The e-verification of returns, introduced this year by the income tax department makes tax-filing a seamless process.
Till last year, if you did not have a digital signature, you had to send a copy of the ITR V to the Central Processing Centre in Bengaluru. From this year, the tax department has introduced an alternate way of paperless e-filing via Electronic Verification Code (EVC). The electronic code generation process may vary, depending on the taxpayer’s profile and the channel used for accessing the e-filing website.
After you have filed your returns, you have the option of e-verifying it. Filing and e-verfication can be done seamlessly and you can finish the whole process in one go. Despite this relative ease, most people do not seem to be opting for this route. According to the income tax department’s website, of the total 62.19 lakh returns filed so far, only 12.8 lakh taxpayers have availed of the e-verification facility. “The method is not complicated and most of the taxpayers who e-file are techsavvy.
So, there seems to be a lack of awareness among people about this option,” says Sudhir Kaushik, Co-founder and CFO of Taxspanner. com.
To help you navigate the process, here are all the details you need to know about electronic verification, how it works and the various ways in which you can generate the EVC. Since you get a 120-day period, starting the day you file your returns, for verification, you may still have time left to go for e-verification of your return. After all, those post office queues can be pretty long.
WHAT IS EVC?
1) EVC is a 10-digit alpha numeric code
2) It is generated to verify your income tax returns when you take the e-filing route
3) The code is unique for each Permanent Account Number (PAN)
4) It can be generated using Aadhaar card, Net banking, registered email and mobile number
5) EVC via Net banking and email/ mobile expires after 72 hours; EVC via Aadhaar is valid for 10 minutes.
6) An EVC can be used only once to validate a return. You have to re-generate another one in case of revised returns.
HERE IS HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
E-mail and mobile number
The taxpayer can generate an EVC by logging into www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.
> This mode can be used if the total income, before applying any deductions, is `5 lakh or less and there is no refund claim.
> After you log in and opt for e-filing, you can request for code by clicking on the ‘Generate EVC’ option.
> The site will ask you to choose between e-filing OTP or EVC through Net banking. Click on the former.
> An OTP will be sent to your mobile number or e-mail.
> Use this code under the e-verify option given on the site and complete your tax-return process.
Net banking
If your total income is more than `5 lakh or if there is a refund, EVC through Net banking is your only option.
> For using this channel your PAN must be validated in your bank’s KYC process.
> Once you select this option, you’ll be redirected to a page with the list of banks available for Net banking login.
> Most of public and private banks including SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Allahabad Bank, etc. are providing this facility.
> If your bank is authorised, you should be able to log in using your Internet banking ID and password.
> The EVC will be sent to your mobile number.
> This will be a relief for NRIs who do not have digital signatures and faced issues with mailing physical ITR-Vs.
ATMs
Some banks have registered for generating EVC through ATM machines.
> Here, you can use your debit or credit card to generate the code.
> However, the channel does not seem to be working perfectly right now. Also, this is not the best way. Net banking is much simpler.
Aadhaar number
For using this channel your Aadhaar card and PAN should be linked.
> If the two are not linked, the income tax department’s website show a popup and you simply have to fill in your Aadhaar number on the redirected page to link the two.
> Once linked, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number which will be valid for the next 10 minutes.
> Note that the new ITRs also have a space for mentioning your Aadhaar card number. Do not confuse this with e-verification.
