Linking Aadhar card and PAN card has now become mandatory as ordered by the Government of India. Though there have been many extensions of the deadlines given by the Government of India, the final date is given to link PAN with Aadhar is March 31, 2021.
PAN Card – Permanent Account Number (PAN) in India
PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10-digit identification number. It is a unique identification alphanumeric number containing both alphabets and numbers and is assigned to Indians, mostly to those who are the taxpayers.
PAN is an electronic system that records all the tax-related information of a person or a company as against a single PAN number. This PAN number acts as the +primary storage of information that can be shared across the country. Therefore, one cannot have more than one PAN number, and no two taxpayers can have the same PAN number.
PAN card offers lifetime validity because it is not affected by any change in the address and therefore serves as a lifetime proof of a person’s identity. Having a PAN card is important for taxpayers as it is useful to track the inflow as well as the outflow of all financial transactions pertaining to income tax, receiving tax refunds, and receiving communication from the Income Tax Department.
A PAN card continues to be necessary for all types of financial transactions, be it paying taxes, sale or purchase of any property or vehicle, or bond shares or insurance policy or mutual fund schemes and even in remitting money within or out of India.
Steps to apply for a PAN Card:
PAN cards can be applied by both offline and online means. The applicant needs to fill form 49A for the application of the PAN card. The applicant can apply offline for a PAN card through any of the district level PAN agencies and online through NSDL – National Securities Depository Limited and UTIISL – UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited.
Steps to apply for a PAN card – offline:
Procedure to follow:
Step 1 – The applicant needs to download the PAN card application form from the NSDL or UTIISL websites.
Step 2 – Then, he needs to fill in the form and attach required documents like identity, age, and address proof, along with his photographs.
Step 3 – The same needs to be submitted at the NSDL office along with the payment of the processing fee.
After following the above steps, the PAN card will be officially posted to the address specified by the applicant in the form within 15 working days.
Steps to apply for a PAN card – online:
Step 1 – The applicant must visit the official website of NSDL – https://www.tin-nsdl.com/ or UTIISL – https://www.utiitsl.com/UTIITSL_SITE/ website.
Step 2 – The applicant must select the New PAN option given on the website.
Step 3 – He would then need to fill Form 49A if he is an Indian Citizen, NRI, NRE, or OCI.
Step 4 – He should fill in the required details in the form and submit it after paying the required processing fees.
Step 5 – After the fees is paid online, the applicant will receive a 15 digit acknowledgment code that should be printed and signed.
Step 6 – He would then need to attach his passport-sized photographs and proof of identity, age, and address documents and further send the application to the NSDL office by post within 15 days after the submission of the online application form.
What to Fill in the PAN Card Form?
The applicant needs to fill in the following spaces:
- Assessing officer code
- Full name
- Abbreviation of the name
- Another name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Father’s name
- Address
- Address of communication
- Phone number and email id
- Status of applicant
- Aadhaar number
- Registration number
- Source of income
- Documents submitted
- Representative Assessee
Tips for applying for a PAN Card
- The form should be filled in English language only.
- 2 recent pictures of the applicant must be attached along with his signature or left thumb impression.
- Details filled should be doublechecked for accuracy.
- No over-writing should be done.
PAN Card – Overview
| Name of PAN issuing authority | Income Tax Department, Government of India |
| The inception of the PAN Card | 1972 |
| The validity of PAN Card | Lifetime Validity |
| Cost of issuing PAN Card | Rs. 110/- to Rs. 1,020/- |
| Eligibility for PAN Card | It is issued to Individuals or companies, or anyone who pays tax in India |
| Types of PAN Card | Individual, HUF-Hindu Undivided Family, Firms or Partnerships, Company, Trusts, Foreigners, Society |
Aadhar Card
Aadhar is a unique 12-digit individual identification number. The Unique Identity Authority of India issues it. The idea of Aadhaar is to provide a significant platform of identity, being one of the main pillars of the government’s ‘Digital India initiative, where each resident of the country is given a unique identity.
Aadhaar number serves as proof of an individual’s identity and his or her residential proof anywhere in India. Any individual irrespective of age and gender and who is a resident of India and satisfies the verification process which is laid down by the UIDAI can easily enroll for Aadhar. There can be only one Aadhar per individual. Anybody can enroll for and Aadhar either online or offline.
To get an Aadhar number, the Individual must give his or her demographic and biometric information at the time of enrolment, and there are no charges for the same. The enrolment of Aadhar is a one-time process and remains valid for the entire life. Aadhar is a random number generated by the system devoid of any intelligence and segregating individuals based on their caste, religion, geography, income, and health.
Applicants for Aadhar card need to follow three simple steps to complete the enrolment process offline.
- Step 1: Locate the nearest Aadhar enrolment center.
- Step 2: Fill up the application form and submit, along with the required documents.
- Step 3: Complete the biometrics and collect the receipt of acknowledgment.
Steps to apply for an Aadhar Card:
Applying for the Aadhaar Card offline:
Steps to Apply for Aadhar Card Offline
Step 1 – The applicant must find the nearest Aadhaar enrolment center, book an Appointment, and reach the Enrolment Centre.
Step 2 – He should then fill the enrolment form, which can also be downloaded from the official website.
Step 3 – Then, he needs to submit the form along with proof of identity, age, and address.
Step 4 – It is recommended to the individual to carry his Original Documents. After verification of the photocopies, the originals will be returned to the individual.
Step 5 – He should finally submit his Biometric Details, including the impression of his fingerprints and iris. His photograph is also taken.
Step 6 – He can then collect his Acknowledgment Letter using the 14 digit enrolment number mentioned in the slip.
