e-Verification is a mandatory digital process to authenticate Income Tax Returns after filing. According to reports from Mint, taxpayers must complete e-Verification within 30 days from the date of filing their return. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the Income Tax Department treating the return as invalid. Even after the verification deadline expires, taxpayers can still verify their ITR by filing a condonation of delay request and providing a valid reason for the delay, though verification will only become valid once the IT Department accepts the request. As per latest reports, this step confirms that the return you submitted is genuinely yours and authenticates the information filed with the tax department, making it crucial for processing.
As reported by Mint, taxpayers have six options to complete e-Verification: Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, Electronic Verification Code (EVC) through pre-validated bank accounts, EVC through pre-validated demat accounts, Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), and EVC generated through supported bank ATMs. Each method requires specific prerequisites, including PAN linked with Aadhaar for Aadhaar OTP, login credentials for the Income Tax e-filing portal, and pre-validated bank or demat accounts for EVC options. Before starting, taxpayers should ensure their PAN is linked with Aadhaar, have their e-filing portal login credentials ready, and keep their acknowledgement number handy if verifying without logging in.
According to the detailed process outlined by Mint, taxpayers can verify through Aadhaar OTP by logging into the Income Tax e-filing portal after submitting the ITR, selecting Verify through Aadhaar OTP, confirming Aadhaar details, generating the OTP, entering the six-digit code sent to the linked mobile number, and clicking Validate. A confirmation message with a Transaction ID follows, along with alerts on the registered mobile number and email. For Net Banking verification, taxpayers choose their bank, log in through the bank's portal, access the e-filing section, select the pending return and click e-Verify. Bank Account EVC requires generating the code, entering it once received, and submitting. Demat Account EVC follows similar steps but requires a pre-validated demat account. Digital Signature Certificate verification involves connecting the USB token, selecting the certificate, entering the password, and signing. ATM-based EVC involves inserting the debit card, generating the code at the machine, and entering it later on the portal.
As reported by Mint, taxpayers who have authorized a signatory or representative assessee can delegate e-Verification responsibilities. Authorized representatives can verify returns using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or EVC generated through pre-validated bank or demat accounts. The verification process follows the same steps as regular taxpayers, with OTP or EVC sent to the contact details registered for the authorized person on the e-filing portal or with Aadhaar, as applicable. For this method, the code is sent to their own registered contact details, providing flexibility for taxpayers who need assistance with the verification process.
The Income Tax Department has established a comprehensive grievance resolution mechanism through e-Nivaran, a dedicated module on the e-filing portal. This system addresses taxpayer grievances related to various departments including e-filing, CPC-ITR, Assessing Officer (AO), and CPC-TDS. The platform serves both registered and unregistered users on the e-filing portal, offering resolution for issues ranging from incorrect demands to TDS/TCS-related problems. Taxpayers can also escalate grievances through the income tax grievance email at webmanager@incometax.gov.in, with status tracking available both pre-login and post-login modes.
