How to generate Electronic Verification Code to verify Income Tax Return

In addition to the changes to the ITR forms, tax department has also modified the method to carry out electronic verification of the Income Tax Returns.  Until last year, taxpayer was required to upload the income tax return online and later ITR-V was generated.  A print out of ITR-V alongwith taxpayer’s signature was required to be sent by post to Income Tax office at Bangalore. 

For the current year, in addition to this method, there are alternate ways by which verification can be carried out electronically without any subsequent requirement to post the physical copy to Income Tax office.  This post shall guide you in how to generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC) to file Income Tax Returns.

EVC through net-banking

Taxpayer can use the net-banking facility provided by their banks to generate EVC.  Bank already has PAN account details of the customers as part of their KYC requirements which shall be used to generate EVC for the taxpayer.  All major banks (both public as well as private) are providing this service and EVC can be generated by login into respective net-banking sites.  Alternatively, user can also login into https://incometaxindia.gov.in and select ‘Generate EVC’ option under ‘e-File’ menu.  Tax payer shall get two options to generate EVC.  The second option is to generate EVC through net-banking.  After selecting this option, taxpayer shall be redirected to list of banks providing this facility.  Taxpayer needs to login into respective net-banking facility and complete the process to generate EVC which will be sent to his registered email id and mobile number.  This EVC can be used to verify the return submitted online.

EVC through OTP

The other option under the ‘Generate EVC’ menu is EVC generation through one-time password.  However this can be opted by only those taxpayers whose Gross Total Income as reduced by deductions is less than Rs. 5 lakhs and there is no refund claim.  Under this option, EVC shall be sent to registered email id and mobile number of the taxpayer and can be used to verify the return submitted online.

EVC through Aadhaar Card

EVC can also be generated by linking one’s Aadhaar Card with PAN number.  After login into https://incometaxindia.gov.in, under ‘Profile Setting’, there is an option for ‘Aadhaar linked to PAN’.  Taxpayer should enter their Aadhar number and EVC shall be generated after the name, date of birth and gender matches exactly with PAN database. This EVC shall be sent to mobile number registered with Aadhaar card and can be used to verify the return submitted online.

EVC through ATM   

Another way to generate EVC is through ATM machines of banks.  There is an option to select ‘Generate EVC for Income Tax Return Filing’ after validating ATM card in the ATM machine.  Taxpayer shall receive OTP on his registered mobile number which can be used to verify the return submitted online.

If the taxpayer cannot make use of any of the above methods, then he needs to take print out of ITR-V and send it via post to Income Tax Office at Bangalore.

Above options have made it very convenient for the taxpayer to file and verify the income tax return online.  Do let us know out of the above, which method you shall use to verify your income tax return?