How to Connect PAN With Aadhaar Online: A Brief Guide for Taxpayers
Connecting the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar has become necessary for all taxpayers in India. Implemented by the government as a mechanism to prevent tax evasion and intensify identity confirmation, the task is simple and can be executed online in just a few minutes.
Significance of Connecting PAN with Aadhaar
It has been made mandatory to link PAN with Aadhaar to simplify tax filings and eliminate duplicate PAN cards. The Income Tax Department seeks the linkage to authenticate the identity of PAN holders. The failure to connect the two can make the PAN non-functional. This, in turn, can bar individuals from filing income tax returns, making high-value financial transactions, or even opening new bank accounts.
Deadline and Related Penalty
The deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar was June 30, 2023. However, those who missed this date can still link their PAN but only after paying a penalty of Rs. 1,000. This penalty is imposed under Section 234H of the Income Tax Act. After payment, the PAN-Aadhaar linkage process can be done through the official website of the Income Tax Department.
Step-by-Step Guide to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online
1. Open the official site: Go to [https://incometax.gov.in](https://incometax.gov.in).
2. Choose ‘Link Aadhaar’: On the homepage, locate and click the ‘Link Aadhaar’ option in the ‘Quick Links’ category.
3. Provide necessary details: Put in PAN, Aadhaar number, Aadhaar name, and mobile number. If only the year of birth appears on the Aadhaar card, put a check in the relevant box.
4. Confirm and proceed: Accept Aadhaar data authentication by UIDAI by ticking the appropriate box and pressing ‘Continue.’
5. Pay the fine (if applicable): In case the PAN is yet to be linked, then the system will be redirected to the e-Pay Tax service for a Rs. 1,000 payment. Payment can be made using net banking, UPI, or a debit card.
6. Finish the process: After the payment has been made, go back to the Aadhaar linking page and finish the request.
How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status
To verify whether the PAN and Aadhaar have been successfully linked, one can go to the income tax portal and click on ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ under ‘Quick Links’. By entering the PAN and Aadhaar number, the status of the linking can be viewed instantly.
Alternative Methods for Linking
For those who cannot or do not want to do it online, there are offline alternatives as well. One can go to PAN service centres run by NSDL or UTIITSL and get the documents linked in person. The process can also be started via SMS. The message has to be sent to 567678 or 56161 in the following format:
UIDPAN<12-digit Aadhaar><10-digit PAN>
PAN linking with Aadhaar is not merely a compliance step but also a means of securing one’s financial identity and making tax-related procedures less complicated. All those who have not yet done so are requested to do so at the earliest to ensure that there is no disruption in financial transactions.
