Technology has grown a lot, nowadays, accounts filing, GST, online documents and many other activities have turned online. On the other hand, plenty of frauds are happening by using your signature, so because of technological transactions, even our signature turned out to be a digital signature. In this article, we are going to see the use and process of obtaining a digital signature.
WHAT IS A DIGITAL SIGNATURE?
In simple words, a digital signature is like an electronic form of a “fingerprint” but in the form of a coded message, the digital signature securely associates a signer with a document in a recorded transaction.
The working digital signature works like this; when an individual creates a digital signature, ie., an electronically signing method, the signature is created digitally by way of a private digital key. The mathematical algorithm creates a secret code and this encryption data stands as your digital signature.
NEED FOR DIGITAL SIGNATURE
Saves time:
If you are an entrepreneur, you may have plenty of work, so your trustable accounts team need not wait for your signature to file income tax or GST. A digital signature would be a great support for you.
High security:
A digital signature offers more security than a normal signature. The unique identifying “fingerprint” data in a digital signature remains permanently embedded within a document. No one can misuse your signature by any kind of fabrication.
Legal validity:
While signing through a Digital signature it provides legal authenticity. Any document which is digitally signed stands as valid proof before the court of law.
Saves nature and money:
The digital signature is a paperless process and replaces the paper documentation in the entities. Hence, this eliminates the use of paper and saves money.
TYPES OFDIGITAL SIGNATURE
Before January 2021, there were three types of digital signatures, classes 1, 2 and 3. But after the Government notification in 2021, now the only type of digital signature available for us is a Class 3 digital signature which is more secure and advanced.
WHO CAN ISSUE A DIGITAL SIGNATURE?
A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority (CA) means a person who has been granted a license to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT Act 2000.
WHERE CAN YOU USE A DIGITAL SIGNATURE?
Used for secure online transactions
Used to sign the e-filing of Income Tax, Income tax returns and Registrar of Companies
Signing and encrypting e-mail and documents like MS Word, Excel and PDFs etc.
Address proof such as aadhar card or driving license
Company:
1. Proprietorship:
GST Number
MSME
Banker Letter
Proprietor’s PAN Card
Proprietor’s Aadhar card
2. Partnership:
Firm’s PAN Card
GST
Partnership deed
Authorisation letter
Proof of the authorized partner
PAN card of the authorized partner
Aadhar card of the authorized partner
3. Private Limited/Public Limited//One Person Company
Incorporation certificate
PAN Card of the company
Bank statement
Board resolution
Aadhar card of the authorized director
PAN Card of the authorized director
Authorisation letter
PROCEDURE TO GET DIGITAL SIGNATURE
You can Get a digital signature in a few simple steps. First, go to the official website of the certifying authority and log in. Then fill in the form with the correct details and upload the required documents. After completing all the steps, record and submit the self-declaration video. Finally, pay the required fee. After verification, you can get the digital signature within a day.
