Warning to ITR filers! Learn how to identify genuine and fake income tax notices

After filing your Income Tax Return (ITR), if you receive an email, SMS or notice claiming to be from the Income Tax Department, it can be costly to respond without verifying it. Cybercriminals are sending fake notices claiming to be from the Income Tax Department, trying to get people’s bank details, OTPs and lost money. Therefore, before acting on any notice, it is important to ensure that it has actually been issued by the Income Tax Department

First of all, please check the DIN number.

Every valid notice, order or letter issued by the Income Tax Department carries a Document Identification Number (DIN). This is a unique number that can be used to verify the authenticity of the notice. If a notice does not have a DIN or looks suspicious, investigate it first instead of reacting immediately. Taxpayers can check the authenticity of the notice by accessing the e-filing portal of the Income Tax Department using their DIN or PAN. In many cases, this doesn’t even require logging in. OTP verification will determine whether the notice is genuine or fraudulent.

Identify fake notifications by these signs

According to experts, if an email or notice pressures you to make an immediate payment, threatens arrest or legal action, or asks you to click on a suspicious link, be wary. Similarly, if you are asked to make payment to UPI, gift card or personal bank account, this may also be a sign of cyber fraud. The Income Tax Department never seeks collection or payment of tax through such means.
See also email sender address

The official email ID of the Income Tax Department usually comes from the @incometax.gov.in domain. If the email comes from another domain or suspicious address, avoid opening it or clicking on any links. Also, check any attachments before downloading them.
What to do after receiving notice?

If you get income tax notice, there is no need to panic. First, verify its authenticity on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. If the notice is correct, respond within the prescribed time frame. However, if the notice looks suspicious, do not share any personal information, make any payment or refrain from clicking on any link.
Consult a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a tax expert if necessary. A little caution can save you from serious cyber fraud like financial loss and identity theft. Therefore, it is better to verify the veracity of every notification that comes from the Income Tax Department instead of assuming that it is correct.