ITR e-verification — the 30-day deadline and what happens if you miss it

Key takeaway

An unverified ITR is a non-event — the department doesn't process it. e-Verify within 30 days of filing (it takes two minutes with an Aadhaar OTP) and you're safe. Miss the window and you may have to file again.

The two common situations

• Filed before 31 July but verifying a little later: as long as you verify within 30 days of the filing date, the return keeps its on-time status — even if the 30 days spill past 31 July.
• Verified more than 30 days after filing: the date of verification is taken as the date of filing. If that date is after the due date, the return becomes belated — attracting the late fee and loss of carry-forward.

What if you never verified an old return?

An ITR filed (say in 2022) and never verified is invalid — as if never filed. You'd need to file again (belated if the window is open, or an Updated Return, ITR-U, for older years). There is a condonation route for genuine delay in verification — apply to the CPC/AO with reasons.

How to e-verify (2 minutes)

• Aadhaar OTP (fastest), net banking, bank/demat EVC, or DSC.
• Offline: send the signed ITR-V by ordinary/speed post to CPC, Bengaluru within 30 days.

Forms required

Just the ITR you filed — verify it from e-File → Income Tax Returns → e-Verify Return on the portal.