Filed Income Tax Return? Here's How To Verify It Using Aadhaar

Aadhaar or Unique Identity Number (UID), the 12-digit personal identification number, can be used for verifying a filed income tax return (ITR verification). An Aadhaar OTP- or one-time passcode-based service enables income tax assessees to verify their income tax return, using the mobile number registered with the biometrics-based Aadhaar programme. E-verification of income tax return via Aadhaar OTP is one of the ways listed by the Income Tax Department for individuals looking to verify their ITR online, according to information given on the taxman's e-filing portal, incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.

How to e-verify an income tax return (ITR) using Aadhaar and the registered mobile phone:

The Income Tax Department has, on its e-filing portal, shared a set of steps for individuals filing income tax returns to e-verify the same using Aadhaar card. These are:

The user is required to access the "Link Aadhaar" option on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal, incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. This is applicable in case the user's Aadhaar is not seeded into his or her PAN (Permanent Account Number). 

(Also read: How to link Aadhaar with PAN | All you need to know about ITR forms)

(Linking Aadhaar with PAN is required for users to be able to e-verify their income tax return using an Aadhaar OTP, according to the I-T department)

Once the Aadhaar is linked with the PAN, the individual can log in to the the portal and access the "e-verify return" link to proceed. The option is available if there is an unverified income tax return by the user.

The user is required to select the "e-verify return using Aadhaar OTP" option to proceed, according to the I-T department.

After this, the user may proceed by filling in the required details and clicking the "generate OTP" option. 

After doing this, an OTP is received by the user on the registered mobile number. This OTP is to be entered by the user in the given space on the portal. This is the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

After completion of the process, the online facility confirms the status of the income tax return. 

Filing or submitting an income tax return (ITR) does not complete the ITR process. The Income Tax Department has mandated the public to verify the income tax return once a submission has been made.