In today’s digital world, the PAN (Permanent Account Number) and Aadhaar Card have become essential identification tools for every Indian citizen. The PAN card is primarily used for financial and tax-related activities, while the Aadhaar card serves as a unique identification document, consolidating various personal details under a single number.
The Income Tax Department has issued an advisory urging taxpayers to link their Permanent Account Number (PAN) with their Aadhaar Card by December 31, 2024. If not linked by this date, the PAN card will become inactive, which could cause difficulties with transactions and other potential issues.
This move of the Indian Government comes amid a rise in financial fraud cases, as several organizations were reportedly using PAN information to create customer profiles without user authorisation, raising serious concerns. To curb such misuse of personal data, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the Income Tax Department to restrict access to personal information through PAN.
Vigilance Awareness Campaign 2024: Systemic Improvements
The Income Tax Department Mumbai website has been redesigned to provide access to several taxpayer services pic.twitter.com/YzoctEAAGe
— Income Tax Mumbai (@IncomeTaxMum) November 6, 2024
The I-T department has made Linking PAN with Aadhaar is now mandatory for all taxpayers in India. Missing the deadline will render PAN cards inoperative, leading to potential challenges in conducting financial transactions.
Here is a Step-by-step Guide to Checking the PAN-Aadhaar Link Status
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing Portal
Go to the official website at www.incometax.gov.in.
Step 2: Access Quick Links
On the homepage, find and click on the ‘Quick Links’ option.
Step 3: Check Link Aadhaar Status
Select ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ from the options provided and enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers on the new page.
Step 4: Verify Link Status
If Already Linked: A message will appear stating, “Your PAN is already linked to given Aadhaar.”
If Not Linked: A message will read, “PAN not linked with Aadhaar.” You’ll also see an option to ‘Link Aadhaar’ under the Quick Links on the left side of the page.
Step 5: Complete the Linking Process
If your PAN and Aadhaar are not linked, click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ to proceed. You’ll be directed to a page where you must enter details like your PAN, Aadhaar number, and name as per your Aadhaar card.
Additional Help
The Income Tax Department offers a dedicated FAQ page to guide taxpayers through the PAN-Aadhaar linking process.