If you are planning to file your Income Tax Return (ITR), updating your bank account details on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal is one of the most important steps. Many taxpayers receive an error while filing because their bank account is not added or validated.

Whether you want to add a new bank account, change your refund bank account, update an existing account, or remove an old account, this detailed guide explains everything in simple language.

Why is it Mandatory to Add a Bank Account Before Filing ITR?

As per the Income Tax Department, every taxpayer must have at least one validated bank account on the Income Tax Portal before successfully filing an Income Tax Return.

If no bank account is added, you cannot complete your ITR filing because the portal requires bank details for refund processing and verification.

Benefits of adding your bank account:

• Mandatory for filing Income Tax Return
• Faster Income Tax Refund
• Easy refund tracking
• Secure electronic refund transfer
• Better verification of taxpayer details

Who Should Update Their Bank Account Details?

You should update your bank account if:

• You opened a new bank account.
• Your old account has been closed.
• Your IFSC code has changed.
• Your refund account is inactive.
• Your bank account validation failed.
• You want to receive your refund in another account.

Can You File ITR Without Adding a Bank Account?

No.

Without adding at least one bank account to your Income Tax Portal profile, you cannot successfully file your Income Tax Return.

Before submitting your ITR, ensure that:

• Your bank account is added.
• The account is validated.
• One account is selected for refund.

Can I Use a Joint Bank Account for Income Tax Refund?

Yes.

The Income Tax Department allows taxpayers to register a joint bank account, provided:

• You are one of the account holders.
• Your PAN is linked with the bank account.
• The account is successfully validated by the bank.

If your name is not present in the joint account or PAN is not linked, validation may fail.

Documents Required

Keep the following details ready before adding your bank account:

• PAN Card
• Bank Account Number
• IFSC Code
• Aadhaar-linked Mobile Number
• Mobile Number registered with Bank

Step-by-Step Process to Add a Bank Account on Income Tax Portal

Step 1 – Login to Income Tax Portal

Login using:

• PAN/User ID
• Password
• Captcha
• OTP (if required)

Step 2 – Open My Profile

After login:

My Profile → Bank Accounts

Here you will see all your registered bank accounts.

Step 3 – Click "Add Bank Account"

Select the Add Bank Account option.

Step 4 – Enter Bank Details

Provide:

• Account Number
• Confirm Account Number
• IFSC Code
• Account Type (Savings/Current)

The bank name will automatically appear after entering the IFSC code.

Click Continue.

Step 5 – Validate Bank Account

The Income Tax Portal will verify your account with your bank.

Validation may happen through:

• PAN Verification
• NPCI Verification
• OTP Authentication
• Bank Confirmation

Validation generally takes a few minutes to 24 hours.

Step 6 – Enable Account for Refund

Once validation is successful,

Click Enable for Refund.

Your future Income Tax Refund will be credited to this account.

How to Update Existing Bank Account Details

Follow these steps:

1. Login to Income Tax Portal.
2. Go to My Profile.
3. Click Bank Accounts.
4. Select the bank account.
5. Update the available details.
6. Save the changes.

Note: You cannot edit the account number. If entered incorrectly, add a new bank account.

How to Remove an Old Bank Account

You can remove a bank account if:

• It is not selected for refund.
• There is no pending verification.

Go to:

My Profile → Bank Accounts → Remove

Bank Account Validation Status Meaning

Status	Meaning
Validated	Bank account verified successfully
Validation Pending	Verification in progress
Validation Failed	Bank account could not be verified

Reasons Why Bank Validation Fails

Your validation may fail because:

• Wrong Account Number
• Incorrect IFSC Code
• PAN not linked with bank
• Aadhaar mismatch
• Mobile number mismatch
• Temporary bank server issue
• Joint account without your PAN linked

Important Points Every Taxpayer Should Know

• Bank account is mandatory for filing ITR.
• At least one account must be validated.
• You can register multiple bank accounts.
• Only validated accounts can receive refunds.
• Joint bank accounts are allowed if your PAN is linked.
• Always verify your bank details before filing your return.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is adding a bank account mandatory before filing ITR?

Yes. Without a bank account, you cannot successfully submit your Income Tax Return.

How many bank accounts can I add?

You can register multiple bank accounts and choose one for receiving refunds.

Can I receive my refund in a joint bank account?

Yes, provided you are one of the account holders and your PAN is linked with the account.

Can I change my refund bank account after filing ITR?

Yes. You can change the refund account before the refund is processed by updating your validated bank account on the portal.

How long does bank validation take?

Usually within a few minutes, although some banks may take up to 24 hours.

Can I edit my bank account number?

No. You must add a new bank account if the account number is incorrect.

Final Words

Adding and validating your bank account on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal is a mandatory requirement before filing your Income Tax Return. It ensures hassle-free ITR filing, faster refund processing, and secure transfer of refunds. Before submitting your return, always verify that your preferred bank account is active, validated, and enabled for refund.