Government is trying hard to go green but the necessity of sending signed ITR-V form to Bangalore was becoming an obstacle to make e-filing process completely paperless. Digital Signature has already been mandated for the companies to file and verify their returns but individuals were given an option to sign the physical copy of ITR-V and send it to CPC, Bangalore.
Government has come out with the Electronic Verification Code for verifying the income tax return to get rid of this last piece of paper and make the e-filing process completely paperless. Now, you just have to put an EVC after filing your return and you are done with e-filing, no need to send signed ITR-V to CPC, Bangalore within 120 days’ time frame.

What is Electronic Verification Code (EVC)?

Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is a 10 digits alpha numeric code to verify your income tax return and can be generated via various methods. Let’s see the features and usage of Electronic Verification code to e-verify your income tax return.
§                 EVC is a 10 digit alpha numeric code which would verify the identity of the person filing the income tax return.
§                 The EVC could be used to verify ITR 1 (Sahaj) / ITR 2 / ITR 2A / ITR 3 / ITR 4 /ITR 4S (Sugam).
§                 EVC would be unique and can be used only with the PAN of the person furnishing the income tax return. This means one EVC for one PAN.
§                 One EVC can be used to validate only one ITR whether it is original or revised return.
§                 The EVC remains valid for 72 hours but can be generated various times through various modes.
§                 In case the tax returns are already filed or uploaded, the verification needs to be done within 120 days of filing of return.

How to Generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC)?

CBDT has notified four methods to generate Electronic Verification Code (EVC). Before proceeding to generate EVC please ensure that the mobile number and email address registered with the CBDT is accessible by you.

1. Generate EVC through e-filing website

I consider this as the simplest method because you just need to click few buttons and you will get EVC on your mobile and registered email.
But this method is only available if your salary income is up to Rs.5 lacs and you are not claiming any tax refunds.
§                 Simply login to your account with PAN number as user id and your password.
§                 Click on the e-file tab and select Generate EVC as shown in the image below:

§                 You would then receive EVC on your registered mobile number as well on your registered email address.
everify-income-tax-return
  • Put the code in the box on the screen and the process of e-filing gets completed.

2. Generate EVC through Linking Aadhaar Card with PAN

Before generating EVC through Aadhaar Card, make sure that your mobile number should be registered with your aadhaar. (I faced this problem generating EVC).
How to link your aadhaar with PAN?
After login, you would see “Profile Settings” Tab besides downloads. Click on it and a drop-down menu would appear, select Link Aadhaar with PAN.
You would then be presented with the image as shown below:
Link-Aadhar-with-PAN
Fill in the required details and click on Link Now to complete the process.
Next Step would be to generate EVC and for that you have to select “I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-Verify my return” at the time of e-verifying your tax return.

3. Generate EVC through Bank ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)

For this option you have to use the ATM card of the bank which is registered with the IT department. You can generate EVC by selecting “generate EVC for ITR filing” appears on the ATM Screen. The EVC would be sent to your registered mobile number with Bank.

4. Generate EVC through Net Banking Facility

Generating EVC using Net Banking requires you to route your process of e-filing through the bank which is registered with IT Department. You would have to login into your net banking account and seek the redirection to income tax e-filing website where you can generate EVC. The EVC would be sent to your registered mobile number with Bank.
This option requires a valid PAN to be linked with your Bank account as per KYC norms and ITR should be for same PAN number.

How to use Electronic Verification Code (EVC) to verify Income Tax Return?

Electronic Verification Code (EVC) for e-verification process of Income Tax Return can be used while:
  1. Uploading of Return using Net Banking
  2. Uploading of Return without using Net Banking
  3. For already Uploaded Return
1. In case you are Uploading Tax Return without using Net Banking than as soon as you are finished with uploading of return, a screen having following options would popup:
  • Option-1 – “I already have an EVC and I would like to Submit EVC”
  • Option-2 – “I do not have an EVC and I would like to generate an EVC”
  • Option-3 – “I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
  • Option-4 – “I would like to e-Verify later! I would like to send ITR-V”
You can use any one of the above options (1 to 3) to e-verify your Income Tax Return and download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 1 requires you to put the EVC you have already generated and then download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 2 requires you to generate EVC either through AMT or E-filing website.
Option 3 would use generating EVC through Aadhaar Card (As described above).
Option 4 would means you don’t want to use the new method of EVC and would like to go with the old method of ITR-V signing and sending it to CPC Bangalore.
2. In case you have routed to e-filing website through net banking account then after you finish uploading tax return three options would be shown on your screen:
  • Option-1 – “I would like to e-Verify my return now”
  • Option-2 – “I would like to generate Aadhaar OTP to e-Verify my return”
  • Option-3 – “I would like to e-Verify later! I would like to send ITR-V”
You can use any one of the above options (1 and 2) to e-verify your Income Tax Return and download the Acknowledgement (No Further action required).
Option 1 would simply need you to confirm the verification of ITR by clicking on “Continue” button. Download the Acknowledgement (No further action is required).
Option 2 remains same as in above case and ECV would be sent to your registered mobile number.
Option 3 would be old method of ITR-V signing.
3. Verification of Already Uploaded Returns requires you to verify them within 120 days of submission or uploading by following below mentioned steps:
  • Login to your income tax e-filing website.
  • Click on e-file button and select e-verify in the drop-down menu.
everify-income-tax-return
  • List of all the ITRs which are pending for e-verification will be displayed.
  • Click on the e-verify link as shown in the image
everify-ITR

  • You would be directed to the screen with three options to e-verify your tax return.
Options-for-EVC-and-everfication-of-Income-tax-returns
  • Select any of the options to complete the e-verification process of Income Tax Return.
EVC-verified-ITR-verified
Remember: E-Verification of Income Tax Return through Electronic Verification Code (EVC) is available from the current assessment year i.e. 2015-16 (F.Y. 2014-15). If you are filing belated return of the last previous year u/s 139(4) or filing revised returns for past years u/s 139(5) than you would have to follow the old method of ITR-V signing and sending it to CPC, Bangalore within 120 days of filing of return.