In a major move to boost security and prevent fraud, the Income Tax Department has tightened the rules for updating your contact details on the income tax e-filing portal. From now on, if you wish to change your registered mobile number or email ID, you can’t just do it with a simple click — you must verify your identity using an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
This small but crucial update comes as part of the department’s wider efforts to make the tax filing ecosystem safer and more transparent for millions of taxpayers across India.
In the past, the process to update your mobile number or email ID on the I-T portal was relatively easy. But this convenience came with a serious risk: it opened the door for fraudsters to misuse taxpayer accounts.
There have been instances where unauthorized individuals gained access to someone’s tax profile and changed their contact details. Once they did that, they could intercept crucial OTPs and confidential communications from the Income Tax Department. In some cases, this led to fake refund claims or unauthorized changes in tax information.
By making Aadhaar OTP mandatory for such changes, the department is ensuring that only the genuine taxpayer — who holds the Aadhaar-linked mobile number — can approve updates to their own profile.
Let’s say you want to update your registered mobile number on the I-T portal because you have switched to a new SIM or email ID. Here’s what you’ll need to do now:
✅ Log in to your account on the Income Tax e-filing portal.
✅ Go to your profile section and select the update option for mobile number or email ID.
✅ Enter the new number or email ID you want to use.
✅ An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
✅ Enter this OTP to verify your identity.
✅ Only after successful verification will your new contact information be updated.
This ensures that no one except you can make these sensitive changes.
This isn’t the only area where Aadhaar verification has become stricter. Starting July 1, 2025, if you are applying for a new PAN card, simply submitting your Aadhaar number won’t be enough. You must also complete Aadhaar e-verification online.
According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), your PAN application will not be accepted unless your Aadhaar is linked and verified through OTP. This means you must keep your Aadhaar details updated and ensure that your mobile number is active to receive OTPs without delay.
On the surface, these added steps may feel like a hassle, but they serve an important purpose:
✔️ Better security: Fraudsters can no longer hijack your profile by manipulating your contact details.
✔️ Reduced duplicate PAN cards: Linking Aadhaar helps the government weed out fake or duplicate PANs, making the tax system cleaner.
✔️ More transparency: With Aadhaar as a unique identity, every taxpayer is easily traceable, reducing the scope for tax evasion and identity theft.
Aadhaar is now an essential KYC document for most financial and tax-related tasks. If you don’t have an Aadhaar or your mobile number is not linked to it, you may face hurdles in:
❌ Updating your I-T portal profile
❌ Applying for a new PAN card
❌ Availing certain deductions and benefits
So, it’s strongly recommended that you link your mobile number to your Aadhaar if you haven’t done so yet. You can update your mobile number at your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra by providing biometric verification.
The Income Tax Department’s new guidelines are clear — your Aadhaar is now the backbone of your digital tax identity. Whether you want to change your mobile number, update your email ID, or apply for a PAN, you must verify it through Aadhaar OTP.
So, before you start your next tax filing or profile update, make sure:
Your Aadhaar is active and correctly linked.
Your mobile number is updated with UIDAI.
You can receive OTPs instantly.
A small step today can protect you from big hassles tomorrow. As fraud cases grow more sophisticated, these checks ensure your tax data and refunds stay secure — and only in your hands.
