Quick Answer
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.
Portal URL incometax.gov.in
User ID Your PAN
Password Case-sensitive
Final step OTP 2FA
What you need
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.
Step by step
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.
Open portalGo to incometax.gov.in
→
Click LoginTop-right of the homepage
→
Enter PANPAN is your User ID
→
PasswordCase-sensitive
→
OTP 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.
PAN-Aadhaar link is a login blocker
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 →Inside the dashboard
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 →First-time user
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.
Registerincometax.gov.in → Register
→
TaxpayerChoose type, enter PAN
→
Verify OTPMobile & email OTPs
→
Set 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.
TaxClue Insight
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 →Troubleshooting
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
Forgot your password?
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.
Government sourcese-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
People also ask
Frequently Asked Questions
Logging In
How do I log in to the income tax portal?
Open incometax.gov.in, click Login (top-right), enter your PAN as the User ID, type your case-sensitive password and complete the OTP two-factor authentication sent to your registered mobile. Enter the 6-digit OTP within 60 seconds to reach your dashboard. Use Chrome or Microsoft Edge for best compatibility.
What is the User ID for income tax login?
Your PAN is your User ID. There is no separate username on the e-filing portal — you always sign in with your 10-character PAN (for example ABCDE1234F) plus your password and an OTP. This is set the moment you register.
What is the official income tax login website?
The only official e-filing site is incometax.gov.in. The login screen itself sits at eportal.incometax.gov.in. Avoid look-alike or third-party sites asking for your PAN password; the government portal never charges a fee just to log in.
Do I need an OTP every time I log in?
Yes. OTP-based two-factor authentication is mandatory on the income tax portal. After your PAN and password, a 6-digit OTP is sent to your registered mobile number (or Aadhaar-linked mobile). You must enter it within 60 seconds to complete login.
How do I log in to the income tax portal for the first time?
First register: go to incometax.gov.in, click Register, choose "Taxpayer", enter your PAN, validate your mobile and email with OTPs, and set a secure password. PAN becomes your permanent User ID. Once registration is confirmed you can log in immediately with PAN, password and OTP.
Password & Account
How do I reset my income tax portal password if I forgot it?
On the login page click "Forgot Password". You can reset using Aadhaar OTP, net-banking validation, bank-account-number validation with a mobile OTP, or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) registered on the portal. After resetting, complete the OTP two-factor authentication on your registered mobile to sign in.
My income tax account is locked after failed login attempts — what do I do?
The portal locks the account after 5 consecutive failed attempts. It auto-unlocks after 24 hours, or you can use "Forgot Password" to reset and unlock immediately. If it stays locked, call the CPC helpline 1800-103-4455. Type the password manually — auto-fill may enter an old value and it is case-sensitive.
What are the password rules for the income tax portal?
The password must be at least 8 characters and include an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a digit and a special character (such as !, @ or #). Avoid using your name, PAN or date of birth. The password is case-sensitive at every login.
PAN-Aadhaar & OTP
Is PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory to log in?
Yes. PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory under Section 139AA. An unlinked PAN becomes inoperative, so you cannot log in, file an ITR or receive refunds. Link it under "Link Aadhaar" on the portal; a Rs1,000 late-linking fee applies and the PAN is reactivated in about 7 working days.
Why is my PAN showing as inoperative when I try to log in?
An inoperative PAN almost always means it is not linked with Aadhaar. Go to incometax.gov.in, open "Link Aadhaar" (available without logging in), pay the Rs1,000 fee challan, and complete the linking. The PAN typically reactivates within about 7 working days, after which login works normally.
I am not receiving the login OTP — what should I do?
This usually happens when your mobile number changed or is not registered. Use "Forgot Password" with net-banking or bank-account validation to reset and update your contact details, or visit a designated income tax office with PAN and Aadhaar proof to update your registered mobile. Also check network coverage and that the number is active.
Using the Portal
The income tax portal is not working — how do I fix it?
Try these: clear browser cache and cookies; switch to Chrome or Edge; use incognito/private mode; disable script-blocking extensions; and file during off-peak hours since the portal is slowest in March and July-August. Check @IncomeTaxIndia for announced maintenance. If it persists, call the helpdesk 1800-103-0025.
How do I file my ITR after logging in?
After login, go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return, select AY 2026-27, choose the correct ITR form and let the portal pre-fill your data from Form 26AS and the AIS. Verify the figures, submit and then e-verify within 30 days. For AY 2026-27 the new tax regime is the default unless you opt out.
How do I check my refund status on the portal?
Log in and go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > View Filed Returns to see the processing and refund status of each return. Refunds are credited to the pre-validated bank account linked to your PAN, so ensure that account is validated on the portal.
Can I log in to the income tax portal without a password using Aadhaar?
You still need to register and set a password first, but you can complete login using an Aadhaar OTP as the second factor if your Aadhaar-linked mobile is registered. Aadhaar OTP is also one of the ways to reset a forgotten password.
Is the income tax login the same as the ITR filing portal?
Yes. incometax.gov.in is the single e-filing portal for everything — logging in, filing your ITR, viewing Form 26AS and AIS, paying tax, tracking refunds and responding to notices. There is no separate ITR website; one login covers all of it.
If you would rather not do it yourself
Related TaxClue services
Income Tax Return FilingCA-assisted ITR filing with pre-filled data, done for you.See the service →Income Tax RefundTrack, reissue and speed up your income tax refund.See the service →PAN-Aadhaar LinkingFix an inoperative PAN and unblock portal login.See the service →Income Tax Notice HelpExpert help to read and respond to any tax notice.See the service →
TaxClue for taxpayers
Logged In — Now File Your ITR the Easy Way
Skip the portal guesswork. TaxClue's CA-led team handles regime selection, the right ITR form, pre-filled data checks and e-verification — 100% online, for AY 2026-27, across India.