Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) return filing is a vital compliance responsibility for businesses and deductors in India. Once TDS is deducted and deposited with the government, the next crucial step is filing quarterly TDS returns accurately. But filing alone is not enough—e-verification and obtaining proper acknowledgement are essential to ensure the filing is complete and accepted by the Income Tax Department.
In this blog, we will walk you through the e-verification and acknowledgement process for TDS return filing and show how OurTaxPartner.com simplifies the entire process for businesses in Kerala and across India.
Overview of the TDS Filing Lifecycle
Here’s a quick summary of the TDS compliance process:
- Deduct TDS from applicable payments like salary, contractor fees, rent, interest, etc.
- Deposit TDS using Challan ITNS 281 within the prescribed due date.
- File quarterly TDS returns in the appropriate form (24Q, 26Q, 27Q).
- Verify the return through e-verification and generate acknowledgement.
It is the fourth step—e-verification and acknowledgement—that many businesses overlook or do incorrectly, which may result in non-acceptance of the return, leading to notices or mismatch errors later.
What is E-verification in TDS Return Filing?
After preparing and uploading the TDS return file (.fvu format) on the TRACES portal or through the TIN-NSDL portal, it needs to be authenticated. This authentication is known as e-verification, and it is essential for return processing and generation of a valid acknowledgement.
TDS returns can be e-verified in any of the following three ways:
- Using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) – Most common and secure method for businesses and organizations.
- Using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) – Generated via net banking, Aadhaar OTP, or through a pre-validated bank account.
- Physical submission of Form 27A – Allowed only under certain cases, but being phased out in favor of e-verification.
DSC-Based E-verification
To use a DSC, it must be registered on the e-filing portal under the TAN login. DSC must be Class 2 or Class 3, issued in the name of the authorized signatory.
EVC-Based E-verification
EVC is suitable for deductors not using DSC. However, the deductor must have pre-validated their bank account or PAN-Aadhaar linkage. An OTP is generated and used to verify the uploaded return.
Both methods are secure and equally valid, and once the return is verified, it moves to the next step—generation of acknowledgement.
Acknowledgement of TDS Return Filing
After successful filing and verification of the TDS return, the Income Tax Department generates a confirmation in the form of an provisional acknowledgement or token number. This acknowledgement acts as proof of return submission and should be preserved for future reference, audits, or communications.
The acknowledgement contains:
- Token Number (15-digit unique reference)
- Date of Filing
- Status of Filing (Accepted, Rejected)
- Form Type and Quarter
- Details of the Deductor
If there are errors in the return, the acknowledgement status will reflect “Rejected,” along with reasons such as:
- Invalid PAN entries
- Mismatch in challan details
- Incorrect TDS section code
In such cases, the return needs to be corrected and re-submitted. That’s why it’s critical to work with professionals who ensure zero errors from the start.
How OurTaxPartner.com Supports TDS E-verification
OurTaxPartner.com offers complete support for TDS compliance including:
- Preparation of TDS returns using approved utilities
- Validation of all PAN and challan details
- Upload of .fvu file to the TRACES or e-filing portal
- E-verification using DSC or EVC
- Download and archival of acknowledgement/token
- Correction and re-filing if any mismatch arises
Whether you’re a small business in Kerala or a growing firm across India, OurTaxPartner.com ensures 100% accurate TDS return submission, verification, and documentation.
Steps to Complete E-verification Through Our Support
- We collect your TAN, challan details, and deductee data
- Prepare .fvu file using RPU and validate using FVU tool
- Upload the return file to TRACES or e-filing portal
- Assist in e-verification using DSC or generate EVC via net banking
- Download and deliver the acknowledgement for your records
Need expert help? Visit www.ourtaxpartner.com/filing-service/tds-compliance/ to get started with reliable TDS filing and verification services.
Conclusion
Filing a TDS return is not complete unless it is properly verified and acknowledged. E-verification ensures that your return is accepted by the system and ready for further processing. Businesses that ignore or delay this step may face complications, including penalties or notices from the department.
For seamless and error-free TDS return filing, verification, and acknowledgement management, rely on Kerala’s trusted partner—OurTaxPartner.com.
Stay compliant, stay safe. Ensure every TDS return is correctly verified and acknowledged with professional support.
