Tax alert: You can be fined even after filing your ITR before the due date in this situation

You can be fined for filing a late Income Tax Return (ITR), even if you submit it before the due date, in a specific situation.

As per a Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notification dated March 31, 2024, if the return verification is delayed by over 30 days, then the date of submission of e-verification or ITR-V is considered as the date of filing the return.

"Where the return of income is uploaded but e-verification or ITR-V is submitted after 30 days of uploading – In such cases, the date of e-verification/ITR-V submission shall be treated as the date of furnishing the return of income and all consequences of late filing of return under the Act shall follow, as applicable," the notification says.

What is the best time and way to verify ITR?

From the above, it is clear how verifying your return is so important for taxpayers. The best way to complete the verification is by using the 'e-Verify Now" option on the Income Tax e-filing portal. It doesn't take more than 2-3 minutes to complete e-verification.

Moreover, the ITR verification should also be completed as soon as possible after furnishing the return, or at least within 30 days. Even the CBDT suggested this in its 2024 notification, saying: "It is reiterated for the sake of assessee convenience that e-verification, immediately upon filing of the return is the most desirable action."

However, not many taxpayers complete the e-verification soon after furnishing their returns.

For instance, as of August 19, 2025, over 3.23 crore taxpayers have filed their returns, but only around 3.13 crore returns are verified, according to data on the e-filing portal.

What happens when ITR is verified within 30 days

If the ITR is uploaded and e-verification/lTR-V is submitted within 30 days: In such cases, the date of uploading the return of income shall be considered as the date of furnishing the return of income.

What happens in case of physical submission of ITR-V

Taxpayers are also allowed to physically complete the verification by sending the duly verified ITR-V either through ordinary or speed post or in any other mode to the following address only: Centralised Processing Centre, Income Tax Department, Bengaluru - 560500, Karnataka

In case of physical submission of ITR-V, the date on which the duly verified ITR-V is received at CPC is crucial.

If the ITR is not verified within the specified time limit, then it is treated as invalid.