Taxpayers can reset their income tax e-filing portal password using multiple methods even if they don't have access to their Aadhaar-linked mobile number. According to the latest guidance from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), taxpayers must have access to the income tax department's e-filing portal to submit income tax returns, check refund status, download tax documents, and respond to notices. However, forgetting the login password can create significant barriers, particularly when taxpayers no longer have access to their registered mobile number or email address. The Income Tax Department offers multiple ways to help taxpayers regain access to their account, including using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), net banking facilities, or by submitting a request through email. The CBDT's user manual specifically confirms that taxpayers who have lost access to the mobile number registered on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal do not necessarily have to update their mobile number before logging in again.
Any taxpayer can reset their login password directly through the income tax department's online portal. As reported by Mint, to begin the process, taxpayers should go to the home page and click on the 'Login' button. Individual taxpayers can use their PAN or Aadhaar (only if the two are linked) as the User ID, while all other taxpayers must use their PAN as the User ID. After reaching the login page, taxpayers should click on the 'Forgot Password' option, which will take them to the password reset page where they can choose appropriate verification methods. The process involves entering your user ID and clicking 'Continue', then selecting the 'Password' option under Secure Access Message and clicking 'Forgot Password' again. The CBDT confirms that the password reset process begins from the login page of the Income Tax e-filing portal, with users required to enter their user ID and click 'Continue', then select 'Password' under the Secure Access Message section and click 'Forgot Password'.
If taxpayers no longer have access to their Aadhaar-linked mobile number, they can still reset their password using the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) verification method. According to the CBDT's user manual, taxpayers who do not have access to their registered mobile number can reset their password using a valid DSC that need not be registered on the e-filing portal, but it must be linked to the taxpayer's Permanent Account Number (PAN). The process involves selecting the 'Forgot Password' option and choosing the DSC method. The CBDT also lists net banking as an alternative way to access the e-filing portal for eligible taxpayers who cannot use OTP-based verification. Taxpayers using this method must have an active DSC, install the emSigner utility and use a valid Class 2 or Class 3 digital certificate issued by a recognised certifying authority before proceeding with password reset. In the final step, they must enter a new password in the 'Set New Password' and 'Confirm Password' textboxes and click 'Submit' to complete the reset.
Taxpayers can also reset their password using net banking facilities as an alternative to DSC verification. As reported by Wadhwa, taxpayers can log in directly using net banking credentials instead of traditional verification methods. This option provides flexibility for those who prefer digital banking authentication over physical documents or digital certificates. According to the CBDT, if your PAN is linked to your bank account and the net banking login option has been enabled under the e-Filing Vault Higher Security service, you can access the e-filing portal through your bank. After logging in through the bank's net banking portal and accessing the Income Tax e-filing portal, users can change their password from their profile settings. Note that net banking access is only available through authorized banks as per the latest provisions, with major banks including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, and several private sector banks. The CBDT confirms that taxpayers using this method must have an active DSC, install the emSigner utility and use a valid Class 2 or Class 3 digital certificate issued by a recognised certifying authority before proceeding with password reset.
If neither DSC nor net banking facilities are available, taxpayers can submit a formal request through email to reset their password. According to the CBDT's user manual, taxpayers must provide specific documentation including a self-attested scanned copy of their PAN card, self-attested identity proof such as Aadhaar, passport, voter identity card, driving license, or bank passbook with photo, and self-attested address proof from the same sources. Additionally, they must include a signed letter explaining the reason for requesting the password reset to support their request for account access recovery. The process involves entering your user ID and clicking 'Continue', then selecting the 'Password' option under Secure Access Message and clicking 'Forgot Password' again, followed by choosing the email request option. The request must be sent from the email address registered on the taxpayer's e-filing profile, and after the documents are verified, the department sends the password reset link to the same registered email address. The CBDT notes that all supporting documents should be submitted only in ZIP format, and once the password has been reset successfully, the system generates a transaction ID and sends a confirmation to the registered email address and mobile number associated with the account.
