ITR filing: How to e-verify your return? A step-by-step guide
New Delhi: Filing your income tax return (ITR) online is only the first step. Tax experts are reminding individuals that e-verification must be completed within 30 days of submission for the ITR to be considered valid.
With the extended deadline for Assessment Year 2025–26 now set for September 15, taxpayers who’ve already filed must ensure they also complete the verification process on time.
Many filers assume the process ends once the return is uploaded to the official e-filing portal – www.incometax.gov.in. However, the return will not be processed unless it is verified. “ITRs filed without e-verification will be treated as invalid,” said tax professionals, warning against delays in completing the final step.
Ways to veriya your ITR
There are two ways to verify your income tax return:
- E-verification (recommended)
- Physical verification by sending a signed copy of the ITR-V to the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru within 30 days
E-verification is quicker and provides an instant acknowledgement, whereas physical verification could take several days to reflect in the system.
How to e-verify online: Step-by-step guide
You can verify your return easily online using various options:
- Aadhaar OTP (if your mobile is linked to Aadhaar)
- Net banking
- Pre-validated bank account
- Demat account
- ATM
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Using Aadhaar OTP
- Visit the e-filing portal and log in.
- Click on ‘e-File’ > ‘Income Tax Returns’ > ‘e-Verify Return’.
- Select ‘Aadhaar OTP’, generate the OTP and enter it when prompted.
Using net banking
- Log in to your bank’s net banking portal.
- Navigate to the ‘Tax’ section.
- Select ‘e-Verify Income Tax Return’ or a similar option to complete verification.
After successfully verifying, the portal will display a confirmation message and a transaction ID. You will also receive a confirmation email on your registered email ID.
If you forget to verify within 30 days, your return becomes invalid. However, there’s still a way out.
You must submit a ‘condonation of delay’ request on the income tax portal, stating the reason for your delay. If the Income Tax Department accepts your request, your return will be treated as verified and processed.
With IANS inputs