The new income tax filing site (https://www.incometax.gov.in/) was announced by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on May 20, 2021 and the e-filing portal was later launched on June 7, 2021. This new portal can be used to file ITRs and complete other tax-related procedures. The website has a new design and various features to makes it easier to complete all tax-related chores in a streamlined manner.
The electronic version of a physical or paper certificate is known as Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). It is used to verify an individual's or organisation's identification online or on a computer. DSC verifies an electronic document the same way a handwritten signature verifies a printed or handwritten document. DSC can also e-verify a taxpayer's returns and is also useful in many other ways.
Downloading and installing the emsigner utility (the utility can also be downloaded and installed while registering DSC)
The USB token obtained from a Certifying Authority Provider to be plugged into the computer
DSC USB token should be Class 2 or Class 3 Certificate
DSC to be registered should be active and not expired
Registering your DSC on the new income tax portal is a smooth and easy online process. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Use the login and password of the individual or authorised signatory to log in to the e-filing website (www.incometax.gov.in)
Step 2: From the login Dashboard, select ‘My Profile’
Step 3: On the left side of the screen, click on ‘Register DSC’ to create a new DSC
Step 4: Your PAN number will appear on the screen. After that select ‘I have downloaded and installed emsigner utility’. Continue by pressing ‘Enter’
Step 5: Plug the USB token into your computer's USB port and execute ‘eMBridge’
Step 6: Select the provider from the drop-down (provider information is given after the eMBridge programme has been successfully run), then select the certificate from the drop-down (DSC holder name will be shown in the drop-down)
Step 7: Type in the provider password
Step 8: Click on ‘Sign’ after entering your DSC token password
DSC is required to sign Income Tax Returns / Statutory Forms or to verify responses against notices issued by the Income Tax Department. It is also necessary for refund reissue requests for e-filing customers who have chosen this option. The user must first register their DSC with the e-filing system before signing or verifying any document.
To register for DSC on the income tax website, go to incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in and select ‘Offline Utilities’.
Here’s how you can upload your signature:
Step 1: Fill out the ITR form, generate the file as an XML file, and save it
Step 2: Go to the income tax website
Step 3: After login, pick the Assessment Year from the drop-down menu under ‘Submit Return’
Select the ‘Certificate’ option from the menu that comes after clicking on the ‘Tools’ option. A menu bar will emerge with three options, namely ‘Digitally Sign’, ‘Time Stamp’, and ‘Validate All’. You must select the option to digitally sign.