Can PAN Be Used for e-Verification Through Bank in India

Yes, PAN (Permanent Account Number) is essential for e-verifying your Income Tax Return (ITR) through a pre-validated bank account. While the PAN itself is not directly used to generate the e-Verification Code (EVC), it plays a crucial role in linking your bank account with the Income Tax Department.

• PAN Requirement for Bank-Based e-Verification

• Your PAN must be linked to your bank account used for e-verification.

• Only pre-validated and EVC-enabled bank accounts are eligible for generating EVC.

• The bank account must match your name, PAN, and mobile/email records for successful validation.

• The Income Tax portal uses PAN to fetch and verify the linked account from your bank.

• Steps to Use Bank Account for e-Verification

• Log in to using your PAN and password.

• Go to ‘My Profile’ → ‘Bank Account’ and pre-validate your account with correct PAN and contact details.

• Once validated, choose the ‘e-Verify Return’ option after filing your ITR.

• Select ‘Generate EVC through Bank Account’ and enter the OTP received on your registered mobile/email.

• List of Eligible Banks for EVC Generation

• Most leading banks like SBI, ICICI, HDFC, Axis, Kotak Mahindra, Canara Bank, and IDBI support this service.

• The bank must be authorized by the Income Tax Department for EVC services.

• You can also verify eligibility under the ‘Pre-validate Bank Account’ section on the portal.

• New banks may be added periodically; ensure your bank is EVC-enabled and PAN-linked.

• Why PAN Is Critical in This Process

• PAN uniquely identifies the taxpayer and ensures consistency across bank and IT records.

• It allows secure data exchange between the bank and the tax department.

• PAN mismatch during validation will block EVC generation and return verification.

• PAN-linked bank details also help in direct refund credit after return processing.

• Best Practices for Seamless e-Verification

• Ensure your bank KYC includes accurate PAN, mobile, and email details.

• Complete bank account validation well in advance to avoid delays during ITR filing.

• Use the same PAN-linked account for both e-verification and refund credit.

• Keep your mobile number and email updated with the bank to receive EVC OTP.