How to pay income tax online? Step-by-step guide and payment modes available

A taxpayer can make their income tax payment using the e-pay tax facility which supports multiple payment methods. The service is available on the e-filing portal and can be accessed with or without logging into the portal, making it a convenient process for those with tax liability.

The online tax portal provides a unified platform to electronically pay both advance and self-assessment taxes. It is especially useful for those who find an additional tax liability while filing their income tax return (ITR) even after factoring in TDS and other eligible tax credits.

How does the e-pay tax facility work?

The e-pay tax service is an online payment system that enables taxpayers to pay direct taxes electronically through the income tax department’s e-filing portal. The facility is available in both pre-login and post-login modes.

Taxpayers who choose the pre-login option can make payments by verifying their PAN or TAN through a one-time password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile number. Registered users who log in to the portal can also view their payment history and download challan receipts after completing the transaction.

Tax payments can be made through the payment gateway option using multiple payment modes, including credit cards, debit cards, net banking and UPI. Once a payment method is selected, users are redirected to the chosen payment gateway to complete the transaction. Applicable transaction charges, if any, are levied by the payment gateway over and above the tax amount.

How to pay tax by logging into the e-filing portal

If you want to pay your outstanding tax dues by logging into the tax department’s e-filing portal, follow the given steps:

• After logging into the portal, click e-file > e-pay tax from the dashboard. Make the appropriate selection, then click Continue.
• On the e-pay tax page, click New Payment to initiate the process.
• Choose the applicable tax payment tile, select the relevant year, Minor head, other required details, then click Continue.
• Enter the tax breakup by filling in the applicable amounts under the relevant tax heads and click Continue.
• Select your preferred payment mode, such as UPI, net banking, debit card, or credit card, and complete the payment by following the on-screen instructions. After the transaction is successful, you can download the challan receipt for your records.

How to pay tax using pre-login service?

You can also pay income tax without logging into the income tax e-filing portal using the pre-login e-pay tax service. Here’s how:

• Go to the e-filing portal (www.incometax.gov.in) and click e-pay tax.
• Fill the required details and click Continue.
• Enter the 6-digit OTP received on the mobile number and click Continue.
• After OTP verification, a success message with your PAN/TAN and masked name will be displayed. Click Continue to proceed.
• Click Proceed on a tax payment category that applies to you.
• Complete the details, choose your preferred payment mode, review the information, and make the payment. The remaining steps are the same as those followed in the regular e-pay tax process.

Payment modes available

The platform supports five standard payment modes, which are as below:

• Net Banking: Using bank’s net banking login.
• Debit Card: Using ATM or debit cards of authorised banks.
• Pay at Bank Counter (OTC): Cash, Cheque, or Demand Draft.
• RTGS/NEFT: From any bank using generated mandate form.
• Payment Gateway: Through credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking.

Which banks are supported by the e-pay tax facility?

The tax department currently supports tax payments through more than 30 authorised banks on the e-filing portal. These include State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Federal Bank, Karnataka Bank, Reserve Bank of India, among others.

Tax payments through other than authorized banks can be made via NEFT, RTGS or payment gateway modes at e-pay tax service at e-filing portal.