ITR Filing Isn't Complete Until You Verify It: Here's What You Need to Know:

Submitted your ITR for FY 26-27, and believe you are done with your work? Think again. Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is only half the job.

To complete the process, you have to verify your ITR. If you do not verify it within the prescribed time, the Income Tax Department has the right to treat your return as invalid even if you had filed it successfully.

What is the verification of ITR?

The last step after filing your Income Tax Return is ITR verification. It confirms that the information entered is correct and that you have approved the return.

How to Verify Your ITR

The Income Tax Department offers many ways for ITR verification.

1. OTP Aadhar

This is the most widely used method.

• An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your mobile number linked with your Aadhaar.

• Your PAN should be linked with your Aadhaar.

• Verification is instant.

2. Internet Banking EVC

• You can check your ITR from your net banking account.

• Log on to your bank’s online banking platform.

• Choose the e-Verify option.

• To complete the process, you will need to create an Electronic Verification Code (EVC).

3. EVC Demat Account

If your Demat account is linked and validated, you can generate EVC via CDSL or NSDL and authenticate your ITR with it.

4. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Businesses, professionals, and other eligible taxpayers can verify their ITR using a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

30-Day Time Limit for ITR Verification

If you are unable to verify your ITR through Aadhaar OTP, Internet Banking, DSC, or Demat Account, you can send a signed copy of your ITR-V to the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC), Bengaluru, by post within 30 days.

Earlier, taxpayers had 120 days to verify their ITR. Now, the time limit has been reduced to 30 days.

If you verify your ITR within 30 days, the Income Tax Department will consider your original ITR filing date as the valid filing date.

30-day validation:

If you e-verify your ITR after 30 days then the department will consider the date of verification as the actual date of filing instead of the original date of filing.

For example:

ITR Filed On 29 Jul 2026

ITR Verified: 5th August 2026

In such a case, the Income Tax Department will treat 5 August 2026 as the date of filing.

Impacts of Late ITR Verification

A late filing fee may be assessed.

1. If your total income is above Rs 5 lakh, up to Rs 5,000

2. Up to Rs 1,000 if your total income is up to Rs 5 lakh.

3. You may experience a delay in your tax refund.