Income Tax Verification: The checking of your filed taxes

Income Tax Verification  

It is important that all the bonafide citizens of the country, who are earning their income above the taxable limit should file their income tax returns on time and in a proper manner. 

It is also important that they should know properly how to file their income tax returns. And filing their returns they should also verify whether they have filed the returns in a proper mode and manner. 

Verification of IT returns is important as any minor mistake in the filing of tax returns may cause serious problems and difficulties. 

Also read about TDS Returns.

Following are the means and methods to verify the filing of IT returns: 

1. Why should we e-Verify?

You need to verify your Income Tax Returns to complete the return filing process. Without verification within the stipulated time, an ITR is treated as invalid. e-Verification is the most convenient and instant way to verify your ITR.

You can also e-Verify other requests / responses / services to complete the respective processes successfully, including verification of:

Income Tax Forms (through online portal / offline utility)

e-Proceedings

Refund Reissue Requests

Rectification Requests

Condonation of Delay in filing ITR after due Date

Service Requests (submitted by ERIs)

Uploading ITR in bulk (by ERIs)

2. What are the different ways in which I can e-Verify my returns?

You can e-Verify your returns online using:

OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar, or

EVC generated through your pre-validated bank account, or

EVC generated through your pre-validated demat account, or

EVC through ATM (offline method), or

Net Banking, or

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

3. I have filed my return more than 120 days ago. Can I still verify my returns online?

Yes. You need to submit request for condonation of delay (refer to the Service Request user manual) by providing an appropriate reason for the delay. But the return will be taken as verified only after approval of the condonation request by the Income Tax Department.

You may also read Profession Is The Link Between An Individual And The Larger Society

4. Can an Authorized Signatory / Representative Assessee e-Verify the return on my behalf?

Yes. The Authorized Signatory / Representative Assessee can e-Verify the return on behalf of the assessee using any of the following methods:

Aadhaar OTP: OTP will be sent to the Authorized Signatory's / Representative Assessee's mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

Net Banking: EVC generated through net banking will be sent to the Authorized Signatory's / Representative Assessee's mobile number and email ID registered with the e-Filing portal.

Bank Account / Demat Account EVC: EVC generated through the pre-validated and EVC-enabled bank account / demat account will be sent to the Authorized Signatory's / Representative Assessee's mobile number and email ID registered with the e-Filing portal.

5. How will I know that my e-Verification is complete?

In case you are e-Verifying your return:

A success message will be displayed along with a Transaction ID

An email will be sent to your email ID registered with the e-Filing portal

In case you are an Authorized Signatory / Representative Assessee:

A success message will be displayed along with a Transaction ID

After successful verification, an email confirmation will be sent to the primary email ID of both Authorized Signatory's / Representative Assessee's and your email ID registered with e-Filing portal

6. When am I required to file / apply for condonation of delay?

It is suggested to file a condonation request as soon as you notice that you have not verified your return even after 120 days of filing.

7. My registered mobile number is not updated with Aadhaar, can I still e-Verify my return using Aadhaar OTP?

No. You need to update your mobile number with Aadhaar to e-Verify your return using Aadhaar OTP.

8. My demat account / bank account is inactive, can I e-Verify my return with this account?

No. You need to have an active demat account / bank account which needs to be pre-validated and EVC-enabled on e-Filing portal to e-Verify your return using your demat account / bank account.

9. Will delay in e-Verification attract any penalty?

If you do not verify in time, your return is treated as not filed and it will attract all the consequences of not filing ITR under the Income Tax Act, 1961. However, you may request condonation of delay in verification by giving appropriate reason. Only after submission of such a request, you will be able to e-Verify your return. However, the return will be treated valid only once the condonation request has been approved by the competent Income Tax Authority.

10. What is EVC?

An Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is a 10-digit alpha-numeric code which is sent to your mobile number and email ID registered with the e-Filing portal / bank account / demat account (as the case may be) during the process of e-Verification. It has a 72-hour validity from the time of its generation.

11. What to do in case ITR-V is rejected?

You can see the reason for rejection on your e-Filing Dashboard. You may send another ITR-V or choose to e-Verify the ITR online.

12. What are the benefits of e-Verification?

You do not need to send a physical copy of your ITR-V to CPC, Bangalore.

Verification of your ITR happens instantly, which saves you from the delay in transit of ITR-V.

You can e-Verify using any of the various methods - Aadhaar OTP / EVC (using pre-validated bank / demat account) / Net Banking / Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

13. Is it mandatory to e-Verify your return?

No. e-Verification is just one method of verifying your filed ITR. You can choose either of the two methods to verify your filed ITR:

e-Verify returns online, or

Send a physical copy of your duly signed ITR-V to CPC, Bangalore.

14. I have filed ITR and sent the physical copy of ITR-V to CPC.

However, I received a notification from CPC that they have not received the ITR-V and 120 days have lapsed since the date of filing. What can I do?

You can e-Verify your ITR online after submitting a condonation request. 

15. What is the difference between pre-login e-Verification and post-login e-Verification?

You can choose to e-Verify your filed ITR before or after logging in to e-Filing portal. The only difference is that while using the pre-login service, you will be required to provide the details of your filed ITR (PAN, Assessment Year and Acknowledgment Number) before e-Verifying the ITR. If you choose to use the post-login service, you will be able to choose the respective record of ITR filed rather than provide any such details before e-Verifying the ITR.

16. Can I e-Verify my ITR using Digital Signature Certificate?

Yes. DSC is one of the ways to e-Verify. However, you will be able to e-Verify using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) immediately after filing your ITR.

You will not be able to choose DSC as a preferred option to e-Verify in case you have selected the e-Verify Later option while submitting Income Tax Returns.

You may also read about The Income Tax Calculator.