Filed ITR Will Become Invalid Unless Verified Within 30 Days: Here’s What Every Taxpayer Must Know

Filing your income tax return (ITR) is just one part of the compliance process. If you're among the 2.51 crore taxpayers who’ve already filed for Assessment Year 2025–26, here’s a critical reminder—your return will be considered invalid unless you verify it within 30 days.

Yes, you read that right.

Even though the ITR filing deadline has been extended to September 15, 2025, for many taxpayers, e-verification within 30 days of filing remains mandatory for your return to be legally accepted.

Let’s break it down.

Why Is ITR Verification So Important?

The Income Tax Department has clarified that merely uploading your ITR on the portal is not enough. The return is treated as incomplete unless it’s verified within the time limit.

If not verified, your ITR will be treated as “invalid”—as if it was never filed. This can trigger late fees, interest, & even notice from the Income Tax Department under scrutiny provisions.

What Is the 30-Day Rule for ITR Verification?

According to the latest circular, the time limit for e-verification or submission of ITR-V is 30 days from the date of filing the return.

So if you filed your return on August 10, 2025, you must verify it by September 9, 2025, either electronically or by sending a signed ITR-V acknowledgment to CPC Bangalore. 

What Happens If You Don’t Verify Within 30 Days?

• If you verify within 30 days, the date of filing remains the original date when you uploaded your ITR."
• If you verify after 30 days, the date of filing will be treated as the actual date of verification, not the original upload date.
• This will trigger penalties, loss of interest on refunds, and even late filing fees under Section 234F.

If you don’t verify at all, your return will be treated as invalid, and you will be considered as not having filed your ITR at all.

How to E-Verify Your ITR Instantly

The fastest and most secure method to verify your return is e-verification, which can be done online within minutes. The Income Tax e-Filing portal supports the following methods:

1. ✅ Aadhaar OTP (linked mobile number required)
2. ✅ EVC via pre-validated bank account
3. ✅ EVC via pre-validated demat account
4. ✅ ATM-based EVC (offline method)
5. ✅ Net Banking
6. ✅ Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Each of these options offers a secure way to verify your ITR without needing to send any physical documents. 

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What Is ITR-V?

If you’re unable to e-verify for any reason, you can download the ITR-V form, sign it, and send it via ordinary post to the CPC, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru, within 30 days.

But remember, this method is slower & riskier, as any postal delay may cause your return to be invalidated.

E-Verification Tips for a Hassle-Free Experience

• Ensure your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN and mobile number.
• Pre-validate your bank account on the e-filing portal beforehand.
• Use Net Banking or UPI if your Aadhaar-linked number is not accessible.
• Always check for email & SMS alerts from the Income Tax Department for updates or errors."
• After successful e-verification, you’ll receive an acknowledgment on your registered email.

Consequences of Not Verifying Your ITR

Failing to verify your ITR is not a minor oversight—it has legal and financial consequences:

• ITR will be treated as invalid
• Late fees under Section 234F
• Loss of refund eligibility
• Interest on delayed payment
• Possible tax notices or scrutiny

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Filing the return but forgetting to verify it.
• Assuming uploading ITR = completion.
• Missing OTP due to an unlinked or inactive mobile number.
• Waiting till the last day and facing server slowdowns.

Set a reminder & verify immediately after uploading your return to avoid these pitfalls.

Who Needs to Verify and When?

Here’s a quick summary based on the extended deadline of September 15, 2025:

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Final Thoughts

Filing your Income Tax Return is a key step toward tax compliance, but don’t stop there. Make sure to verify your ITR within 30 days or risk losing all the effort you’ve put in."

Whether you're expecting a refund, or just want to keep your records clean—verification is non-negotiable. Don't let a simple delay cost you penalties or invalidate your return.

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