Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is an essential financial task for every taxpayer in India. Once you successfully file your return, the Income Tax Department generates an ITR-V Acknowledgement—an important document that confirms your filing. However, this document comes in a password-protected PDF format, which can confuse many first-time users. Understanding what ITR-V is, how to access it, and how to verify your return properly is crucial to avoid processing delays. This guide simplifies each step, from downloading the ITR-V to unlocking the PDF and completing your e-verification. Whether you e-verify your return or send the physical copy, this article will help you do it the right way, smoothly and confidently.
What is ITR-V?
ITR-V stands for ‘Income Tax Return–Verification’. It is an important one-page document that serves as an acknowledgement of your income tax return filing. When you file your ITR online without using a digital signature, the Income Tax Department generates an ITR-V form as proof that your return has been submitted successfully. This form needs to be verified either electronically (e-verification) or physically (by posting it to the Centralised Processing Centre in Bengaluru). Without verification, your return remains incomplete. The ITR-V contains essential details such as your PAN, name, assessment year, submission date, and more. It is generated in PDF format and comes password-protected for security. This form must be verified within 30 days from the date of ITR submission. Failing to do so may result in the return being treated as invalid. You can easily download the ITR-V from the official Income Tax e-filing portal.
What is the ITR PDF password and its format?
The ITR-V acknowledgement PDF is password-protected to ensure taxpayer data privacy. To open it, you need to enter a specific password. This password is auto-generated and follows a fixed format as defined by the Income Tax Department. The password is a combination of your PAN (in lowercase letters) and your date of birth (or date of incorporation for companies) in DDMMYYYY format. For instance, if your PAN is ABCDE1234F and your date of birth is 15th August 1990, then your password will be abcde1234f15081990. Enter this exact string without any spaces. If the details are entered incorrectly, the file will not open. This format remains consistent for all taxpayers. It is important to input both components carefully to access the file without issues.
Steps to open the ITR-V acknowledgement PDF file with the password
Opening the ITR-V file is simple once you know the steps. First, ensure you’ve downloaded the ITR-V PDF from the official income tax e-filing portal. The file will be password-protected for data security. Open it using any PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat. When prompted for a password, enter it in the format prescribed: your PAN in lowercase followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format, without any spaces. For example, if your PAN is abcde1234f and your birthdate is 10 January 1992, enter abcde1234f10011992. If entered correctly, the PDF will open, displaying your ITR-V details. Ensure that the data matches your return submission. You can then proceed to e-verify your return or print the form for physical submission if needed. This step is crucial to complete the filing process.
Step 1: Log in to the Income Tax E-Filing Website
To begin the ITR-V download process, visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal. Click on the “Login” button at the top-right corner of the homepage. Enter your User ID, which is your PAN number, and complete the CAPTCHA. Once prompted, provide your password and log in. After successful login, you will be taken to your dashboard. Ensure you have a stable internet connection and the correct login credentials. If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” link to reset it. Always keep your registered mobile number and email updated for OTP verifications. This login step is mandatory to access your previously filed income tax returns and download the ITR-V acknowledgement form safely.
Step 2: Navigate to view filed returns
After logging into the Income Tax e-Filing portal, go to the top menu and click on ‘e-File’. From the dropdown, select ‘Income Tax Returns’ and then click on ‘View Filed Returns’. This section provides a list of all returns filed by you for various assessment years. You can view the status of each return, whether it is pending verification, successfully verified, or processed. Make sure you select the correct assessment year for which you want the ITR-V. This page is also helpful in checking if your return has been processed by the Income Tax Department. You can filter results using date ranges or return types to find your required file faster. Once located, proceed to download the ITR-V form. This method is essential for both individuals and businesses to retrieve ITRs efficiently.
Step 3: Download the ITR-V acknowledgement
Once you reach the ‘View Filed Returns’ section, you will find a list of your filed ITRs. Look for the row corresponding to the return you want the acknowledgement for. On the right side of that row, click the ‘Download Form’ or ‘Acknowledgement’ button. The ITR-V PDF file will be downloaded to your system in a few seconds. Save the file in an easily accessible location on your device. This file contains essential information such as PAN, name, filing date, and verification status. Keep a copy of this form for future reference. It is mandatory to verify this ITR-V within 30 days of filing to complete your return process. If you prefer, you can also print it out and physically post it to CPC Bengaluru. Always ensure that the file is downloaded only from the official government portal for authenticity.
