EVC- Electronic Verification Code

EVC- Electronic verification code is a new kind of otp which users can generate to verify their tax returns in India. With the change in the mode of income tax return filing from paper to electronic, many changes have happened down the path and it has provided convenience & many options to the tax payers in various aspects.

 However, FYI only filing of ITR is not consider as completed until the assessee verifies it. It means once you have filed the income tax return, the next step is to verify it.

The income tax department allows 120 days to verify your return after uploading it to the e-filing portal. 

Now, the question is how to e-verify the income tax return?

The verification can be done through an Electronic verification code (EVC) or a Aadhar based OTP . In case of EVC an assessee can easily generate an EVC through the e-filing portal. After that, you don’t need to send the physical ITR-V. 

Meaning of EVC Code 

EVC means electronic verification code (EVC) is a ten-digit alphanumeric verification code. It is generated by the income tax department to verify the identity of the person who has submitted the income tax return. 

EVC is a unique number that remains valid to verify one ITR. Hence, we can say that one EVC can be used against one ITR submission only.

How to E-verify return with EVC? 

Before selecting any of the methods of ITR V e-verification, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps to generate EVC:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Income-tax department https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home

Step 2: Click on the option “log in here” to log in to your account with the help of username (PAN number), password, and captcha.

Step 3: At the dashboard, choose “View returns/Form.” A new page will open showing “Click here to view your return pending for e-verification.” It will reflect all the returns pending for verification.

Step 4: Click on “e-verify,” and you will see three options as below. 

• I already have an EVC to e-verify my return.
• I do not have EVC, and I would like to generate EVC to e-verify my return 
• I would like to generate Aadhar OTP to e-verify my return

Choose the 2nd option and select one of the “Methods of ITR-V e-verification.” Now, you can select the most convenient option and follow the procedures as per the chosen methods.

Methods of ITR-V e-verification

The income tax portal has provided various EVC methods to verify the return of income. Thus, an assessee can use any of the below-mentioned methods as per their suitability. 

EVC through internet banking

To verify ITR through internet banking, you must have internet banking of the specified banks. 

1. log in to your respective internet banking account with user ID and password. 
2. Search for the e-verify option. 
3. On clicking, you can generate EVC, i.e., 10 digits alphanumeric number, to verify the return of income.
4. Enter the EVC and click on the submit button. 

Eligible banks for EVC through internet banking can be found at  https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/main/bank_netbanking 

EVC through your bank account

To generate EVC through your bank account, follow the simple steps:

1. The first step is to prevalidate your bank account. 
2. Go to the “Profile settings” and look for the option “Prevalidate your bank account.” 
3. Now, fill in your banks’ details such as account number, IFSC code, account type, and registered mobile number. 
4. At last, click on the “prevalidate” and select “Generate EVC through bank account number.” You will receive an OTP on your registered number, enter the same and submit it.

EVC through Aadhar OTP

If your Aadhaar card is linked with a PAN card, then only you can opt for this option. Further, the mobile number (registered at the income tax portal) must be linked with the Aadhaar card. 

1. select the option “I would like to generate Aadhar OTP to e-verify my return.”
2. It will send an OTP to your registered number. 
3. Submit the OPT number, and your return will be e-verified. 

EVC through Bank ATM

Verification of ITR through bank ATM is limited to specified banks only. Therefore, if you have an ATM card from the below-mentioned banks, then only you can use this facility. 

1. Visit the bank ATM
2. Select the option “pin-for e-filing option.” It will generate an EVC to verify your return.

Eligible banks for EVC through Bank ATM: https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/main/bank_account

EVC through Demat account 

EVC through Demat account also requires “prevalidation of your Demat account.” Follow the simple steps to e-verify your return.

1. Go to the profile settings and click on “prevalidate your Demat account.” 
2. Enter the required details such as Demat account number, mobile number, email id, depository type, and click on prevalidate.
3. On successful prevalidation, click on “yes” to generate EVC. You will receive EVC on your registered mobile number. 
4. Submit it, and your return will be e-verified through your Demat account. 

Note: In all the above ITR-V verification methods, once EVC is submitted, a confirmation message will be displayed as “Return successfully e-verified” with the transaction ID. In addition, an acknowledgment number will also be sent to your registered email Id. Download the acknowledgment number for your future reference. 

Closing

As told above EVC can be generated in no of ways and verification can be done. However the facility of EVC is available with limited banks only. Also with the ever increasing online frauds, one must be cautious while using this option and must not tell the EVC on telephone to be on safer side.