Forgetting your Income Tax e-Filing password is a common issue because many taxpayers access their account only during ITR filing. Without the correct password, you cannot log in to the Income Tax portal, check your previous returns, download documents, or complete important tax-related services.
The Income Tax Department provides multiple options to reset your e-Filing password securely using OTP verification, Aadhaar, bank account verification, demat account verification, Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), and other available methods.
In this guide, you will learn the complete process of resetting your ITR filing password, the documents/details required, and solutions for common password reset problems.
Why Do You Need to Reset Your ITR Password?
You may need to reset your Income Tax e-Filing password in situations like:
• You forgot your existing password
• Your password is not working while logging in
• You entered the wrong password multiple times
• You have not used your Income Tax account for a long time
• You want to create a new password for security reasons
Resetting your password does not affect your PAN details, filed ITRs, refund status, or other information available on your account.
What is Required Before Resetting ITR Filing Password?
Before starting the password reset process, keep these details ready:
• PAN number (your e-Filing user ID)
• Registered mobile number
• Registered email ID
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number (if using Aadhaar OTP method)
• Access to bank account/demat account (if choosing EVC verification)
The available reset options depend on the verification methods activated for your e-Filing account.
How to Reset Your ITR Filing Password Online?
Follow these steps to reset your Income Tax e-Filing password:
Step 1: Visit Income Tax e-Filing Portal
• Open the official Income Tax e-Filing portal and click on the Login option.
• Enter your User ID and proceed to the next step.
• For individual taxpayers, the PAN number is generally used as the User ID. Aadhaar can also be used as a User ID if it is linked with PAN.
Step 2: Click on Forgot Password Option
• On the login page, enter your User ID and click on the Forgot Password option.
• The portal will redirect you to the password reset page where you need to verify your identity.
Step 3: Select Password Reset Method
The Income Tax portal provides different methods to reset your password. You can choose the option available for your account.
Available methods may include:
• Reset Password Using e-Filing OTP
This method requires access to your registered mobile number and email ID.
Process:
1. Select the e-Filing OTP option
2. Verify your date of birth details
3. Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and email ID
4. Verify the OTP
5. Create a new password
After successful verification, your new password will be updated.
Reset Password Using Aadhaar OTP
If your PAN is linked with Aadhaar, you can reset your password through Aadhaar OTP.
Steps:
1. Select Aadhaar OTP option
2. Request OTP
3. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
4. Complete verification
5. Set a new password
Make sure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active before choosing this option.
Reset Password Using Bank Account EVC
You can also reset your password using Bank Account EVC if your bank account is validated with the Income Tax portal.
Steps:
1. Select Bank Account EVC option
2. Generate EVC
3. Enter the received verification code
4. Verify your identity
5. Create a new password
Reset Password Using Demat Account EVC
If your demat account is linked and validated, you may use the demat account verification option to reset your password.
The process is similar to bank EVC verification.
Reset Password Using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Taxpayers having an active DSC can use it for identity verification.
This option is generally used by businesses, professionals, and other users who have DSC registered on the portal.
How to Create a Strong New ITR Password?
While creating your new password, make sure it follows the password requirements.
• A secure password should:
• Contain uppercase and lowercase letters
• Include numbers
• Include special characters
• Be difficult for others to guess
• Not be shared with anyone
Avoid using simple passwords like your name, mobile number, or date of birth.
What to Do If ITR Password Reset OTP Is Not Received?
Sometimes users do not receive OTP due to technical or contact detail issues.
Try these solutions:
• Check if your registered mobile number is active
• Check your email spam/junk folder
• Confirm that your mobile number and email are updated on the portal
• Wait for a few minutes and request OTP again
• Try another available verification method
Forgot ITR User ID and Password Both?
If you forgot both User ID and password, remember that your PAN is generally your User ID for the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
You can use PAN details to identify your account and continue the password recovery process.
Can I Reset ITR Password Without Mobile Number?
A registered mobile number is important for OTP-based verification. If you do not have access to your registered mobile number, you may need to update your contact details or use another available verification method provided on the portal.
