With the advent of computerization, everything has now gone online – newspaper has been replaced by e-newsletters and and income tax returns have been replaced by e- income tax returns. E-Income Tax Return are filed online by furnishing all the details of incomes, expenses and investments. It is very important that all correct particulars are stated in the Income Tax Return and the person furnishing the same submits a declaration that all particulars stated are true and fair to the best of his knowledge. Signing a declaration is easy in case of paper filing as the declarant can easily sign the declaration. But how can we sign this declaration while submitting documents online??? The answer is Filing of ITR through Digital Signature Certificate. Did you know it is mandatory to file your ITR by  Digital Signature?

What is Digital Signature?

A Digital Signature is a Certificate for demonstrating the authenticity of the digital message or document. It authenticates electronic documents in a similar manner a handwritten signature authenticates printed documents. This signature cannot be forged. Digital Signatures enables the “authentication” and “non repudiation” of electronic messages assuring the recipient of the electronic message of both the identity of the sender and the integrity of the message. The Digital Certificates are typically issued with 2 year validity. It includes the cost of medium (a USB token which is a one-time cost).

 

Digital Signature Certificate and e-Filing of Incomes Taxes : 

ITR Filing through DSC gives the convenience to the assessee to get rid of verifying the ITR by physically posting the ITR V to CPC.  There are many of such advantages of filing the ITR through DSC as stated below :

• It is a paperless method of filing of ITR.
• It is very cheap to obtain.
• It gives a higher security as the signature cannot be forged.
• It cannot be misused too, as it is password authenticated.
• It is mandatory for some class of taxpayers to file the ITR through DSC only.
• It is not required for a person to be present physically for authenticating the document in case of DSC.

Registering the DSC with Income Tax Department :

1. The taxpayer would log into the E-filing website http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in using the Login Credentials.
2. Under “Profile Settings” he would have to select “Register the DSC” option.
3. The taxpayer has to download the DSC Management Utility to generate a signature file to register the DSC.
4. The taxpayer would have to go to “Register/Reset Password using DSC” in the DSC Utility and feed in the information’s such as E-Filing User Id, PAN of the DSC owner, type of DSC and the password of the DSC to generate the signature file.
5. After generating the signature file, the taxpayer would have to attach the signature file in the E-Filing portal and click on submit to successfully register his DSC with Income Tax Portal.

Uploading Income Tax Return through DSC

1. Prepare your Income Tax Return and Generate the XML File.
2. Login to your account on IT Portal.
3. Go to “E-File” tab and click on Upload Return.
4. Select the ITR Form and Assessment year of the ITR to be uploaded.
5. Attach the xml file to be filed.
6. Select the option “Yes” in “Do you want to digitally file?”
7. Go to “Upload Xml” on DSC Management Utility to generate the signature file for uploading the return.
8. After entering the user id, PAN and password, generate the signature file.
9. Attach the signature file along with the attached xml on E-Filing portal and click on submit to upload the return successfully.

E-Filing through DSC mandatory for certain taxpayers :

Type of Taxpayer	Condition	Manner of furnishing return of income
Individual or Hindu undivided family	Accounts are required to be audited under section 44AB of the Act	Electronically under digital signature
Company	In all cases	Electronically under digital signature
A person required to furnish the return in Form ITR-7	In case of a political party	Electronically under digital signature
Firm or limited liability partnership or any person (other than a person mentioned in Sl. 1 to 3 above) who is required to file return in Form ITR-5	Accounts are required to be audited under section 44AB of the Act;	Electronically under digital signature

Please visit us at Taxmantra.com – ITR Filing for any support, query or feedback.

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