How to Verify Your Income Tax Return (ITR) Offline Via ITR-V Form

What is the ITR-V form?

ITR-V stands for Income Tax Return Verification form. It is a document generated when an individual files their income tax return (ITR) electronically without using a digital signature. The ITR-V form serves as proof of filing the tax return and needs to be physically signed and sent to the Income Tax Department to complete the verification process.

When an individual files their ITR electronically, they receive an acknowledgment as an ITR-V. The ITR-V contains the taxpayer's name, address, PAN (Permanent Account Number), assessment year, and a unique acknowledgment number. It also includes a barcode for machine reading purposes.

To complete the verification process, the taxpayer must print out the ITR-V form, sign it in ink, and send it to the Income Tax Department's Centralized Processing Center (CPC) within 30 days from the date of filing the tax return. The form should be sent through ordinary or speed post, and it is advisable to send it in a sealed envelope.

Once the Income Tax Department receives the signed ITR-V form, they will verify it and acknowledge the receipt. This completes the verification process for the electronically filed tax return.

It's important to note that the ITR-V form is not required when filing the tax return using a digital signature or when e-verifying the return through methods such as Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or electronic verification code (EVC). In those cases, the return is considered verified electronically, and there is no need to send the ITR-V form to the Income Tax Department.

Let us understand the process of e-verification via the ITR-V form.

Step 1: Log in to e-filing portal.

Step 2: On your dashboard, click on the e-file and hover to Income tax return. Click on ‘View Filed Returns.

Step 3: You will see a page with your filed returns. Click on the download form button next to your return details.
Click on the download button

Step 4: After downloading the acknowledgment receipt, get a printout and fill it out completely, followed by signing it with blue ink. Send the form to the Bangalore office "Centralized Processing Centre, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru 560500",) to complete your verification.

Points to remember if you are sending ITR-V to verify your tax return.

• The ITR-V is a one-page form that must be signed in blue ink. It must be sent either by regular post or by speed post. ITR-V cannot be couriered.
• CPC Bangalore speed post address must be used to send the form: Income Tax Department - CPC, Post Bag No - 1, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru - 560500, Karnataka.
• You are not expected to send any supporting documents with your ITR-V.
• There should be no signatures on the bar code.
• The barcode and numbers below it should be clear.
• Once the tax department receives your ITR, you will be notified via SMS on your registered mobile phone and email.

This notification is only for the receipt of the ITR-V; the confirmation for processing the tax return is separate.