Here is how you can e-verify your income tax return

If you have already filed your tax returns, then you must know that the entire process of filing your tax returns is complete only when you verify the acknowledgement copy i.e. ITR-V. 

Until last year, one was supposed to take a print-out of the Income Tax Return Verification (ITR-V) copy and send the signed copy to CPC's Bengaluru office for completing the entire process of tax filing. This process was not applicable to those who had digital signature for signing digitally. But there have been many challenges in sending ITR-V copies to CPC and making sure that it gets accepted there.

To move away from this restriction, the government recently introduced the new Electronic Verification process. Let’s understand this in detail. 

What is EVC? 

EVC is electronic verification code, which is a code generated for electronically verifying the return of income.

You can follow the process given below to complete your return filing process through online verification.

e-Verification process 

You have an option to e-Verify your tax return at the time of uploading or even after uploading the same. In case you have already uploaded your file, i.e. filed your tax return, then you can e-Verify the same by logging into your Income Tax account and by selecting e-File and e-Verify Return option. You can use the below methods to e-Verify your return-

1. Login to e-Filing through Net Banking
2. Aadhaar OTP 
3. Income Tax website

Let's look at these options in detail-

1. EVC via Net Banking- First, you need to check whether your bank is authorised by the income tax department for felicitating direct access to the government’s e-filing website. Your PAN number must also have been validated via KYC. Once that is established, then you need your internet banking password and login to proceed further.

Login to your net banking account and search for the income tax e-filing options, the name could differ from bank to bank. For example, it could be called Income Tax India E filing, E Filing, E- Tax, Manage Your Taxes etc. 

Click on that tab and you will be redirected to the Department website i.e. incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Thereafter, you need to follow the instructions given to generate an EVC and complete your online e-verification. 

2. EVC through Aadhaar OTP- You can also e-verify your return via Aadhaar Card. For this, you need to link your Aadhaar card at the income tax website and then link it to your PAN number on incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Once your Aadhaar card is authenticated and linked, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. You need to use the same to verify your return.

3. EVC through the IT department website- If your gross total income is less than Rs. 5 lakh or there is no refund payable to you then EVC can be generated directly at the income tax website itself. That EVC will also be sent to your registered email id and mobile number. 

Physical ITR-V: If, for any reason, you are not able to verify your return online, i.e. e-verify through any of the above mentioned options, don’t worry. The earlier option of sending ITR-V copy to CPC, Bengaluru still exists. You can send a duly signed copy of your ITR-V within a period of 120 days from the date of e-filing.

The new way of verifying the return is advisable in terms of avoiding the issue of sending ITR-V via post. The best way to verify your return is via net banking. So make sure to e-verify your return to complete the entire tax filing process. Happy filing!

Rishabh Parakh is a Chartered Accountant and the Chief Gardener & Founder Director of Money Plant Consulting, a leading Tax & Investment Planning Advisory Service Provider. He also runs a personal finance blog called “Mango Investor” aka AAM Niveshak at www.mangoinvestor.com. Readers are invited to send their feedback to ishabhparakh@moneyplantconsulting.net.