Ask Veda

TaxClue AI · Active
Namaste! I'm Veda — TaxClue's AI assistant.

Ask me anything about GST, Income Tax, Company Registration, Trademark, or any compliance topic. I'll give you a direct answer.
Free Expert Consultation
Powered by TaxClue · India's Trusted Compliance Platform

Income Tax Login — How to Login to incometax.gov.in (AY 2026-27)

Updated: 3 June 2026  |  incometax.gov.in  |  Valid for AY 2026-27 (Tax Year 2025-26)

To log in to the income tax e-filing portal: visit incometax.gov.in → click Login → enter your PAN as User ID → enter your password → complete OTP two-factor authentication on your registered mobile. PAN must be linked with Aadhaar to access the portal (mandatory since May 2023).
PAN
Your PAN number is your User ID — no separate username needed
Portal URL: incometax.gov.in  |  Helpdesk: 1800-103-0025  |  Two-factor OTP is mandatory
PAN-Aadhaar link required. If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, it becomes inoperative and you cannot log in or file ITR. Link your PAN immediately at the portal under "Link Aadhaar" (₹1,000 fee applies for late linking).

Step-by-Step Login Guide

  1. Go to the Income Tax e-Filing Portal Open incometax.gov.in in your browser. Use Chrome or Microsoft Edge for best compatibility. Avoid Internet Explorer.
  2. Click "Login" on the Homepage The Login button is at the top-right corner of the homepage. Do not use the "e-Pay Tax" or "ITR Status" links — go to full Login.
  3. Enter Your PAN as User ID Type your 10-character PAN number (e.g., ABCDE1234F). PAN is always your User ID. Leave the "Enter your User ID" field and type PAN there.
  4. Enter Your Password Enter your e-Filing portal password. It is case-sensitive. If you set it during registration, it must have uppercase, lowercase, a number, and a special character.
  5. Complete OTP Two-Factor Authentication An OTP is sent to your registered mobile number (linked during registration). Enter the 6-digit OTP within 60 seconds. You can also use Aadhaar OTP if your Aadhaar mobile is registered.

What You Can Do After Login — Navigation Guide

Action Navigation Path Notes
File ITR (Income Tax Return) e-File → Income Tax Returns → File Income Tax Return Select AY 2026-27 for current year filing
View Form 26AS e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Form 26AS Redirects to TRACES; shows TDS/TCS credits
Download AIS / TIS Services → Annual Information Statement (AIS) Shows all financial transactions reported against your PAN
Pay Tax (Advance / Self-Assessment) e-Pay Tax → New Payment → Income Tax Select Challan 280; pay via net banking or UPI
Check Refund Status e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns Also check on tin.tin.nsdl.com
Respond to Tax Notice e-Proceedings → View Notices Upload response documents here
Link Aadhaar Profile → Aadhaar Linking (or Dashboard widget) Required if PAN is inoperative
Update Contact Details Profile → My Profile → Contact Details Keep mobile and email updated for OTPs

First-Time Registration — New User Guide

STEP 1

Go to Register on the Portal

Visit incometax.gov.in → click "Register" (top-right) → select "Taxpayer" as the registration type → enter your PAN. PAN becomes your permanent User ID.

STEP 2

Validate Mobile and Email

Enter your active mobile number and email address. OTPs are sent to both. Preferably use the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar. Both OTPs must be verified within 60 seconds each.

STEP 3

Set a Secure Password

Create a password: 8+ characters, must include uppercase (A-Z), lowercase (a-z), a digit (0-9), and a special character (!, @, #, etc.). Avoid using your name, PAN, or date of birth as password.

COMPLETE

Registration Confirmed — Login Immediately

After registration, you can log in right away with PAN + new password + OTP. Your e-Filing dashboard will show your ITR filing history, TDS credits, and refund status.

Common Errors & Fixes

ERROR

PAN Not Linked with Aadhaar — Login Blocked

If your PAN is inoperative, the portal shows "Your PAN has been made inoperative." Fix: go to incometax.gov.in → "Link Aadhaar" (visible without login). Pay the ₹1,000 penalty challan first, then link. PAN is reactivated within 4-7 working days.

ERROR

Mobile Number Not Registered / OTP Not Received

If you changed your mobile number and can't receive OTP: use "Forgot Password" with bank account validation or net banking to reset and update your mobile. Alternatively, visit a designated income tax office with PAN + Aadhaar proof to update contact details.

ERROR

Account Locked After 5 Failed Attempts

Wait 24 hours for auto-unlock, or use "Forgot Password" to unlock immediately. Call helpdesk 1800-103-4455 if still locked. Ensure caps lock is off when typing your password — it is case-sensitive.

Portal note: The income tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) was revamped in June 2021. The current portal version supports PAN-based login, Aadhaar OTP authentication, and pre-filled ITR filing. For AY 2026-27 (Tax Year 2025-26), ITR filing opens from April 2026 with the deadline typically 31 July 2026 for non-audit cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my income tax portal password if I forgot it?
Go to incometax.gov.in → Login → click "Forgot Password." You can reset via: (1) Aadhaar OTP — OTP sent to mobile linked with Aadhaar; (2) Net banking validation — log in through your bank's net banking and confirm your PAN; (3) Bank account validation — enter your bank account number and registered mobile OTP; (4) Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — if you have a valid DSC registered on the portal. After reset, you'll need to complete the OTP two-factor authentication using your registered mobile number.
Is PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory to log in to the income tax portal?
Yes, PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory since May 2023. If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, your PAN becomes inoperative — you will not be able to log in, file ITR, or receive refunds. To link: go to e-Filing portal → "Link Aadhaar" → enter PAN, Aadhaar number, and name. A fee of ₹1,000 applies for late linking (after the deadline). After linking, PAN is reactivated within 4-7 working days.
What should I do if the income tax portal is not working or showing errors?
Common fixes: (1) Clear browser cache and cookies, then try again; (2) Use a different browser — Chrome or Edge recommended, avoid Internet Explorer; (3) Try incognito/private mode; (4) Disable browser extensions that may block scripts; (5) Check the portal's status on the official Twitter handle @IncomeTaxIndia for announced maintenance windows; (6) The portal is typically slower during March and July-August (peak filing season) — try during off-peak hours (early morning or late night). If issues persist, call the helpdesk: 1800-103-0025.
How do I log in to the income tax portal for the first time?
For first-time registration: Go to incometax.gov.in → Register → Select "Taxpayer" → Enter PAN (this becomes your User ID) → Validate mobile number and email → Set a secure password. OTPs will be sent to both your mobile and email for verification. After registration, you can log in immediately using PAN + password + OTP. Ensure your mobile number is the one linked to your Aadhaar, as OTPs may be sent there for Aadhaar-based authentication.
My income tax portal account is locked after failed login attempts — what do I do?
The portal locks your account after 5 consecutive failed login attempts as a security measure. To unlock: wait 24 hours for automatic unlock, or use "Forgot Password" to reset and simultaneously unlock your account. If the account remains locked, call the CPC helpline at 1800-103-4455 or submit a grievance on the portal. Ensure you are entering the correct password (case-sensitive). If you use auto-fill, it may enter an old/incorrect password — type it manually.

Related Pages

File Your ITR for AY 2026-27

Once logged in, file your Income Tax Return online — pre-filled data from Form 26AS and AIS makes it faster. We guide you step by step.

File ITR Now →