If you fail to link your PAN with your Aadhaar by December 31, your PAN may be deactivated. This could lead to further complications in your financial transactions.
Why the Deadline Matters
This directive comes after an increase in financial fraud cases. Reports indicated that several Authentic companies were using PAN data without proper consent to create user profiles, raising concerns over the misuse of personal information. To prevent such issues, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the Income Tax Department to restrict access to personal data through PAN.
Government Announcement
The Indian government has announced that the last date to link a PAN card with an Aadhaar card is December 31, 2024. If a PAN card is not linked by this date, it will be deactivated. The Government also The government is also taking stringent action against technology companies’ unauthorized handling of personal data as it moves forward with implementing the Digital Private Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP).
Steps to Link Aadhaar with PAN
1. Visit the Official Portal
Go to the official Income Tax e-filing website: www.incometax.gov.in.
2. Click on ‘Quick Links’
On the homepage, tap on the ‘Quick Links’ option.
3. Select ‘Link Aadhaar Status’
Click on the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ option and enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.
4. Check Your Linking Status
- If your PAN is already linked to Aadhaar, a message will confirm: “Your PAN is already linked with the provided Aadhaar.”
- If not, you’ll see: “PAN is not linked with Aadhaar.” To link, click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ option under the ‘Quick Links’ section on the left.
5. Enter Details
On the next page, enter your PAN and Aadhaar details as required.
How to Link PAN and Aadhaar via SMS
- Type: UIDPAN (space) 12-digit Aadhaar number (space) PAN number.
- Send the SMS to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number.
- You will receive a confirmation message within seconds stating that your PAN is now linked with Aadhaar.
Act Now to Avoid Penalties
Ensure that your PAN is linked with your Aadhaar before the deadline to avoid any disruption in your financial activities.