In this article we will take a look at the procedure for linking Aadhaar Card with PAN card, step by step and the various mediums it can be done through.

Introduction

PAN Card is a 10-digit unique number issued to an Individual, HUF, company, etc by the Income Tax department. It helps the department to manage and calculate all the transaction that the PAN holder will enter into in any financial year including his TDS/TCS, returns from income, etc. All borrowings, investments, and the business transaction of the PAN cardholder can easily be retrieved for the PAN card. Here, to know more about link Aadhaar Card with PAN Card Online.

Link Aadhaar Card with PAN Card Online

Linking of Aadhaar and PAN card became a mandatory requirement under the Income Tax Act, 1961 post-2017. From the filing of IT returns or for depositing more than Rs. 50,000 in your bank account, the PAN cardholder should get it linked with the Aadhaar card.

Through the Finance Act, 2017 a new provision was inserted under the Income Tax Act, 1961 which was Section 139AA. The provision is read as Quoting of Aadhaar Number, i.e., all those who have successfully obtained their Aadhaar card or are eligible to obtain an Aadhaar should mention their 12-digit Aadhaar number on the PAN application (while applying for PAN) or while furnishing IT returns with effect from July 1, 2017. However, for those who do not possess an Aadhaar card yet but have applied for the same can mention their Aadhaar application Enrolment ID in the Income Tax Return.

 Additionally, the PAN cardholder should intimate his Aadhaar card details to the Income Tax Department on or before the due date. Failure will result in the PAN card being inoperative. The Central Board of Direct tax first notified September 30, 2019, as the last date to link PAN and Aadhaar number. But the last date has been extended to March 31, 2023. 

How to Link an Aadhaar Number with PAN? 

There are three modes that can be used for linking PAN with Aadhaar.

Link Aadhaar and PAN Online

• Online Linking of PAN and Aadhaar (Without Logging into your account)

1. 1. Visit Income Tax Department e-filing official page (incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home)
   2. Select Link Aadhaar which will appear on the left-hand side of the page under Quick Links
   3. You would only require your PAN and Aadhaar card. Fill in the details correctly and in case of any discrepancies or errors an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number for verification. However, where the credentials in PAN and Aadhaar will be different the taxpayer might be required to get the details corrected.

• Online Linking of PAN and Aadhaar (After logging into your account)

1. • Step 1: Log in to your Income Tax portal using your username and password
   • Step 2: Go to the profile setting option on the horizontal blue bar. Dropdown menu will appear, select Link Aadhar.
   • Step 3: While registering in the e-filing portal, as the details were already filed in you will only be required to cross-check and fill in the Captcha and click on Link Aadhaar.
   • Step 4: You will receive a pop-up message of Aadhaar- PAN linking

Link Aadhaar Card and PAN Card Offline

Visit your designated PAN card center and fill in the required form. You would be required to carry your PAN and Aadhaar card and a minimal fee has to be paid along with the form.

Link Aadhaar Card and PAN Card via SMS

For the ease of the tax-payer and a hassle-free linking process, the taxpayer may just send an SMS from their registered mobile number to either 567678 or 56161. 

SMS has to be sent in the following format: 

UIDPAN<SPACE><12 digit Aadhaar><Space><10 digit PAN>. 

For Example – UIDPAN 123456789000 EPOPE1234E.

PAN and AADHAR are Interchangeable for Income Tax Purpose

Tax-payer or an assessee is required to mention his PAN card number in his various communication with the department. Section 139A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 furnishes a list of situations and conditions in which the tax-payer or an assessee is required to have a PAN card.

However, Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019 has brought forth ease for the assessee and allowed the assessee to interchangeably use his PAN and Aadhaar. Hence when a person does not have a PAN but he/she wants it for certain business transactions, he/she can furnish or quote his Aadhaar in lieu of PAN. In such circumstances, the Income-tax Department will allot PAN to such a person.

Additionally, where the person has got his PAN and Aadhaar linked he/she can now fill in his Aadhaar number at transactions where the department has made PAN card mandatory or where he/she is required to produce his PAN.

Penalty for not complying with provisions relating to PAN or Aadhar

Failure to comply with Section 139A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 the assessee will attract penalty as mentioned under section 272B of the Income Tax Act, 1961. For each default, the assessee would be required to pay Rs 10,000 which would include failure to obtain PAN, failure of authenticating PAN, etc.

Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019 has brought forth amendments under section 272B of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and mentioned the default specifically which would attract penalty under the provision which are:

• Failure to mention or quote PAN or Aadhaar or quote wrong PAN or Aadhaar
• Failure to mention or quote PAN or Aadhaar in the specified transactions
• Where Banks, NDFC or other financial institutions who receive documents for specified transactions cannot ensure that the PAN or Aadhaar as the case may be have been duly quoted and authenticated.

Conclusion

The entire idea of Aadhaar is to get rid of multiple identification cards for different purposes and having one single identity card that can be presented for all purposes. This is somewhat similar to the Social Security Number system in the USA. So it is in the best interest of all to ensure that the Aadhaar is linked to all other government documents so you do not need to maintain a bulky folder with multiple government ids with repetitive information. If you have any other queries with regards to legal or regulatory matters, you can contact us so  that we can connect you to the best expert for the purpose of your requirements.

Also Read:

• Documents Required For Aadhaar Card
• Linking Aadhaar With Mobile Number
• Applying For Aadhaar Card Without Documents