New Delhi: Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is only one part of the tax filing process. Taxpayers must also e-verify their return within the prescribed deadline to complete the filing. Without e-verification, the Income Tax Department may treat the return as invalid, even if it has been filed correctly, potentially resulting in delayed refunds and other tax-related complications.

With the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year (AY) 2026–27 approaching, taxpayers are advised to complete both filing and e-verification well before the due date to avoid last-minute technical issues.

ITR filing deadline for AY 2026–27

The due date for filing Income Tax Returns for AY 2026–27 is July 31.

Taxpayers can file their returns by logging into the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal using their PAN and password. First-time users must register on the portal using their PAN, Aadhaar and other required details before filing their returns.

Experts advise taxpayers not to wait until the final days, as increased traffic on the portal may lead to delays or technical glitches.

Why e-verification is mandatory

Merely submitting an Income Tax Return does not complete the filing process.

The return must be e-verified within 30 days from the date of filing. If verification is not completed within the stipulated period, the Income Tax Department may treat the return as invalid or not filed, which can delay the processing of refunds and other tax-related services.

Taxpayers can check the verification status through the ITR-V section on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.

How to e-verify your ITR online

The e-verification process is simple and can be completed through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.

After logging into the portal, taxpayers should select the ‘e-Verify Return’ option, enter the required details such as PAN, Assessment Year and acknowledgement number, or access the feature through the My Account section.

The portal displays returns pending verification and offers multiple options for completing the process.

Taxpayers can:

  • Use an existing Electronic Verification Code (EVC).
  • Generate a fresh EVC for verification.
  • Verify the return using an Aadhaar OTP sent to the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

After successful verification, an acknowledgement is generated and confirmation is sent to the registered email address.

Other methods available

Apart from the e-filing portal, taxpayers can also complete e-verification through several authorised methods.

These include:

  • Net Banking.
  • Aadhaar OTP.
  • Electronic Verification Code generated through a linked bank account or demat account.
  • Electronic Verification Code generated through select bank ATMs.

These options provide flexibility, allowing taxpayers to choose the most convenient verification method.

Can an authorised person verify the return?

Yes. An authorised signatory or representative assessee may complete the e-verification on behalf of the taxpayer.

Verification can be carried out using any approved method, including Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking EVC or Electronic Verification Codes generated through linked bank or demat accounts.

This facility is particularly useful in cases where a representative is legally authorised to act on behalf of the taxpayer.

How to confirm successful verification

Once the Income Tax Return is successfully e-verified, the portal displays a confirmation message along with a Transaction ID.

A confirmation email is also sent to the taxpayer’s registered email address.

Where the verification is completed by an authorised signatory or representative assessee, confirmation emails are sent to both the authorised representative and the taxpayer.

Taxpayers are advised to retain the acknowledgement and Transaction ID for future reference.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

Failure to e-verify an Income Tax Return within the prescribed period may result in the return being treated as not filed under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

In such cases, taxpayers may face the same consequences applicable to non-filing of returns, including delays in refund processing and other compliance-related issues.

However, taxpayers who miss the verification deadline may submit a condonation of delay request, explaining the reasons for the delay.

If the Income Tax Department approves the request, the taxpayer can complete the e-verification, after which the return will be treated as valid.

Conclusion

Completing e-verification is an essential final step in the Income Tax Return filing process. Taxpayers should ensure that their returns are verified within the stipulated timeline to avoid unnecessary delays, complications and compliance issues. With multiple online verification options available, the process is quick and can be completed in just a few minutes.