Registered users of the Income Tax Department e-Filing portal can reset a forgotten password through the portal's official recovery service. The recovery options shown to you may vary according to your taxpayer category, account configuration and e-Filing Vault Higher Security settings.
How to Reset a Forgotten Income Tax e-Filing Password
-
Open the official e-Filing portal.
Visit the Income Tax Department e-Filing website and select Login. -
Enter your User ID.
For an individual taxpayer, the User ID is generally the PAN. Aadhaar may also be usable where PAN and Aadhaar are linked and the portal permits Aadhaar login. -
Select Forgot Password.
Continue to the login screen, choose the password login option and click Forgot Password. -
Enter or confirm the User ID.
On the Forgot Password page, enter the required User ID and continue. -
Select an available password-reset method.
The portal may offer Aadhaar OTP, e-Filing OTP, Bank Account EVC, Demat Account EVC, Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Net Banking. The methods visible in your account can depend on eligibility and security settings. -
Complete identity verification.
Follow the on-screen instructions for the selected method. Enter the OTP or EVC, use DSC, or complete Net Banking verification as applicable. -
Create the new password.
Enter the new password, confirm it and submit. After a successful reset, the portal provides confirmation and a transaction ID.
Password Reset Methods Available on the e-Filing Portal
- Aadhaar OTP: OTP sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar, where eligible.
- e-Filing OTP: Verification using the contact details registered with the e-Filing portal.
- Bank Account EVC: EVC generated through an eligible pre-validated bank account.
- Demat Account EVC: EVC generated through an eligible pre-validated demat account.
- DSC: Password recovery using an eligible registered Digital Signature Certificate.
- Net Banking: Password reset through supported Net Banking access where the option is available.
How to Change Your Password When You Can Already Log In
Password change is different from password reset. If you remember your current password, log in to the e-Filing portal and use the Change Password option available from the dashboard. Enter the current password, enter and confirm the new password, and submit.
The Income Tax Department states that the new password cannot be the same as any of the previous three passwords.
Official Help and User Manuals
For the most current instructions, eligibility requirements and screen-by-screen process, refer to the Income Tax Department's official help pages.
Official: Reset Your Password
Official: Change Your Password
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my User ID for Income Tax e-Filing?
For individual taxpayers, PAN is ordinarily the User ID. Aadhaar can also be used in eligible cases where PAN and Aadhaar are linked.
Can I reset the password with Aadhaar OTP?
Yes, where the Aadhaar OTP option is available and the required PAN-Aadhaar and mobile-number conditions are satisfied.
Can I reset the password through a bank or demat account?
The portal supports EVC-based recovery using eligible pre-validated bank or demat accounts. Availability depends on the options enabled for the account.
Can I use Net Banking to reset the password?
Net Banking is included among the password-reset methods in the official e-Filing user manual, subject to availability for the user.
How do I know the password was reset successfully?
After successful completion, the e-Filing portal displays a confirmation with a transaction ID and sends confirmation to registered contact details.
Disclaimer: This page is for general information and guidance. It is not an official Income Tax Department website and does not collect your e-Filing password, OTP, EVC or other login credentials. Procedures and portal options may change. Verify current requirements on the official Income Tax Department e-Filing portal before proceeding.