70+ FAQs on Income-tax Returns (ITR) for Assessment Year 2023-24

If you do not have access to a mobile number registered with the e-filing portal or a mobile number linked with Aadhaar, you can reset your password using a valid DSC. A taxpayer can reset the password even if the DSC is not registered on the portal. However, the DSC should be linked to the taxpayer’s PAN. Alternatively, you can also log in directly using the Net Banking facility. 

If these options are also unavailable, you can send a request to efilingwebmanager@incometax.gov.in. You must attach and share the following details in the request email: 

• • A scanned copy of the taxpayer’s PAN 

• • A scanned PDF copy of identity proof (such as passport, voter identity card, driving license, Aadhaar card, or bank passbook with photo) 

• • Scanned PDF copy of address proof (such as passport, voter identity card, driving license, Aadhaar card, or bank passbook with photo) 

• • A written letter requesting the password with valid reasons. 

Attach the documents in ZIP format only; otherwise, your request will not be processed. All documents must be self-attested by the taxpayer. The request for password reset must come from the assessee’s registered email ID in the e-filing profile. Once the documents are validated, the reset password link will be sent to the email ID from which the request was received. 

The filing of income tax returns must be electronic, either online or using the offline utility provided by the Income Tax Department. However, individuals aged 80 or above who are submitting returns in ITR-1 or ITR-4 have the option to file in paper mode. 

If the return of income is filed through electronic mode, then the assessee has the following options: 

(a) E-filing using a Digital Signature (DSC) 

(b) E-filing without a Digital Signature or 

(c) E-filing through Aadhaar OTP 

(d) E-filing under Electronic Verification Code (EVC). 

If the return of income is filed using a DSC, Aadhaar OTP or under EVC, then there is no requirement to send the signed copy, ITR-V (i.e., acknowledgement of return filed electronically) to Bengaluru CPC. However, where the return is filed without DSC, Aadhaar OTP or EVC, the assessee shall send the signed copy of ITR V to the following address either by ordinary post or by speed post only: 

“Income Tax Department – Centralised Processing Centre, Income-tax Department, Bengaluru -560500” 

The time limit for e-verification or submission of ITR-V is 30 days from the date of filing of the return of income electronically [9]. If the return of income is not verified within 30 days from the date of uploading or by the due date for filing the return as specified in the IT Act, whichever is later, the return will be considered invalid due to non-verification [10]. It should be noted that if the return is filed before the due date but the return is verified after the expiry of 30 days, which falls after the due date for filing the return of income, the return shall be considered to be a belated return of income.

For instance, you upload your income tax return on 1st July, 2025. You’re required to verify it within 30 days, which means by 31st July, 2025. However, you can verify it until 31st December, 2025, which is the due date for filing a belated return. If you verify it after 15th September [11] but before 31st December, your return will be treated as a belated return.

If you do not verify or submit the ITR-V by 31st December, 2025, which is the final verification date for the Assessment Year 2025-26, the return will be treated as invalid due to non-verification.

However, if you have a valid reason or a reasonable cause that prevented you from verifying the return, you can request the condonation of the delay by providing an appropriate explanation for the delay. However, the return will be verified and treated as valid only if the Income-tax Department approves the condonation request.

The CBDT12 has specified the guidelines for the ITR verification as follows:

(a) The date of uploading the ITR will be considered as the date of furnishing the return of income if e-verification/ITR-V of such return of income is submitted within 30 days of uploading. 

(b) The date of e-verification/ITR-V submission shall be treated as the date of furnishing the return of income if the e-verification/ITR-V is submitted 30 days after uploading the return. Accordingly, all the consequences of the late filing of returns under the Income-tax Act shall follow. 

Previously, the date of dispatch of the speed post containing the duly verified ITR-V was used to determine the 30-day time limit. However, effective from 1st April 2024, the date on which the duly verified ITR-V is received at the CPC will be considered for determining the 30-day period from the date of uploading the ITR13. Therefore, in this case, the ITR will not be considered as duly verified within the 30-day period.

Yes, the taxpayer can discard an ITR if he does not want to verify it so that the department cannot consider it for processing. Once a taxpayer discards an ITR, it is treated as never filed by him. The taxpayer can find the Discard option on the e-filing portal.

“www.incometax.gov.in → Login → e-File → Income Tax Return → E-Verify ITR → Discard”

This option is visible only against ITRs that have been pending verification. You cannot discard an ITR that has been verified.

A. Income Exceeding the Threshold Limit

If the income of an individual or HUF (resident or non-resident), before claiming the following deductions or exemptions, exceeds the maximum exemption limit, then filing a return is mandatory:

(a) Exemption under Section 10(38)

(b) Deduction under Section 10A,10B,10BA

(c) Exemption under section 54, 54B, 54D, 54EC, 54F, 54G, 54GA or 54GB

(d) Deduction under Section 80C to 80U

B. Assets Outside India

An Individual (resident and ordinary resident in India) shall file his return of income, even if his income does not exceed the maximum exemption limit, if he:

(a) Holds, as a beneficial owner or otherwise, any asset (including any financial interest in any entity) located outside India

(b) Has signing authority in any account located outside India and

(c) Is a beneficiary of any asset (including any financial interest in any entity) located outside India.

C. Seventh Proviso to Section 139(1)

Filing of return of income is mandatory irrespective of gross total income if the assessee’s case is covered under the seventh proviso to Section 139(1). This provision requires every person who is otherwise not required to file the return due to the reason that his income does not exceed the maximum exemption limit to file the return of income if during the previous year:

(a) He has deposited more than Rs. 1 crore in one or more current accounts maintained with a bank or a cooperative bank

(b) He has incurred more than Rs. 2 lakh for himself or any other person for travel to a foreign country or

(c) He has incurred more than Rs. 1 lakh towards the payment of the electricity bill

(d) If total sales, turnover, or gross receipts of the business exceed Rs. 60 lakhs during the previous year

(e) If the total gross receipt in the profession exceeds Rs. 10 lakhs during the previous year

(f) If the total tax deducted and collected during the previous year is Rs. 25,000 or more. The threshold limit shall be Rs. 50,000 in case of a resident individual of the age of 60 years or more, or

(g) If the aggregate deposit in one or more savings bank accounts of the person is Rs. 50 lakh or more during the previous year.

Note: The situations mentioned in points (d) to (g) have been notified by the CBDT via Notification No. 37/2022, dated 21-04-2022.

If a non-resident person has income that is taxable in India, the filing of an Income-tax return shall be done in accordance with the provisions applicable in the case of the corresponding resident assessee. However, suppose a firm is deemed a fiscally transparent entity according to the provisions of the DTAA signed between India and a foreign country (in which such firm is a resident). In that case, the return shall be filed in accordance with the status of the partner in that firm.