to efile income tax return. Going through the net banking is easier than log in to efiling portal. Through your net banking account, you bypass the login procedure of filing portal. You directly reach to the dashboard. You can efile the income tax return from the dashboard. The verification of such income tax return does not require any OTP. Thus, it is the most convenient given you use the net banking.
The bank account, Demat account and Adhaar methods are similar. You can choose any of them according to your comfort.
Email and mobile number OTP process is easy, but it has some limitations.
The Procedure of e-Verification
The e-verification of the income tax return process is simple. Once you go through this, you can easily e-verify further. As I could not use the all three method of e-verification, I am relying upon the manual given by the income tax department. If you find any anomaly, please report me, I will rectify it.
The e-Filing and e-Verification Through the Net Banking
As I have found the net banking process easier, I will recommend to use this method. I have an account in ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda. Both banks give the facility to e-file income tax return through them. I believe many other nationalised and private banks would be giving this facility.
Login your net banking account. Search for ‘e-file your tax return’. The link may be under other services or ‘taxes’ section.
The login through net banking directly leads you to the dashboard of efiling portal. You can e-file income tax return as usual. After the submitting ITR form, you can click on e-file again and choose the ‘e-verify return’. That’s it. You are done.
If you have filed your return before 13 July’2015. You can also e-verify the return using the same procedure.
e-Verification Without Net Banking
After login to efiling portal, A pop up would appear in the screen. You would be asked to give an Adhaar number to link it with PAN. The tax department tallies your name, date of birth and gender with pan data. If it matches your pan would be linked to the Adhaar. If you don’t have Adhaar number you can skip this linking.
If you already filed income tax return go to ‘efile’ on the menu and click at ‘Generate EVC’. If you are filing your income tax return, go ahead and file the IT return it as usual.
After uploading or submission of income tax return form you would be given 4 options to choose for e-verification. The taxpayer can choose any one of the options provided to e-Verify the return.
- Option-1 “I already have an EVC and I would like to Submit EVC”
- Option-2 “I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”
- Option-3 “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
- Option-4 “I would like to e-Verify later/ I would like to send ITR-V”
If you want to e-verify through Adhaar choose the third option
e-Verification Through Adhaar
Before e-verification through Adhaar, your Adhaar number and PAN should be linked, if not you can link it from here. There is a button. Otherwise, you will get an OTP in your registered mobile number. Please note the OTP would be sent to the mobile number which is registered with Adhaar.
Step 1: Enter the Adhaar OTP sent to your Mobile Number registered with Adhaar and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
E-Verification Through Mobile and Email
After submitting the ITR form you have to choose the option 2 (“I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”)
Two options are provided – Taxpayer should choose the second option as I assume he/she is not opting the net banking method.
- i.Generate EVC through Net Banking.
- ii.Generate EVC to registered Email Id and Mobile Number.
After this selection a OTP is sent to taxpayers registered mobile number and email ID.
Step 1: Enter the EVC sent to your registered Email Id / Mobile Number and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
I have given the simplified version of Income department’s manual.
e-Verification of Returns – User Manual
1 e-Verification while uploading a return (Non – Net Banking)
- Upload Return Click Submit
- The Return is uploaded (Pending for e-Verification)
- Four e-Verification options provided – Taxpayer can choose any one of the options provided to e-Verify the return.
- Option-1 “I already have an EVC and I would like to Submit EVC”
- Option-2 “I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”
- Option-3 “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
- Option-4 “I would like to e-Verify later/ I would like to send ITR-V”
Option 1 – “I already have an EVC and I would like to Submit EVC”
Step 1: Provide the EVC in the text box Click Submit.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 2 – “I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”
Two options are provided – Taxpayer can choose any one of the options if they do not have an EVC
i.Generate EVC through Net Banking.
ii.Generate EVC to registered Email Id and Mobile Number.
Generate EVC through Net Banking:
Step 1: Login to e-Filing Portal through Net Banking.
Step 2: Click on e-Verify return.
Generate EVC to registered Email Id and Mobile Number:
Step 1: Enter the EVC sent to your registered Email Id / Mobile Number and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 3 – “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
Pre-requisite: Taxpayer’s PAN and Adhaar should be linked.
If Adhaar is not linked, click on Link Adhaar button and link the Adhaar.
Step 1: Enter the Adhaar OTP sent to your Mobile Number registered with Adhaar and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 4 – “I would like to e-Verify later/ I would like to send ITR-V”
Step 1: Click on Continue Download ITR-V
Step 2: Submit ITR-V to CPC, Bangalore.
2 e-Verification of an already uploaded return (Non – Net Banking)
- Click e-Verify Return under e-file.
- Uploaded returns (120 Days) which are yet to be e-Verified are displayed in a table.
- Click on e-Verify (for the return already uploaded)
Three e-Verification options provided – Taxpayer can choose any one of the options provided to e-Verify the return.
- Option-1 “I already have an EVC and I would like to Submit EVC”
- Option-2 “I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”
- Option-3 “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
Option 1 – “I already have an EVC and I would like to Submit EVC”
Step 1: Provide the EVC in the text box Click Submit.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 2 – “I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”
Two options are provided – Taxpayer can choose any one of the options if they do not have an EVC
i.Generate EVC through Net Banking.
ii.Generate EVC to registered Email Id and Mobile Number.
Generate EVC through Net Banking:
Step 1: Login to e-Filing Portal through Ne Banking.
Step 2: Click on e-Verify return.
Generate EVC to registered Email Id and Mobile Number:
Step 1: Enter the EVC sent to your registered Email Id / Mobile Number and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 3 – “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
Pre-requisite: Taxpayer’s PAN and Adhaar should be linked.
If Adhaar is not linked, click on Link Adhaar button and link the Adhaar.
Step 1: Enter the Adhaar OTP sent to your Mobile Number registered with Adhaar and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
3 e-Verification while uploading a return through NetBanking Login
- Login to e-Filing through NetBanking
- Upload Return Click Submit
- The Return is uploaded (Pending for e-Verification)
- Three e-Verification options provided – Taxpayer can choose any one of the options provided to e-Verify the return.
- Option-1 “I would like to e-Verify my return now”
- Option-2 “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
- Option-3 “I would like to e-Verify later/ I would like to send ITR-V”
Option 1 – “I would like to e-Verify my return now”
Step 1: Click on “I would like to e-Verify my return now” Click Continue Step 2:Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 2 – “I would like to generate Adhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
Pre-requisite: Taxpayer’s PAN and Adhaar should be linked.
If Adhaar is not linked, click on Link Adhaar button and link the Adhaar.
Step 1: Enter the Adhaar OTP sent to your Mobile Number registered with Adhaar and Submit to e-Verify return.
Step 2: Download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 3 – “I would like to e-Verify later/ I would like to send ITR-V”
Step 1: Click on Continue Download ITR-V
Step 2: Submit ITR-V to CPC, Bangalore.