To log in to the income tax e-filing portal, open incometax.gov.in, click Login, enter your PAN as the User ID, type your password and complete the OTP two-factor authentication on your registered mobile. Your PAN must be linked with Aadhaar (mandatory since 1 July 2023) or it turns inoperative and login is blocked.
Income Tax Login Credentials
The e-filing portal uses your PAN as the permanent login ID — there is no separate username. Keep these ready before you sign in:
| Field | What to enter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portal URL | incometax.gov.in | The only official e-filing site |
| User ID | Your PAN | 10-character PAN, e.g. ABCDE1234F |
| Password | Case-sensitive password | Set during registration |
| Two-factor OTP | Mandatory | 6-digit OTP to registered mobile |
| Aadhaar OTP | Alternative | If Aadhaar mobile is registered |
| PAN-Aadhaar link | Required | Unlinked PAN is inoperative |
PAN, Aadhaar linking and OTP rules apply for AY 2026-27 (Tax Year 2025-26). Confirm on the official portal.
How to Log In to the Income Tax Portal
Five steps take you from the homepage to your dashboard. Use Chrome or Microsoft Edge for best compatibility.
- 1Open portalGo to incometax.gov.in
- 2Click LoginTop-right of the homepage
- 3Enter PANPAN is your User ID
- 4PasswordCase-sensitive
- 5OTP 2FA6-digit OTP on mobile
- Type your PAN in the User ID field — not your name or email.
- The password is case-sensitive; auto-fill often enters an old one, so type it manually.
- Enter the 6-digit OTP within 60 seconds; you can also use Aadhaar OTP if that mobile is registered.
- After login you land on the dashboard showing filed returns, TDS credits and refund status.
If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar it becomes inoperative — you cannot log in, file an ITR or receive refunds. Link it under "Link Aadhaar" (visible without logging in); a Rs1,000 late-linking fee applies and the PAN reactivates in about 7 working days.
PAN inoperative or Aadhaar not linked? Get it sorted and file on time.
Fix PAN-Aadhaar Link →What You Can Do After Login
Once signed in, the e-filing portal is where you file returns, pay tax and track everything reported against your PAN.
| Action | Where to go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File ITR | e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return | Select AY 2026-27 for the current year |
| View Form 26AS | e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS | Redirects to TRACES; shows TDS/TCS |
| Download AIS / TIS | Services → Annual Information Statement (AIS) | All transactions reported on your PAN |
| Pay tax | e-Pay Tax → New Payment → Income Tax | Advance / self-assessment; net banking or UPI |
| Check refund | e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns | Status of processing & refund |
| Respond to notice | Pending Actions → e-Proceedings | Upload response documents |
| Link Aadhaar | Profile → Link Aadhaar (or dashboard widget) | Needed if PAN is inoperative |
| Update contact | Profile → My Profile → Contact Details | Keep mobile & email live for OTPs |
Menu paths follow the current portal (revamped June 2021). Labels may shift slightly with portal updates.
Logged in and ready to file? Let a CA prepare and e-verify your return.
File My ITR →New User? Register Before You Log In
If you have never used the portal, register once — your PAN becomes your permanent User ID for every future login.
- 1Registerincometax.gov.in → Register
- 2TaxpayerChoose type, enter PAN
- 3Verify OTPMobile & email OTPs
- 4Set password8+ chars, mixed case
- Select "Taxpayer" as the registration type and enter your PAN.
- Validate an active mobile and email — OTPs go to both; prefer your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Set a strong password: 8+ characters with uppercase, lowercase, a digit and a special character.
- Registration confirmed — log in immediately with PAN + password + OTP.
For AY 2026-27 the new tax regime is the default. Salaried taxpayers pay nil tax up to about Rs12.75 lakh (Rs12 lakh rebate limit plus the Rs75,000 standard deduction) — but you still need to log in and file a return to claim a refund or report exempt income.
Not sure which regime or ITR form fits you?
Compare Old vs New Regime →Common Login Errors & Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "PAN made inoperative" | PAN not linked with Aadhaar | Link Aadhaar, pay Rs1,000 fee; reactivates ~7 days |
| Wrong password / login fails | Case-sensitivity or auto-fill | Type password manually; use Forgot Password |
| Account locked | 5 consecutive failed attempts | Wait 24 hrs for auto-unlock, or reset password |
| OTP not received | Mobile changed / not registered | Reset via net banking or bank-account validation |
| Portal errors / slow | Cache or peak filing season | Clear cache, try incognito or off-peak hours |
CPC helpline 1800-103-4455 · e-Filing helpdesk 1800-103-0025. Status updates on @IncomeTaxIndia.
- PAN linked with Aadhaar
- Registered mobile is active
- Password typed manually (case-sensitive)
- Using Chrome or Edge
- Cache & cookies cleared
- Filing during off-peak hours
On the login page choose "Forgot Password" and reset via Aadhaar OTP, net-banking validation, bank-account validation or a registered DSC. A reset also unlocks an account locked by failed attempts.
- e-Filing portal: incometax.gov.in
- Login page: eportal.incometax.gov.in
- PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory (Section 139AA) since 1 July 2023
- Portal helpdesk 1800-103-0025 · CPC 1800-103-4455
Disclaimer: This guide is general information based on the law and notifications in force when it was last updated. It is not professional advice for your case — rates, thresholds and due dates change, so check the current position or speak to our CA team before you act on it.