Step 4: Prepare to open the password-protected PDF
After downloading your ITR-V PDF, locate the file on your device. It is usually named using your PAN and assessment year. Open it using a trusted PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat Reader. When you attempt to open the file, a password prompt will appear. Before entering it, make sure you’ve verified the correct PAN and date of birth (or incorporation date) used during filing. Close any other software that may interfere with your PDF reader. Double-check if the CAPS LOCK is off and your keyboard layout is correct. Also, ensure the system clock is accurate, as it may affect secure file access. You’re now ready to input the password in the correct format. If the password is entered wrongly multiple times, restart your PDF reader and try again. Preparing properly avoids unnecessary delays and login failures during the verification process.
Step 5: Enter the ITR-V PDF password
Once the password prompt appears, enter the correct combination in the given format. The password is your PAN in lowercase letters followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (no spaces). For example, if your PAN is abcde1234f and your date of birth is 01 July 1990, type abcde1234f01071990. Ensure there are no typing errors, and use only lowercase letters for the PAN portion. If the password is correct, the PDF will unlock and display the ITR-V form. In case of repeated failures, re-confirm the entered data or reset your PAN information from the income tax profile section. It’s advisable to store this password format securely for future use. This verification ensures document security and prevents unauthorised access. The ITR-V form can now be printed or digitally verified as per your preferred submission method.
How to e-verify your income tax returns (ITR)
E-verification is a digital method of validating your ITR without sending a physical copy. It must be completed within 30 days of filing your return. The Income Tax Department offers multiple e-verification methods that are fast, safe, and paperless. These include Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, Demat Account verification, Bank ATM, or by using a pre-validated bank account. Once you choose the method, follow the guided steps to submit the electronic verification code (EVC). After successful verification, your ITR is marked as "verified", and no further action is required. You will receive a confirmation email and SMS from the department. E-verification saves time, eliminates postal delays, and is considered legally valid. It is suitable for salaried individuals, freelancers, and businesses alike. Always keep a copy of the acknowledgment for your records. For detailed steps, refer to the official e-filing portal.
Online (e-verification) methods
The Income Tax Department offers several online methods to e-verify your ITR securely. These include verification via Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, Bank Account-based EVC, Demat Account-based EVC, and using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Aadhaar OTP is the most commonly used method, where a one-time password is sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. With Net Banking, you can log in to your bank’s portal and directly verify the ITR. If your bank account is pre-validated on the e-filing portal, you can request an EVC and enter it to complete the process. Similarly, if you’ve linked your Demat account, you can generate and submit an EVC via depository services. For professionals and companies, DSC is a mandatory method. All methods are accessible through the e-verification portal. E-verification is hassle-free and eliminates the need to send ITR-V physically.
Offline (physical submission) method
If you're unable to complete e-verification, you can physically submit your ITR-V form. After downloading and printing the form, sign it in blue ink at the designated place. Do not staple or attach any other documents. Fold it neatly and send it in an A4-size envelope to: Centralised Processing Centre (CPC), Income Tax Department, Bengaluru – 560500, Karnataka, India. Ensure the envelope is sent via ordinary post or speed post only, as courier or registered posts are not accepted. This must be done within 30 days of filing your ITR. Once received, the CPC will send a confirmation via SMS and email. If no acknowledgement is received within 2 weeks, consider resending. Though slower than e-verification, this method is still valid and commonly used by taxpayers who lack Aadhaar linkage or digital access. It’s crucial to retain postal proof for your records.
Things to remember while sending ITR V or acknowledgment form
When opting for physical submission of ITR-V, certain points must be kept in mind. Print the form clearly on A4 paper and sign it in blue ink. Avoid scanning, faxing, or sending a photocopy. Do not attach supporting documents or write anything on the reverse side. Use a clean envelope without folds or staples and mail it only via Speed Post or Ordinary Post, not courier. Address the envelope correctly to CPC, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru – 560500. Ensure it reaches within 30 days of e-filing. Delayed or improperly sent forms may lead to invalidation of the ITR. Keep the speed post receipt safely for tracking. After submission, wait for a confirmation SMS/email acknowledging receipt. If not received in 2 weeks, check the status on the portal and consider re-sending. Following these steps ensures proper filing and prevents notices or penalties.
Conclusion
Understanding the ITR-V process is essential for completing your income tax return correctly. Whether you choose to e-verify or send the form physically, timely verification is crucial. Always use the official e-filing website for downloading and tracking returns. The password-protected ITR-V PDF ensures your data remains secure, and the standard password format makes access simple. E-verification is recommended for faster processing, but the physical method remains a valid fallback. Paying attention to small details like signature ink, post method, and document format can help avoid rejections. Keep your login credentials and PAN details safe, and store ITR acknowledgements securely. By following these steps diligently, you can ensure your tax compliance is smooth and hassle-free every year.
