Want to Avoid a Notice from the Tax Department? Quickly Verify Your ITR Using These 5 Methods

How to Verify ITR: Simply submitting your ITR does not complete the process; e-verification is also mandatory. Learn how to easily verify your tax return—both online and offline—using your Aadhaar, Net Banking, or DSC.

How to Verify ITR: The process for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 has officially begun. For salaried taxpayers who are not subject to an audit, the deadline for filing returns for the Financial Year 2025-26 is July 31, 2026. Many people assume that their tax-related obligations are fulfilled the moment they click the ‘Submit’ button on the portal; however, this is not the case. The most crucial step that follows is e-verification. Without this step, your ITR will be considered incomplete; this could result in a delay in receiving your tax refund and may even lead to you receiving a notice from the tax authorities.

The Income Tax Department offers taxpayers 5 simple methods to e-verify their returns. You may choose any of the options listed below, based on your convenience:

How to Verify Using Aadhaar OTP?

This is the easiest and most popular method available. If your Aadhaar card is linked to your PAN and your registered mobile number, you can utilize this option. Once you select the ‘Aadhaar OTP’ option on the portal, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your registered mobile number. As soon as you enter this OTP, your tax return will be verified within a matter of minutes.

How to Choose the Bank or Net Banking Option?

Net Banking: Log in to your bank's online portal. Navigate to the section dedicated to tax filing or e-verification. This link will redirect you directly to the Income Tax Department's website, where your tax return will be verified instantly.
Bank or Demat Account: If you do not use Net Banking, you can still generate an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) using your pre-validated (previously verified) bank account or Demat account. Subsequently, a verification code will be sent to your linked mobile number or email address to complete the verification process.

Who requires a Digital Signature?

Individuals engaged in business activities, or taxpayers whose accounts are subject to mandatory audit, are required to use a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). It functions as a highly secure electronic key that authenticates your tax returns.

What to do if online methods are not working?

If you are unable to utilize any of the online methods mentioned above, an offline option is available. After filing your ITR, download the acknowledgment form (ITR-V), affix your original signature to it, and dispatch it via Speed ​​Post to the ‘Centralized Processing Center (CPC), Bengaluru.’ Please ensure that this form reaches Bengaluru within 30 days of filing your return.