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Challenge with the earlier process of sending ITR-V to IT Department
Earlier, for those who did not have a digital signature, the last step of e-filing of income tax return included taking a print out of ITR-V form, signing it and sending it to the IT Department - CPC, Bengaluru. This last step had some challenges and delayed the completion of the process of e-filing of income tax return. Also if the ITR-V was not sent, the process of e-filing was considered incomplete by the IT Department.
To address this, from 2015, the Income Tax Department has introduced the process of e-verification of income tax return using the EVC (Electronic Verification Code). The process of e-verification of ITR using EVC is very simple and once you do it, the process of e-filing of ITR is completed and you need not send the ITR-V to the IT Department. Thus the introduction of EVC is a big blessing for the taxpayers and has made life easy for them. Please note that the e-verification using EVC is just another alternative and taxpayers can continue using the earlier methods of ITR filing, if they wish to.
So now let us look at the process of e-verification using the EVC
You can e-verify your ITR at the time of uploading the ITR or later.
To e-verify your ITR, following are the steps:
-> Login to: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
-> Go to e-File section
-> Select “Generate EVC” from the drop down list
You will be shown the following 4 options
Option 1: Generate e-Filing OTP
Important: Please note that you can use this option to generate EVC only if your gross income minus deductions is less than Rs. 5 Lakhs and there is no income tax demand / refund.
If your gross income minus deductions is more than Rs. 5 Lakhs and there is income tax demand / refund, then the process to be followed is explained in the latter part of the article.
If you fulfill the above criteria (gross income minus deductions is less than Rs. 5 Lakhs and there is no income tax demand / refund), then click “Option 1: Generate e-Filing OTP” option. You will be shown the following pop-up:
Just click on ‘YES’ and you will get the following message
Check your email / mobile for the EVC.
Once you receive the EVC, to e-verify your ITR, following are the steps:
-> Login to: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
-> Go to e-File section
-> Select “e-Verify Return” from the drop down list
In the above screen click on “e-Verify”. Once you do that, you will be shown a pop-up asking you to enter the EVC code. Enter the EVC code and submit. You will be shown the following screen.
You will be sent an email acknowledgement. You can also download the attachment from the above screen. This will complete the ITR process and no further action will be required from your side. You don’t have to send ITR-V.
Important: Once again, please note that this option is available only if your gross income minus deductions is less than Rs. 5 Lakhs and there is no income tax demand / refund.
Now let us look at the process if your gross income is above Rs. 5 Lakhs and if there is a demand / refund.
Option 2: Generate EVC through Net Banking
To e-verify your ITR, following are the steps:
-> Login to: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
-> Go to e-File section
-> Select “Generate EVC” from the drop down list
You will be shown the following 4 options
Select Option 2: Generate EVC through Net Banking
You will be shown the below pop-up
Click on ‘Continue’. You will be shown a list of banks as follows
From the list of banks:
-> Select your bank, a pop-up will come up
-> Click on ‘Confirm’
-> You will be re-directed to your net banking ‘login page’
-> Login into your net banking page and select the ‘Income Tax E-Filing’ option
-> Tick the ‘Terms and Conditions’ checkbox
-> Click on ‘Continue’ and ‘Confirm’
-> You will be re-directed to Income Tax website
In the above screen click on “e-Verify”.
Click on ‘Continue’. On clicking continue, the EVC will be generated and applied to your ITR as shown in the below screen.
The confirmation will be displayed as above. You will be sent an email acknowledgement. You can also download the attachment from the above screen. This will complete the ITR process and no further action will be required from your side. You don’t have to send ITR-V.
One thought on “E-verification of income tax return using Electronic Verification Code (EVC)”
Thanks for explaining so well and in detail. Last year I have done my ITR by myself using ITR portal. I found couple of changes and find it quite easy to manage things. This e verification is simply awesome as sending the ITR V via post is a headache.