Forgot to verify your return for past years? Do not worry, CBDT has provided one- time relaxation to the taxpayers who have filed their returns electronically for Assessment Years 2015-16 to 2019-20 but missed out verification. The verification can now be done by 30th September 2020 for the specified years.

ITR filed electronically without digital signature is required to be verified by using any one of the following modes within 120 days from date of uploading of ITR:

i. Through Aadhaar OTP

ii. By logging into e-filing account through net banking

iii. EVC through Bank Account Number

iv. EVC through Demat Account Number

v. EVC through Bank ATM

vi. By sending a duly signed physical copy of ITR-V through post to the CPC, Bengaluru

The ITR is incomplete without verification. Even while the ITR is successfully uploaded on the Income Tax Portal, the same becomes invalid in law for want of verification. All the consequences of non filing of ITR will follow in such a case as per the Income Tax Act.

Considering the large number of pending ITR verifications with the Income Tax department, CBDT issued a Circular No. 13/2020 dated 13th July, 2020 wherein ITR uploaded by the taxpayer for the Assessment Year 2015-16 to 2019-20 within the timeline prescribed u/s 139 of the Act and are incomplete may regularize their return either by sending a duly signed physical copy of ITR V to CPC Bengaluru or through EVC/OTP modes. CBDT has also relaxed the timeline for issuing intimation as provided under second proviso to Section 143(1), ITRs shall be processed by 31st December 2020 followed by intimation of processing of such returns.

The relaxation will be beneficial for the taxpayers who are still waiting for their refunds due to non processing of returns for want of verification of ITRs. However, this extended timeline (30th September 2020) and relaxation will not apply in case if department has already taken any other course of action against such invalid returns.