To avoid any kind of security infringement while logging in to the e- tax filing portal, the Income Tax Department has introduced a new security measure called 'e-filing vault'. With this feature, besides logging in using details like your user ID (PAN number) and password, an additional security level check will be required, i.e., a dual factor authentication.

By restricting the options for login and locking the reset password options, the Income Tax Department has secured your e-filing account from possible misuse. To enable this additional secured access, here is the process of activating the e-filing vault.

Pre-requisites before activating the high-security check

The user should have registered themselves on the e-filing portal;
They should have a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) already registered with the e-filing application;
They should have linked a valid Aadhaar with PAN with the e-filing portal (for individual users);
They should have linked a valid bank account number or demat account number with PAN with the e-filing (for individual users) portal.

Steps to follow in e-filing vault to activate higher security process

Step 1
Login to your e-filing portal by entering PAN and password and captcha code

Step 2
Go to Profile Settings and click on e-Filing Vault-Higher Security option.

Step 3
You can select the required options to secure the account. Also, you will be allowed to log in and reset your password only with the above-selected option.

E-filing vault gets activated
For instance, if you select the Net banking option, you will have to log in using your Net banking credentials. This way it ensures additional security to your e-Filing account.

Once you have selected the option, you need to select the "Login through Net-Banking" and click 'Ok' and 'Proceed' tab. Hence, you will be redirected to a confirmation page.

Finally, you need to click on the "Confirmation" tab. Here's how the success message will get displayed on the screen.

Now, the next time when you will log in, you will be redirected to e-filing login through Net Banking page where you need to select your bank and then log in.

must select your bank from the list of banks provided. Once you have logged in to NetBanking account, you need to click on the link "Login to the IT e-Filing account". You will be redirected to the e-Filing dashboard, where you can view your ITR forms and other pending actions.

How you reset the password?
Suppose you forget your password, then you will be required to open the normal login page to reset the password. First, you have to click on the 'forgot password' option on the login page, then you need to enter your user ID and captcha to proceed further.