Income Tax Return: CBDT notifies ITR Form V for AY 2025-26

The CBDT notified the revised ITR-V form for AY2025-26, introducing enhanced verification requirements for e-filed returns without digital signatures. The new form mandates additional declarations about return authenticity and penal consequences of misreporting. Key changes include: (1) mandatory PAN-Aadhaar linkage confirmation, (2) disclosure of foreign asset details even for non-residents, and (3) QR code embedding for easy verification. Taxpayers must now physically sign the ITR-V in blue ink (no black allowed) when submitting to CPC Bengaluru. These anti-fraud measures aim to curb bogus filings but increase compliance burdens. Professionals note the changes particularly affect NRI and senior citizen filers less familiar with digital processes. The updated form aligns with broader efforts to enhance return integrity through multi-layered verification.