Income Tax Portal Password Forgot? How to Reset Login

Forgot your Income Tax e-filing portal password? This is one of the most common issues faced by taxpayers. The new Income Tax portal (eportal.incometax.gov.in) provides multiple ways to reset your password. This guide covers all methods step by step.

Before You Start

• Your User ID is your PAN number
• Ensure your mobile number and email linked to the portal are active
• If you have never registered, you need to create a new account (see below)

Method 1: Reset Using Aadhaar OTP (Easiest)

This is the fastest method if your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN and your mobile number is updated in Aadhaar.

1. Visit Income Tax e-Filing Portal Login
2. Click "Forgot Password?"
3. Enter your PAN as User ID and click Continue
4. Select "Reset password using Aadhaar OTP"
5. Click "Generate Aadhaar OTP"
6. Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your Aadhaar-registered mobile number
7. Set a new password (must include uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character)
8. Click "Submit" — your password is reset

Method 2: Reset Using OTP on Registered Email/Mobile

1. Visit the login page and click "Forgot Password?"
2. Enter your PAN and click Continue
3. Select "Reset password using registered email ID / mobile number"
4. An OTP is sent to your registered email and mobile
5. Enter the OTP and set a new password
6. Click Submit

Note: This works only if the email and mobile registered on the portal are still active.

Method 3: Reset Using Security Questions

If you had set up security questions during registration:

1. Click "Forgot Password?" on login page
2. Enter PAN and click Continue
3. Select "Reset password using security question"
4. Answer the security questions correctly
5. Set a new password and submit

Note: This option is available only if you had configured security questions earlier.

Method 4: Reset Using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

For taxpayers who use DSC for filing:

1. Click "Forgot Password?"
2. Enter PAN and click Continue
3. Select "Reset password using DSC"
4. Attach your DSC (USB token must be connected)
5. The system verifies the DSC against your PAN
6. Set a new password and submit

If None of the Above Methods Work

Update Contact Details via e-Filing Portal

If your registered mobile and email are no longer active:

1. Visit the portal and click "Forgot Password?"
2. Enter PAN and click Continue
3. Select "Unable to receive OTP" or similar option
4. You may need to verify through Aadhaar OTP or bank account validation
5. Update your mobile number and email
6. Then proceed with password reset

Visit Income Tax Office

As a last resort:

1. Visit your jurisdictional Income Tax office
2. Carry original PAN card, Aadhaar card, and ID proof
3. Submit a written request for password reset
4. The office will update your contact details and help reset access

New Registration on Income Tax Portal

If you have never registered on the new portal:

1. Visit Registration Page
2. Select your User Type (Individual, HUF, etc.)
3. Enter your PAN number
4. Validate via OTP sent to mobile/email linked to your PAN in Income Tax records
5. Set your password, security questions, and profile details
6. Complete registration

Note: If you were registered on the old portal (incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in), your account was automatically migrated. Use the same PAN as User ID.

Password Requirements

Your Income Tax portal password must meet these rules:

• Minimum 8 characters, maximum 14 characters
• At least one uppercase letter (A-Z)
• At least one lowercase letter (a-z)
• At least one number (0-9)
• At least one special character (!@#$%^&*)
• Must not contain your PAN number

Important Tips

1. Save your password in a secure password manager — you'll need it every filing season
2. Update your mobile number on the portal whenever you change your phone number
3. Aadhaar OTP is the easiest reset method — ensure your Aadhaar mobile is updated
4. Don't wait until filing deadline to reset password — the portal gets slow during peak season
5. Check for browser issues — use Chrome or Edge and clear cache if the portal is not loading

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the User ID for Income Tax portal login?

Your User ID is your PAN number (10-character alphanumeric code).

Q2. I'm not receiving OTP for password reset. What to do?

Check if your registered mobile is active. If not, try Aadhaar OTP method. If Aadhaar mobile is also different, visit the Income Tax office for manual reset.

Q3. Can I reset password without Aadhaar?

Yes. You can use registered email/mobile OTP, security questions, or DSC. If none work, visit the Income Tax office.

Q4. My old portal account is not working on new portal. Why?

Accounts were migrated automatically. Try logging in with your PAN. If it doesn't work, use "Forgot Password" to reset. If still failing, re-register.

Q5. How often can I reset my password?

There is no limit on password resets. You can reset as many times as needed.

Q6. I remember my password but login is failing. What to do?

Clear browser cache, try incognito mode, or use a different browser. Ensure CAPS LOCK is off. If still failing, reset your password.

Q7. Can someone else reset my Income Tax password?

No. Password reset requires OTP on your registered mobile/email or Aadhaar-linked mobile. No one else can reset it without access to your phone.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Income Tax Department or any government body. Information is based on official sources and may change. Always verify on the official Income Tax portal.