Income tax · Individuals and salaried
How do I e-verify my income-tax return, and what if I miss the 30 days?
Short answer
A return is complete only when verified, within 30 days of uploading it. E-verify with an Aadhaar OTP, net banking, a pre-validated bank or demat account, or a digital signature; or post a signed ITR-V to the CPC in Bengaluru. If you verify after 30 days, the date of verification is treated as the date of filing, so the return may become belated with a late fee. A return never verified is treated as not filed.
Ways to verify
| Method | What you need |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar OTP | Mobile number linked to Aadhaar; the quickest method |
| Net banking | Log in to your bank and choose e-filing; you land on the portal already verified |
| Electronic verification code (EVC) | A pre-validated bank account or demat account, with EVC enabled |
| Digital signature | Compulsory for returns with a tax audit, and for companies |
| Signed ITR-V by post | Print, sign in blue ink and send by ordinary or speed post to CPC, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru 560500, within 30 days |
You can verify immediately after filing, or later from e-File > Income Tax Returns > e-Verify ITR.
The 30-day rule
- Count 30 days from uploading the return. For a posted ITR-V, the date it reaches the CPC counts.
- If you verify after 30 days, the date of verification is treated as the date of filing. If that falls after the due date, the return is belated: the late fee (section 234F, now 428(a)) and the other consequences of late filing apply.
- You can ask for the delay to be condoned by filing a condonation request with reasons on the portal; it is not automatic.
- A return never verified is treated as never filed: no refund, no carry-forward of losses, and possibly a notice for non-filing.
Common problems
- Aadhaar OTP not received: the mobile number linked to Aadhaar has changed; update it at UIDAI, or use net banking.
- EVC not generated: the bank account is not pre-validated or EVC is not enabled; fix it under My Profile > My Bank Account.
- Revised return: it must be verified separately within 30 days.
After verification, the acknowledgement shows "Verified" and processing begins. See refund timelines.
Legal basis
- Section 139, Income-tax Act, 1961, and the rules on verification; now section 263, Income-tax Act, 2025
- CBDT Notification No. 5/2022 (time limit of 30 days for verification, from 1 August 2022)
Official sources
Related questions
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