Got an income tax notice? Here is how to check if it is genuine before responding

According to the Income Tax Department’s FAQ on “Authenticate Notice/Order Issued by ITD”, taxpayers can verify the authenticity of notices, orders, summons, letters or other communications received from the department through the e-filing portal.

The department has stated that every communication issued by Income Tax authorities on or after October 1, 2019, must carry a unique Document Identification Number (DIN). Taxpayers can use the authentication service to confirm whether the document is genuine and officially issued.

Why is it important to authenticate an Income Tax notice?

Fake tax notices have become a common tool used by fraudsters to create panic and trick people into sharing personal details or making payments. Verifying a notice before taking action can help taxpayers avoid such scams.

How will authentication help taxpayers?

• Taxpayers can check whether the communication was actually issued by the Income Tax Department.

• A verification check can protect taxpayers from fake notices asking for urgent payments or confidential information.

• Communications without a valid DIN are treated as invalid and non-est in law, subject to applicable exceptions.

• Confirming the notice helps taxpayers respond appropriately instead of ignoring a genuine communication or acting on a fake one.

What is DIN?

DIN stands for Document Identification Number. It is a computer-generated unique number that must be mentioned on communications such as notices, orders, letters or other correspondence issued by Income Tax authorities.

How can taxpayers verify an Income Tax notice?

The Income Tax Department provides two ways to authenticate a communication.

• PAN

• Document type

• Assessment Year

• Date of issue

• Mobile number

After entering the OTP received on the mobile number, taxpayers can check whether the notice exists in the department’s records.

Taxpayers can also verify the notice by entering the Document Identification Number (DIN) mentioned on the communication along with their mobile number. After OTP verification, the portal will confirm the authenticity of the document.

Do taxpayers need to log in to verify a notice?

No. As per the Income Tax Department FAQ, taxpayers do not need to log in to their e-filing account to authenticate a notice. The service can be accessed directly through the e-filing portal.

What should taxpayers keep in mind when using authentication service?

The OTP remains valid for 15 minutes.

Taxpayers get three attempts to enter the correct OTP.

If the OTP expires, a fresh OTP can be generated using the resend option.

Verifying an Income Tax notice before responding can help taxpayers avoid fraud.

Can a taxpayer use another mobile number for OTP?

Yes. The mobile number used for authentication does not necessarily have to be the one registered on the e-filing portal. Taxpayers can provide any accessible mobile number to receive the OTP.