The PAN card holds immense significance as a mandatory document for various financial operations, including income tax submissions and return filings. According to an announcement by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the deadline for linking Aadhaar to PAN has been extended until June 30, 2023. Today marks the final day, and there is no indication of any further extension.
The CBDT observed a noticeable difference between the number of PAN cards issued and those linked to Aadhaar numbers. As of February, approximately 610 million individual PANs have been issued, out of which only about 480 million have been successfully connected to Aadhaar. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to help you seamlessly link your Aadhaar to your PAN card, verify its online status, and more.
Wondering about the various methods to link Aadhaar with your PAN Card? Here are two convenient options:
Link PAN to Aadhaar Via SMS:
- Type “UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar number> <10-digit PAN Number>”
- Send this SMS to 56161 or 567678. (Note: Please use your registered mobile number for this process.)
Via the Income Tax Department Portal:
- Visit the official E-filing portal.
- Click on the Aadhaar link option under the Quick Links tab.
- Provide your Aadhaar and PAN card numbers.
- Confirm your PAN card and mobile number to receive an OTP.
- Proceed to the Income Tax File Process and select the mode of payment and assessment year.
- Once your payment is successful, your PAN card will be seamlessly linked to your Aadhaar.
Up until March 31st, 2022, there was no fee for linking Aadhaar and PAN. However, between April and June 2022, the ITD introduced a charge of Rs. 500 for Aadhaar-PAN linking. As of July 2022, individuals linking their Aadhaar to PAN will need to pay a sum of Rs. 1000 as a fee.
Curious about checking the status of your Aadhaar PAN link? Follow this step-by-step guide:
- Visit the Income Tax Department’s official website.
- Enter your 10-digit PAN number and 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Proceed to ‘View Aadhaar Link Status.’
- Your information will be displayed within seconds.
Not linking your Aadhaar with PAN may lead to several disadvantages. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss this ultimatum:
- Filing an income tax return with an inoperative PAN card will become challenging.
- Pending tax returns won’t be processed.
- Unlinked PAN cards won’t receive pending tax refunds.
- Inactive PANs can hinder the completion of pending proceedings, such as those involving defective returns.
- With an inactive PAN, taxes will be withheld at a higher rate.
- An invalid PAN card can’t be used for significant payment transactions.
The importance of PAN Aadhaar linkage stems from its role in curbing tax evasion by establishing a unique identification number that connects an individual’s PAN with their Aadhaar. Moreover, it facilitates the streamlined filing of income tax returns and simplifies the government’s process of authenticating citizens’ identities.