FAQs on Income Tax e-Filing Vault – Higher Security
Q.1 What is e-Filing Vault?
Ans. The e-Filing Vault service is available to registered users to enable higher security on their e-Filing accounts with second-factor authentication. e-Filing Vault may be used for logging into your e-Filing account and /or resetting password. Although using the e-Filing vault service is not mandatory, it is recommended to use it for securing your e-Filing account.
Q. 2 What is second-factor authentication?
Ans. Second-factor authentication is a functionality to enable higher levels of security to your e-Filing account. This ensures another level of security apart from validating the user ID and password registered on the e-Filing portal. Using e-Filing vault service, you may choose the login option which will appear by default whenever you try to login.
Q. 3 How can I enable higher security for my e-Filing account?
Ans. You can enable higher security in the form of second-factor authentication in one of the following ways:
- Net Banking
- Digital Security Certificate (DSC)
- OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar
- Bank Account EVC
- Demat Account EVC
Q.4 Can I enable higher security on my e-Filing account?
Ans. If you are a registered user of the e-Filing portal, you can enable higher security on your e-Filing account by using the e-Filing vault feature.
Q. 5 How can I login if I do not choose any of the higher security options?
Ans. If you do not choose any of the options for higher security, you can log in using the default user ID and password and one of the various login methods. Refer to the Login user manual to learn more.
Q. 6 How do I reset my password if I do not choose any of the options in the e-Filing Vault Password Reset option?
Ans. If you do not opt for an e-Filing Vault Password Reset option, you can reset the password using the default option using e-Filing OTP. Refer to the Forgot Password user manual to learn more.
Q. 7 Can I use more than one method of security for e-Filing Vault?
Ans. While multiple higher security methods can be opted by you for login and password reset, you are required to choose one from the options opted while actually logging in to the e-Filing portal or resetting your password.
Q.8 In the new e-Filing portal, do I have to choose my higher security options again or is it the same as what existed in the old portal?
Ans. You will have to choose the higher security options again in the new portal as the same information is not migrated owing to technical reasons. If you prefer to choose DSC as a higher security option, you will have to first register the DSC on the new e-Filing portal.
Manual on Income Tax e-Filing Vault – Higher Security
1. Overview
The e-Filing Vault Higher Security service is available to registered users to enable higher security of their e-Filing account. e-Filing Vault adds a second level of authentication when logging into the e-Filing account and second factor authentication for password reset through one of the following options:
- Net Banking
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar
- Bank Account EVC
- Demat Account EVC
All e-vault Higher Security Options (as set in the previous e-filing portal) have been disabled. The users need to reset the options after login to the new portal.
2. Prerequisites for availing this service
- Registered user on the e-Filing portal with valid user ID and password
- Valid Aadhaar linked to PAN
- Valid DSC registered with e-Filing
- Pre-Validated and EVC-enabled bank account in e-Filing
- Pre-Validated and EVC-enabled demat account in e-Filing
- Valid net banking account
Note: The above prerequisites are not required all at once. One of the options among 3 to 6 is required based on the kind of second factor security / authentication opted for. However, the first two prerequisites are mandatory for this service.
3. Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Log in to the e-Filing portal using your user ID and password.
Step 2: On the top right corner of your Dashboard, click My Profile. On the My Profile page, click e-Filing Vault Higher Security.
On the e-Filing Vault Higher Security page, you can –
| Enable OTP on Mobile Number registered with Aadhaar | Refer to Section 3.1 |
| Enable Bank Account EVC / Demat Account EVC / DSC / Through Net Banking | Refer to Section 3.2 |
| Deselect Higher Security Options | Refer to Section 3.3 |
3.1 Enable OTP on Mobile Number registered with Aadhaar
Step 1: In the Set Higher Security for Login and Set Higher Security for Password Reset sections, select the higher security option that you would like to apply. If you prefer second factor authentication using OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar, select that particular option.
Step 2: A popup message is displayed stating you need to be authenticated through Aadhaar OTP. Click OK.
Step 3: If you have an OTP, select I already have OTP on mobile registered with Aadhaar. Else, generate the OTP. You will receive it on your mobile number registered with Aadhaar.
Step 4: Click I agree to Validate my Aadhaar details, then click Generate Aadhaar OTP.
Step 5: On the Verify OTP page, enter the 6-digit OTP received on the mobile number registered with Aadhaar, and click Validate.
Note:
- OTP will be valid for 15 minutes only.
- You have 3 attempts to enter the correct OTP.
- The OTP expiry countdown timer on screen tells you when the OTP will expire.
- On clicking Resend OTP, a new OTP will be generated and sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.
On successful validation, a success message is displayed.
3.2 Enable Bank Account EVC / Demat Account EVC / DSC / Through Net Banking
Step 1: In the Set Higher Security for Login and Set Higher Security for Password Reset sections, select the higher security option that you would like to apply.
Step 2: Based on the option selected, on successful validation, an information message is displayed. Click OK.
The chosen option is now applied to your e-Filing profile. A success message is displayed along with a Transaction ID.
3.3 Deselect Higher Security Options
Step 1: On the e-Filing Vault Higher Security page, you will see the option you selected for second-factor authentication for Login and Password Reset. Deselect the options where you do not need higher security and click Continue.
Note: You may choose to deselect higher security option for login and / or password reset.
Step 2: On the Confirm page, click Confirm to disable higher security on the selected options.
On successful validation, a success message is displayed along with a Transaction ID.
I am unable to get options for resetting password, since I don’t remeber my previous password. How can I add adhar authentication for e vault or resetting password