Income Tax Return (ITR) verification refers to the process by which one validates or authenticate the details furnished during the return filing process.
ITRs are processed further and refunds (if any) are given by the Income Tax Department (ITD) only when you are done with ITR verification.
When it should be done?
ITRs have to be verified within 120 days of the successful submission of ITR. Failure to verification within the specified time limits leads to the invalidity of the ITR i.e. Income Tax department considers such ITRs as Invalid. So, ITRs should be verified ASAP.
Methods of e-Verification of ITR
An ITR can be verified either through Offline mode or online mode, both hold equal importance.
- Offline mode by signing & sending ITR-V form to CPC, Bangalore.
- Online on the e-filing website with EVC
Offline Verification
ITRs can be verified offline or manually by downloading, printing, signing the ITR-V. The form should be signed in blue ink only and it should be sent to the address given below through post or speed post.
Address: CPC, Income Tax Department, Post Box No.1, Electronic City Post Office, Bangalore-560500, Karnataka.
Online Verification using EVC
Step 1: Visit the official e-filing portal & login to your account.
Step 2: Click → “Generate EVC” under “My Account”.
Step 3: Choose the preferred option ( Net banking is the most suggested one) for the generation of EVC. Once done with the EVC generation, EVC is sent to your registered mobile number and email ID.
Step 4: Fill the EVC in the space given > click → “Submit”.
e-Verification will be acknowledged on the screen along with the transaction ID and confirmation will be sent on registered email ID after the successful verification.
NOTE: Bank account linked with Aadhaar card is a prerequisite for the generation of EVC through Net Banking.
Electronic Verification Code (EVC)
Electronic Verification Code (EVC) refers to a unique 10-digit alpha-numeric code that is exclusive to each PAN. EVC has dispelled the offline verification to a great extent and has simplified the e-verification of ITR on the e-filing portal.
EVCs can be generated through five ways which are as follows:
- Bank ATM
- Bank Account Number
- Net Banking [List of authorized banks]
- Demat Account Number
- Aadhaar associated OTP
E-Verification with Aadhaar OTP
- Step 1: Visit the official e-filing portal and login to your account.
- Step 2: Click → “e-Verify Return” under “My Account”.
- Step 3: Click on “e-Verify” adjacent to the A.Y. for which you are filing a return.
- Step 4: Choose “Option 3- I would like to use Aadhaar OTP to e-verify my return”.
- Step 5: Opt the appropriate option, based on your Aadhar OPT status. OPT is sent to your Aadhar registered mobile number.
- Step 6: Fill in the Aadhaar OTP in the space provided and check the agreement box to validate your Aadhaar information with UIDAI > click → “Submit”.
e-Verification will be acknowledged on the screen along with the transaction ID and confirmation will be sent on registered email ID after the successful verification.
Note: Also, the e-filing of ITR via Gen IT Software follows a few clicks for the Income-tax return filing as per government compliance.
Pre-validation of Bank Account on Income Tax e-Filing Portal
- Step 1: Visit the official e-filing portal & login to your account.
- Step 2: Click → “Prevalidate Your Bank Account” under “Profile Settings”.
- Step 3:Fill in the details of your bank account along with the mobile number & email ID which is linked to the bank account.
- Step 4: Check the furnished details and click → “Prevalidate”.
- Step 5: Make sure you see a confirmation message on the screen.
Steps to Generate EVC through Bank ATM
Step 1: Visit the nearest ATM of any of the authorized banks.
Axis Bank Ltd, ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India, State Bank of India, IDBI Bank and Canara Bank are the authorized banks for EVC generation through bank ATM.
Step 2: Insert an ATM card in the ATM machine > Enter bank account PIN.
Step 3: Choose the option “ Generate EVC” among the options displayed on the screen of the ATM machine. Now the EVC will be sent on your registered mobile number.
Step 4: The EVC received on the registered mobile number is valid for 72 hours from the date of its generation.
Step 5: Visit the official e-filing portal & login to your account.
Step 6: Follow the above-mentioned verification process to e-verify your ITR.
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