E-Verify ITR Through Income Tax Electronic Verification Code

In India, one has to verify the acknowledgement form sent by the Income Tax Department to complete the process of filing income tax returns. Earlier, this process of verification was only available through an offline mode, where taxpayers had to send the acknowledgement form to the Centralized Processing Centre via courier. 

Fortunately, the Income Tax Department introduced various e-verification methods over the years. Due to this, filing and receiving tax returns have become easier and quicker. However, to complete e-verification, generation of an Income Tax Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is necessary for most of the methods. 

Keep reading further to gather more information on EVC and the various methods of e-verification. 

What is Income Tax Electronic Verification Code?

As mentioned above, earlier, taxpayers had to submit the acknowledgement form or ITR-V by sending a physical copy to CPC, Bengaluru. However, the Income Tax Department now promotes e-filing as it is paperless, environment friendly, economical and more efficient. 

To complete the submission of ITR-V online, generation of Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is crucial, but many taxpayers do not know what it is. EVC for income tax returns verification is a ten-digit unique alphanumeric code. It serves the purpose of verifying the identity of individuals ​​furnishing the ITR. 

You can generate EVC on the official e-filing portal using various methods. However, after generation, the code is only valid for 72 hours and can be used for verifying only one ITR. 

How to Generate Electronic Verification Code?

To allow easy and smooth generation of EVC, the Income Tax Department provides various ways to do so. Here are the modes available and the steps to generate EVC:

• Through net banking
  Various banks offer the facility of generating EVC using a net banking account. You need to log into your account on the e-filing portal and select the ‘Services’ option on the dashboard. Click on ‘Generate EVC’ and select ‘Through Net Banking.’ 
  
  After this, you will have to select your desired bank and log in via net banking. After you sign into the account, click on the e-Filing portal link. You will then receive your ten-digit code. 

• By using bank account number
  First, you will have to pre-validate your bank account. You can do this by logging into the official e-filing portal. Then go to ‘Profile Setting’ and select ‘Pre-validate Your Bank Account.’
  
  After completing this process, follow the same process as mentioned above. After selecting the ‘Generate EVC’ option, click on ‘Through bank account.’ You will receive the code on your registered mobile number directly. 

• Using Demat Account
  To use this mode as income tax Electronic Verification Code generator, you need to pre-validate the Demat Account in the same manner as mentioned above. After validating the account, follow the same process.
  
  After clicking on the ‘Generate EVC’ option, select ‘Through Demat Account number.’  You will receive a message with your EVC.

• Using Bank ATM
  This is the only offline EVC generation option. Only seven banks in India offer this mode. You need to visit the ATM and select the option ‘PIN FOR INCOME TAX FILING.’ You will receive the code on your mobile number registered with the bank. 

Also Read: 6 Ways To e-Verify Your Income Tax Returns Online

How to E-verify Income Tax Return?

Under the Indian taxation system, only taxpayers above the age of 80 are allowed to file income tax returns manually. On top of this, the government expects other taxpayers to not only file but also verify ITR online. So, here are the common steps to e-verify ITR, after which you will have to choose amongst the above-mentioned modes of generation. 

Step 1: Visit the official e-filing portal. 

Step 2: If you are a new user, you need to register yourself first. Meanwhile, an existing user can directly log in using their PAN details and password. 

Step 3: On the main page, select the ‘e-File’ option present on the top navigation bar. From the dropdown menu, select Income Tax Returns and then click on ‘e-Verify Return’. 

Step 4: After getting redirected on a new page, you will see a column stating ‘Generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC).’ Under this column, you can select these modes:

• Through net banking
  Step 1: Click on the ‘Through Net Banking’ option and press ‘Continue.’
  Step 2: Next, go to the net banking page of your desired bank account. Choose the ‘e-Verify’ option. This option is mostly available under the website’s ‘Tax’ tab. 
  Step 3: After clicking on this option, you will the e-filing website will open. Here, you have to select the ITR form and select ‘e-Verify’ to successfully complete the process. 

• Through bank account
  Step 1: To progress with this option, you need to have a bank account that is pre-validated so that you can generate EVC. 
  Step 2: Click on the ‘Through Bank Account’ option and press ‘Continue.’
  Step 3: After EVC gets generated, it will be sent to your registered email address and mobile number. 
  Step 4: Enter the EVC and click on ‘e-Verify’ to successfully complete the process. 

• Through Demat account
  Step 1:  Click on the ‘Through Demat Account’ option and press ‘Continue.’
  Step 2: An EVC will get generated; it will be sent to your email address and mobile number registered with the Demat account.
  Step 3: Enter the EVC received and click on ‘e-Verify’ to successfully complete the process. 

• Through bank ATM 
  Step 1: Generate EVC via the offline mode using Bank ATM as mentioned above. 
  Step 2: On the e-verify page, click on ‘I already have an Electronic Verification Code (EVC).’ 
  Step 3: Enter EVC and select ‘e-verify’ to complete successful verification of ITR. 

• Through Aadhaar OTP
  Under this mode of e-verification, one does not need an Electronic Verification Code. All you need to do is follow these steps:
  Step 1: On the e-verify page, click on ‘I would like to e-verify using OTP on a mobile number registered with Aadhaar.’ This option is present above ‘Generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC).’
  Step 2: A pop-up will appear on the screen. Here, you need to click on the box stating ‘I agree to validate my Aadhaar details.’ Then, press ‘Generate Aadhaar OTP.’
  Step 3: You will get a six-digit OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter this OTP and click on ‘Submit.’ Note that this OTP is valid for 15 minutes only.
  Step 4: Upon successful submission of OTP, your ITR will get verified. 

Also Read: Income Tax Return: Meaning, Importance And Steps To File ITR Online

Final Word

Generating income tax Electronic Verification Code is crucial for most methods of income tax return e-verification. However, to make the process more accessible for individuals, the IT Department introduced various methods of generating EVC. You can go through each of the modes mentioned above and choose the one you find the most convenient. 

FAQs on Income Tax Electronic Verification Code

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