How to check the status of your tax return acknowledgement sent by post

According to a press release by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), 7.53 million taxpayers used the e-verification facility to verify their income tax return (ITR) this year (till 5 August). Popularity of e-verification soared this year compared to assessment year (AY) 2015-16, when about 3.29 million taxpayers had used this facility till 7 September 2015, the last date that year. For AY 2016-17, the last date for filing ITR was extended to 5 August this year.

Aadhaar as a means of e-verification also found favour with more people. While about 1 million had used it in 2015, about 1.77 million used Aadhaar this year. Roughly 22.7 million e-returns had been filed till 5 August, "thus, over 35% of taxpayers have already completed the entire process of return submission electronically. The Department encourages all taxpayers who have submitted their ITRs to use the e-verification as an easy alternative to sending their ITR-V form to Centralized Processing Center (CPC), Bengaluru," the release stated.

Data, however, also shows that a large number of taxpayers are likely to send physically signed ITR-Vs to the CPC. If you are among them, do track the acknowledgement. Here's how.

Verification of ITR-V

ITR-V is an acknowledgement-cum-verification form that needs to be submitted after filing the ITR. It contains a summary of the return filed by the taxpayer, and can be used as proof of income for various purposes. It can be verified either electronically or physically by mailing a signed copy to CPC. There are various processes through which you can e-verify your tax return-using digital signature, Aadhaar, internet banking and even ATMs. On the other hand, offline verification can only be done by downloading the ITR-V, signing it physically and mailing it to the CPC within 120 days from date of uploading the ITR.

If the e-verification is not done, or the signed copy of the return is not received by the tax department within the stipulated time, the ITR filed would not be treated as a valid return.

Check your status

If you have sent a signed copy of ITR-V to the CPC, you can check whether it has been received or not. To do so, log on to the e-filing website of the income-tax department: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Click on the e-Filing tab and under "Services", you will find the option "ITR-V Receipt Status". Enter your Permanent Account Number (PAN) here and relevant AY for which you want to check the status or e-Filing Acknowledgement Number.

If the duly signed ITR-V has been received within the stipulated time limit, it will reflect in the status. If it has not been received, status will not be displayed. If status is not shown, and the time limit of 120 days has not lapsed, you can resend the signed ITR-V or e-verify. Failure to do so will invalidate your return and it will not be processed by the CPC. If you fail to file your return on time, the department can impose penalties.

In arrangement with HT Syndication | MINT

This article was originally published on August 23, 2016.