How to Use Electronic Verification Code (EVC) Instead of ITR-V Sign for Income Tax Return e-filing

Updated: Jan 23, 2022

If you are filing your income tax return, you have to verify it in the final step. If you don’t verify your return, it will not be considered valid as per laws. You get 120 days to verify your return, once you have uploaded your ITR on the e-filing website.

There are 2 types of verification of tax return –

1. Electronic Verification Code
2. ITR-V (Offline)

What is Electronic Verification Code (EVC)?

Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is a 10 digits alphanumeric code to verify your income tax return sent to your registered mobile number while verifying return online. EVC can be generated via various methods.

Important things to know about EVC-

• EVC is a 10 digit alphanumeric code that verifies the identity of the person filing the income tax return.
• You can use EVC to verify ITR 1 (Sahaj) / ITR 2 / ITR 2A / ITR 3 / ITR 4 /ITR 4S (Sugam).
• EVC would be unique and can be used only with the PAN of the person furnishing the income tax return.
• You can use one EVC to validate only one ITR whether it is an original or revised return.
• The EVC remains valid for 72 hours but you can generate multiple times.

Let’s discuss different ways to do EVC to verify your ITR return.

How to Generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC)?

You can generate EVC in four ways. Before proceeding to generate EVC please ensure that the mobile number and email address registered with the CBDT (Tax department) is accessible by you.

#1.  Generate EVC through e-filing website

This is the simplest method because you just need to click a few buttons and you will get EVC on your mobile and registered email.

Step 1: Log in to your account on the income tax efiling portal.

Step 2: Click on the e-file tab and select Generate EVC as shown in the image below:

You would receive EVC on your registered mobile number and email address. Put the code in the box on the screen to complete the process of e-filing.

#2. Generate EVC through Aadhaar Card

Step 1: Log in to your account on the income tax efiling portal.

Step 2: Go to  ‘Profile Settings’ on the top bar and click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ button.

You will see an image as shown below:

Step 3: Fill in the required details and click on ‘Link Now’ to complete the process.

You can select option ‘I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-Verify my return’ at the time of e-verifying your tax return.

#3. Generate EVC through Bank ATM

To generate EVC via ATM

1. Visit your bank’s ATM and swipe your ATM card.
2. Click on the ‘Pin for Income Tax filing’. An EVC will be sent to your registered mobile number.

This EVC is valid for 72 hours. Log-in to your e-filing account on the income tax website.

Go to the ‘e-verify returns’ option. Select the ITR to verify it and select the option ‘Already generated EVC through bank ATM.’

Enter the EVC to verify your tax return.

#4. Generate EVC through Net Banking

To verify your ITR using Net banking facility-

1. Log in to your bank account on the bank’s website.
2. Select the e-verify option under the ‘Tax’ tab.
3. You will be redirected to the e-filing website of the income tax department. Click on the ‘My Account’ tab and select the ‘Generate EVC’ option.

An EVC will be sent to your registered mobile number and email.

#5. Generate EVC through Demat Account

You can generate EVC for your ITR through Demat Account from the income tax efiling portal.

1. Log in to the e-filing portal.
2. Profile Settings adn click on Prevalidate your Demat Account.
3. Select Depository Type.
4. Enter Mobile and email address.
5. Click on Prevalidate.

Click on the ‘My Account’ tab and select the ‘Generate EVC’ option. You will get multiple options here and select “Generate EVC through Demat Account Number”.

An EVC will be sent to your registered mobile number and email.

How to use Electronic Verification Code (EVC) to verify Income Tax Return?

Step 1: Visit income tax e-filing website. Login to your account.

Step 2: Select View Returns/Forms .

Step 3: Select“Click here to view your returns pending for e-verification” (as shown below). Then click on e-verify button.

You will get following details on the Generate EVC page-

Step 4: Select any of the 4 options as shown above.

Step 5: Once EVC is generated, you will see following box. Fill EVC code and click on Submit.

You will see a success message “Return successfully e-verified” on the screen. You have successfully e-filed and e-verified your income tax return.

Let me know in the comments if you have any queries related to the e-verification of ITR.

Image Coutesy to Relakhs.com