ITR filing for the FY 2017-18 for those who are not to be audited has to be done by July 31, 2018. Notably this time around, the return for the AY 2018-19 cannot be filed post March 31, 2019.

Before we get to understand the different ways of e-verifying ITR, here is why we need to verify the returns filed. The deadline to verify the filed return is 120 days away from the date when the ITR was filed. Also, the verification process is called for as without it, the ITR remains invalid and is not processed by the department of Income tax for refund in case if any.

Previously only, physical verification of ITR was allowed, wherein ITRV or the ITR acknowledgment was required to be sent to the CPC wing of the Department of Income tax.

But in today's digital era, to reduce the hassles of the tax-payer, e-verification is allowed through the following five methods:

Here in to begin with, you require EVC or electronic verification code generated to e-verify return online:

1. e-Verification via mobile number and e-mail ID: Here in the catch is you need to satisfy the following conditions

a. Your income should be below Rs. 5,00,000
b. There should be no refund.

If you meet the above two stipulations, you can generate the EVC which will be sent to provided e-mail ID and mobile number. After this follow these steps

1. Login into your e-filing account using the ID i.e. PAN and password along with Captcha.
2. You need to then check into the view return tab
3. Here in you need to click on the link that takes you to all the ITRs that are pending for verification
4. After clicking on the relevant ITR, you will have the option to click on the EVC link which sends the code to the e-mail and phone number
5. Once you enter this 10-digit EVC code, your return is successfully e-verified.

2. ITR E-verification via net banking

1. Here in you need to log into your net banking account
2. As a second step, go to the link that takes you to e-filing option
3. Once you are taken to e-filing link, upload the xml file of your ITR
4. Click on the e-verify link against the return that has been uploaded
5. For e-verification to complete, you need to generate and submit the EVC for the process to take the final shape.

3. ITR e-Verification via ATM

1. Visit the ATM of your bank and click on the link Generate EVC for ITR filing
2. Thereafter EVC will be sent to your mobile number registered with the tax department
3. Follow the previous procedure as the generated EVC remains valid for 72 hours
4. Post following the instructions, the e-Verification process of your ITR is completed successfully.

4. Using Aadhaar OTP

1. Login to e-filing portal
2. Submit your return by selecting verification mode as 'Aadhaar OTP'
3. OTP is received on registered mobile number linked with Aadhaar
4. Enter the OTP received when asked for
5. ITR is verified

5. Verification of ITR using Demat account

1. Log in to e-filing portal
2. Go to the profile setting link and pre-validate your held demat account
3. Herein you need to choose verification mode as 'EVC' using pre-validated demat account
4. Submit your returns/upload the XML
5. EVC is then sent on registered mobile number
6. Enter your EVC on e-filing portal
7. ITR is successfully verified

6. Verification using bank account details

1. Login to the e-filing account
2. On the main menu select profile settings
3. Update account number details
4. Upload the return in XML format
5. Then for verification select the option given as generate EVC using bank account details
6. Later use the EVC generated to e-verify the return successfully.

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