Link PAN to Aadhaar New Income Tax Portal: Complete Guide

Linking your Permanent Account Number (PAN) with your Aadhaar number is mandatory under the Income Tax Act. The Income Tax Department of India has made it clear that every taxpayer must complete this linking to avoid penalties and ensure the continued validity of their PAN.

This step is very important when learning how to file ITR online because an unlinked PAN can cause problems during submission. Linking helps with quick verification and lowers the chance of your return being rejected. Doing this early is best to avoid any last-minute issues while filing your taxes.

Importance of Linking PAN with Aadhaar

PAN is a unique identifier issued to taxpayers in India, while Aadhaar is a biometric ID issued by UIDAI. The government uses these documents to track financial transactions and curb tax evasion.

Here are some reasons why it is crucial to link Aadhaar with PAN card:

• Prevents duplication and fraudulent PANs 
• Required for filing income tax returns 
• Enables faster tax refunds and processing 
• Ensures uninterrupted access to financial services
  

Latest Requirements Under the Income Tax Act

As per Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, every individual allotted a PAN and eligible to obtain Aadhaar must link both. 

As of April 3, 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced that individuals who obtained their PAN using an Aadhaar enrolment ID on or before October 1, 2024, must link Aadhaar with their PAN card by December 31, 2025. Failing to do so will render their PAN inoperative from January 1, 2026. This Aadhaar-PAN linking is free for these individuals.

For all other PAN holders, the deadline to link Aadhaar with PAN card was June 30, 2023. However, they can still complete the linking by paying a penalty of ₹1,000. 

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card Online via New Income Tax Portal

The new Income Tax portal makes the PAN-Aadhaar linking process user-friendly and straightforward.

Step-by-Step Guide to Online Linking

1. Visit the official website: https://www.incometax.gov.in
   
2. Click the “Link Aadhaar” option on the homepage under the “Quick Links” section.
   
3. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar number, name (as per Aadhaar), and mobile number.
   
4. Tick the checkbox to give consent for Aadhaar authentication.
   
5. Click on “Validate”.
   
6. After OTP verification, a message confirming successful linking will appear.
   

If your details (name, date of birth) do not match, you will be prompted to make corrections before proceeding.

Pre-Requisites Before Linking PAN and Aadhaar

Before starting the linking process:

• Ensure that the name, date of birth, and gender on PAN and Aadhaar match exactly.
  
• Your mobile number should be registered with Aadhaar for OTP verification.
  
• You should not already have a pending request or existing linkage.
  

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card via SMS

If you do not have internet access, you can also link Aadhaar with your PAN card through a simple SMS.

SMS Format for PAN-Aadhaar Linking

Link your PAN and Aadhaar by sending an SMS in the following format: 

UIDPAN<space><12-digit Aadhaar><space><10-digit PAN>.  Send this SMS to either 567678 or 56161.

Example: UIDPAN 123456789012 ABCDE1234F

Charges Applicable for SMS Service

While there are no government-imposed charges, your mobile operator may apply standard SMS charges depending on your plan.

Offline Procedure to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card

If online or SMS-based linking is inconvenient, you can link your Aadhaar with your PAN card offline.

Linking Through PAN Service Centers

You can visit the nearest PAN Service Center run by NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) or UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited) and request PAN-Aadhaar linking.

Steps involved:

• Fill out the Annexure-I form
  
• Submit a copy of your PAN and Aadhaar card.
  
• Pay the applicable service fee (typically ₹50–₹100)
  
• Provide biometrics if required for verification.
  

Documents Required for Offline Linking

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Photocopy of PAN card
  
• Photocopy of Aadhaar card
  
• Filled application form (Annexure-I)
  
• A passport-sized photo (in some cases)
  

How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status

After submission, you can check if your PAN has been linked successfully.

1. Go to https://www.incometax.gov.in
   
2. Click on “Link Aadhaar Status”
   
3. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number
   
4. The status will be displayed on screen
   

SMS-Based Status Check

Send an SMS in the below-mentioned format to 567678 or 56161:

UIDPAN<space><12-digit Aadhaar><space><10-digit PAN>

You will receive an SMS confirming whether your Aadhaar and PAN are linked.

Consequences of Not Linking PAN with Aadhaar

Failure to link your PAN with Aadhaar can lead to several issues, including penalties and account restrictions.

Penalty Charges for Non-Compliance

As per CBDT notification, a fine of ₹1,000 can be levied if you miss the linking deadline. Additionally, any tax-related activity may be delayed or rejected.

Deactivation of PAN and Legal Implications

If not linked, your PAN will become inoperative, meaning:

• You cannot file ITR.
  
• TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) or TCS (Tax Collected at Source) will be deducted at a higher rate.
  
• You won’t be able to invest in mutual funds or open a bank account.
  
• It may invite scrutiny from the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in case of disputes.
  

This can also affect processes related to filing ITR online or claiming refunds under the old tax regime.

Common Issues and Solutions

There can be some hiccups while linking PAN and Aadhaar. Let’s look at common problems and how to resolve them.

Mismatch of Name or Date of Birth

Issue: If the name or date of birth does not match between PAN and Aadhaar

Solution:

• Use the UIDAI portal to update Aadhaar details.
  
• Visit the NSDL PAN portal to correct PAN details.
  
• Once corrected, retry the linking process.
  

Technical Errors During Linking

Issue: Error message on the portal or OTP not received

Solution:

• Clear your browser cache or try in incognito mode.
  
• Ensure the mobile number is linked with Aadhaar.
  
• Try again later or use the SMS method.
  

Conclusion

The government has clarified that PAN-Aadhaar linking is non-negotiable for all taxpayers. Whether you follow the old or new tax regime, it is essential to complete the process before the deadline to avoid penalties, loss of tax benefits, or PAN deactivation.

Staying updated with regulations and consulting a stock advisory company or financial planner can help you remain compliant and organized, especially when filing taxes or dealing with TCS vs TDS matters.

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