Spot The Scam: How To Verify Your Income Tax Communication. A Step-By-Step Guide
The Income Tax department has introduced a user-friendly online tool to verify the authenticity of any notice or order within seconds
Online Tool To Combat Scam Notices: Have you ever received a notice from the Income Tax (I-T) department and wondered if it was genuine? Scammers frequently imitate official communications to steal personal information or money. However, taxpayers can now breathe a sigh of relief. The I-T department has introduced a user-friendly online tool to verify the authenticity of any notice or order within seconds.
The I-T department’s online tool empowers users to authenticate any communication they receive. This free service is available to everyone, whether or not they are registered on the e-filing portal.
How to Use the Verification Tool
The process is simple and can be completed in a few steps:
Visit the Portal: Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal at Income Tax Portal.
Find the Verification Link: Under "Quick Links," click on "Authenticate Notice/Order Issued by ITD."
Choose Verification Method: There are two methods to verify a notice:
Using PAN: Enter your Permanent Account Number (PAN), document type (notice, order, etc.), assessment year, date of issue, and your mobile number to receive a one-time password (OTP).
Using DIN: Enter the Document Identification Number (DIN) from the notice and your mobile number for OTP verification.
Enter OTP: After receiving the OTP on your mobile, enter it and click "Continue."
Instant Confirmation: The tool will immediately confirm if the notice is genuine. If it’s not, you can safely disregard it.
Service OverviewTaxpayer
What is the Notice Authentication Tool?
This online tool allows you to verify the authenticity of any communication from the I-T authorities, including notices, orders, summons, and letters. This ensures that the communication is genuine and not a phishing attempt.
Who Can Use the Tool?
The tool is available to everyone, regardless of whether they are registered users on the Income Tax e-filing portal. It's a pre-login service, making it accessible to all.
Steps to Authenticate a Notice
Using PAN, Document Type, Date of Issue, and Mobile Number:
Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal: Income Tax Portal.
Click on "Authenticate Notice/Order Issued by ITD" under the "Quick Links" section.
Enter your PAN, select the type of document, choose the assessment year, enter the date of issue, and provide your mobile number for OTP verification.
Enter the OTP and click "Continue."
If the information matches a genuine notice, you will receive a confirmation message. If not, the notice will be indicated as invalid.
Using Document Identification Number (DIN) and Mobile Number:
Follow steps 1 and 2 above.
Enter the DIN mentioned on the notice and provide your mobile number for OTP verification.
Enter the OTP and click "Continue."
Benefits of Using the Tool
Peace of Mind: Confirming the legitimacy of a notice before taking any action.
Scam Prevention: Helps avoid falling victim to phishing attempts that mimic official communication.
Convenience: An easy-to-use online tool accessible to everyone.
Additional Tips
The tool verifies the authenticity of the communication but not its content. For questions regarding the notice itself, it is advisable to consult a tax professional. Additionally, another way to verify the authenticity of a notice is to check the email address from which it was sent. Official communications from the tax department will come from an email ending in incometax.gov.in, such as intimations@cpc.incometax.gov.in.
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