You can now check if the income tax noticeor order that you have received is genuine or not. The income tax department has launched a facility on its e-filing website allowing users to check this. The search facility at present allows a user to search for orders/notices using 'Document Number' or 'PAN, assessment year, Notice Section, Month & Year of issue'. 

Recently, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had issued a circular according to which every income tax notice issued by the department will have a computer generated Document Identification number (DIN). 

However, it is likely that you will only be able to use DIN to authenticate those notices which are issued on or after October 1, 2019. 

This is because the DIN will be printed on the notice or order issued to you from October 1 onwards, as per the department's press release dated August 14, 2019. 

The notices and orders issued prior to October 1, 2019 will be uploaded on the website by October 31, 2019 as per the press release. 

Here's how you can authenticate the income tax notice received by you: 

Step 1: Visit www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in 
Step 2: Under the 'Authenticate' tab which is below the 'Quick links' tab, you will find 'Notice/order issued by ITD'. Click on this. 
Step 3: A new webpage will open on your computer screen. To authenticate the document received by you, you will be given two options. 
You can authenticate the document either by the document number or via PAN, assessment year, Notice Section, Month and Year of issue.
Step 4: Enter the captcha code and click on Submit. 

If the notice or order issued to you is genuine, then the same will be reflected on the website. The website will show you the message: "Yes, Notice is valid and issued by Income Tax Authority". 

This facility will help tax payers tackle the problem of fake notices. Chartered Accountant Naveen Wadhwa, DGM, Taxmann.com says, "The tool provided by the e-filing portal can be used to check the authenticity of the document or communication received from the department or any order issued by the tax authorities. Using this functionality, the phishing emails and fraudulent communications can be easily identified by taxpayers. Moreover, donors can check the correctness and validity of recognitions of the trust for Section 80G deductions through this platform. Any document or notice is received on email is also uploaded by the department on the e-filing portal, yet its authenticity can be checked using this tool as well." 

Remember the user can check the authenticity of the notices and orders from the list available in the drop down menu only.