Applying for the Aadhaar Card online:
Before applying for an Aadhaar card, the applicant should be ready with all documents while visiting the enrolment center. The application process for the Aadhaar card is the same for all Indian citizens.
Step 1 – The applicant can visit the official website https://uidai.gov.in/images/Tier1_Cities_PECs.pdf. To find the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. For appointments and looking for other cities, he can visit https://appointments.uidai.gov.in/easearch.aspx.
Step 2 – The applicant can download the enrollment form from the website, https://uidai.gov.in/images/aadhaar_enrolment_correction_form_version_2.1.pdf) fill it appropriately.
Step 3 – Then, he needs to submit the form along with proof of identity, age, and address.
Step 4 – After the submission of the documents, he would need to get his iris scan and fingerprints imprinted as biometric data is mandatory to be furnished.
Step 5 – A real-time basis photograph is also taken for Aadhaar.
Step 6 – After following all the formalities, a 14 digit enrolment number will be issued, which can be used to check the Aadhar Card’s status.
Receive Aadhar Card
Aadhaar card will be officially received within 90 days or 3 months at the registered address through Post. Linking Aadhar with PAN card
LinkingAadhar with PAN card is a mandatory process allowing a smooth process of Income Tax Returns. The last date to link Aadhar with PAN card is March 31, 2021. Any banking transactions for Rs.50,000 and above requires a PAN link with Aadhar. The method of Linking Aadhar card with PAN card is simple and completes with a few steps.
Benefits of linking PAN with Aadhar
Following are some of the benefits which an individual receives when he or she decides to link Aadhar with PAN card –
- The process of linking the Aadhar card with a PAN card deletes the possibility of duplication of an individual’s PAN card.
- The Income Tax Department can detect any form of evasion of tax.
- The filing income tax returns process becomes easy as there is no requirement to provide any proof of previously filed income tax returns.
- There is no possibility of the cancellation of either Aadhar card or PAN card in case of a PAN link with Aadhar.
- The linking will help an individual easily avail of the summary of the previous taxes for future reference.
Here are the steps towards how to link PAN with Aadhar
There are two ways through which one can link Aadhar with PAN card –
- Through the website for filing income tax (e-filing)
- By sending an SMS
1. PAN link with Aadharthrough the website for filing income tax (e-filing)
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For registered users
To link Aadhar with PAN card using the website for filing income tax, an individual needs to go through the following steps –
- Open or visit the Income Tax site for e-filing. In the case of a registered user, log in to the online account by entering the user ID and password.
- In the window that opens, provide the PAN number, Aadhar number, and the Aadhar card name.
- The next screen will have a box where one needs to enter the Captcha code.
- For visually challenged users, there is a facility to request for an OTP instead of the Captcha code. The individual will receive the OTP on the registered mobile number.
- On the dashboard, go to ‘Profile Settings’ and then select ‘Link Aadhar.’
- The individual should duly fill-up the form on the screen with the name, date of birth, gender, PAN card number, etc.
- Then provide the Aadhar card number and the Captcha code on display.
- Then the individual needs to enter ‘Submit’ and click on the ‘Link Aadhar’ tab.
- The PAN link with Aadhar establishes successfully on one click.
- The individual will get a message on the registered mobile number showing a successful PAN link with Aadhar.
2. For un-registered Users
- Open or visit the Income Tax site for e-filing.
- Find a ‘Quick Links’ section at the left-hand side of the page.
- Under ‘Quick Links,’ find the option ‘Link Aadhar.’
- Choose the link, and a new page opens.
- Provide the PAN card number, Aadhar number, name as is in the PAN Card and enter the Captcha code on display.
- For visually challenged users, there is a facility to request for an OTP instead of the Captcha code. The individual will receive the OTP on the registered mobile number.
- After providing all the details, select ‘Link Aadhar.’
- The PAN link with Aadhar establishes successfully on one click.
- The individual will get a message on the registered mobile number showing a successful PAN link with Aadhar
2. Link Aadhar with PAN card through an SMS
An Individual can establish an open link with Aadhar by sending an SMS to 567678 or 56161 from the registered mobile number.
The SMS should contain the following format – UIDPAN<12–digit-Aadhar number><10–digit–PAN–number>
After typing the above, the individual needs to send the same to 567678.
Link PAN with Aadhar with an SMS – ‘UIDPAN-Aadhar-number-PAN-number’ to 567678
How to link PAN with Aadhar manually or offline?
An individual can also link Aadhar with a PAN card manually or offline, which the Central Board of Direct Access officially allows. For the purpose, an individual should visit the nearest service center of NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited or UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited.
The individual will have to fill up an Annexure I at the center. The filled form, along with self-attested copies of the Aadhar card and PAN card, must be submitted. For the completion of the linking process, a stipulated fee may be payable.
If there are any corrections required in Aadhar card or PAN card, they can be done at the linking time. Furthermore, any authentication of biometric details, if needed, can be done at the service center in case of a significant difference in the databases of PAN card and Aadhar card.
How to link PAN with Aadhar in case names are not matching between the two of them?
Sometimes, the name of an individual mentioned on the Aadhar card and PAN card does not match. However, an individual’s name on both the cards must be the same to establish a valid PAN link with Aadhar.
There can be two instances in which there can be a mismatch of names between Aadhar and PAN –
- Complete mismatch of the name between Aadhar and PAN.
- Partial mismatch of the name between Aadhar and PAN.
Let’s look at the procedure that one needs to follow to link Aadhar card with PAN with the correct name.
| Complete mismatch of the name | Partial mismatch of the name |
| Here an individual needs to correct either in the PANdatabase or in the Aadhar database |
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Important Note: Taxpayers should see that the date of birth and the gender details for the name are correct in both the cards.
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