Filed Your ITR on July 31? Here's When You Must Complete E-Verification:

Today, 31 July, is the last date to file your Income Tax Return (ITR). As the deadline approaches, the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal is expected to witness heavy traffic due to last-minute filings.

Tax experts advise eligible taxpayers to file their returns before the deadline to stay compliant. However, simply uploading your ITR is not enough. Your return becomes valid only after it is e-verified.

Can You Verify Your ITR After 31 July?

Yes. If you file your ITR on or before 31 July, you do not have to complete e-verification on the same day.

Under the Income Tax rules, taxpayers get 30 days from the date of filing to verify their return. So, if you file your ITR today, you can complete the e-verification process in August, provided it is done within 30 days. In that case, your return will still be treated as filed on 31 July.

What Happens If You Miss the 30-Day Verification Window?

If you file ITR after 30 days then the date of verification may be taken as the date of filing. This could mean you are coming back late and there could be some consequences under the tax rules.

The return may be treated as invalid if not verified by December 31, 2026 unless a request for condonation of delay is accepted by the Income Tax Department.

What Do the Rules Mean?

ITR filed on 31 July and verified within 30 days.

Filing date: 31 July.

ITR filed on 31st July but verified after 30 days : The date of verification can be taken as the date of filing and the return can be treated as belated.

ITR not verified by 31 December 2026: The return may be treated as invalid unless the tax department condones the delay.

How to E-Verify Your Income Tax Return?

e-Verification can be completed online by most taxpayers using:

• Aadhaar One Time PIN (OTP)

• Online Banking

• e-Verification Code (EVC)

• Digital Sign Certificate (DSC)

Those who do not have the facility of such methods have to file the signed ITR-V in prescribed manner.

Don't Delay Verification

Rules allow taxpayers to verify their return within 30 days of filing, but experts recommend doing it as soon as possible. Timely verification will allow the return to be processed faster, retain the original filing date, and aid in preventing the return from being treated as late or invalid.

The last day to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) is today, July 31, so taxpayers should file their ITR before midnight and complete e-verification within the next 30 days.