The last date for linking Aadhaar with PAN was 30th June 2023. From 1st July 2023 onwards, PAN cards not linked with Aadhaar have become inoperative. To avoid complications and ensure your PAN card remains active, it's crucial to check whether your PAN is linked to your Aadhaar. The Income Tax Department has issued a reminder to taxpayers to link their PAN with Aadhaar by 31st May 2024. Failure to do so will result in tax deduction/collection at higher rates under Sections 206AA and 206CC of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

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The deadline for linking Aadhaar and PAN cards is fast approaching. All PAN card holders must link their PAN cards with Aadhaar cards to ensure that their PAN cards stay active. However, many might be uncertain if the linking has been done already. This article will guide you through the process to check if your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN card. If it is not linked, you can link it by paying a penalty of Rs. 1,000.

Why Link Aadhaar with PAN?

The government has mandated the linking of Aadhaar with PAN for all taxpayers to simplify tax compliance and curb tax evasion. The linking helps in verifying the identity of the taxpayer, thus reducing the chances of having multiple PAN cards for the same individual. This initiative also aims to streamline the process of filing income tax returns.

Importance of Checking Aadhaar-PAN Link Status

Ensuring your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN card is crucial for the following reasons:

Avoiding Penalties: If your PAN card is not linked with Aadhaar, it will become inoperative, and you may face penalties.

Seamless Financial Transactions: An inoperative PAN card can hinder your financial transactions, as PAN is required for many financial activities.

Filing Income Tax Returns: If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, you won't be able to file your income tax returns, leading to further penalties and issues.

How To Check Aadhaar Card PAN Card Link Status Online?

There are two main ways to check if your Aadhaar and PAN card are linked online:

1. Checking Without Logging Into the Income Tax Portal

Follow these steps:

Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Under the ‘Quick Links’ heading, click on the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’.

Enter your ‘PAN number’ and ‘Aadhaar Number’.

Click the ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’ button.

After entering the required details, a message regarding your Link Aadhaar status will be displayed. If your Aadhaar is linked to your PAN card, you will see a message indicating that your PAN is already linked to the given Aadhaar. If the linking request is still in progress, a message will appear stating that your Aadhaar-PAN linking request has been sent to UIDAI for validation. If your Aadhaar is not linked with your PAN card, a message will prompt you to link your Aadhaar with PAN.

2. Checking By Logging Into the Income Tax Portal

Here are the steps to follow:

Login to the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Go to ‘Dashboard’ on the homepage and click the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ option.

Alternatively, go to ‘My Profile’ and click on the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ option.

If your Aadhaar is linked to your PAN card, the Aadhaar number will be displayed. If not, the status will indicate that the Aadhaar is not linked with your PAN card. If the linking request is pending with the UIDAI for validation, you will need to check the status later.

Direct Link to Check Aadhaar Card PAN Card Link Status

You can also use a direct link to check the status of your PAN-Aadhaar link:

Visit this link.

Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.

Click ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’.

The status of your PAN-Aadhaar linking will be displayed on the screen.

How To Check Aadhaar Card PAN Card Link Status via SMS?

You can also check the status via SMS by following these steps:

Write an SMS in the following format: UIDPAN <12 digit Aadhaar number> <10 digit PAN number>.

Send the SMS to ‘567678’ or ‘56161’.

Wait for the response from the government service.

If your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN, the message will indicate that your Aadhaar is already associated with your PAN in the ITD database. If not, the message will inform you that your Aadhaar is not associated with your PAN in the ITD database.

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card Online?

If your Aadhaar is not linked with your PAN card, you can still link them by following these steps:

Steps to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card Online

Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Under the ‘Quick Links’ heading, click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’.

Enter your ‘PAN Number’ and ‘Aadhaar Number’.

Click the ‘Validate’ button.

Click on ‘Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax’ button.

Enter PAN, mobile number and click ‘Continue’ button.

Click ‘Proceed’ button under the ‘Income Tax’ tab.

Pay the challan amount and click ‘Continue’.

Under the ‘Quick Links’ heading, click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’.

Enter the PAN and Aadhaar and click the ‘Validate’ button.

Enter the Aadhaar number, mobile number, OTP and click ‘Validate’.

The request for Aadhaar-PAN linking will be sent to the UIDAI for validation. You can also visit a PAN card center and submit the Aadhaar-PAN card linking request form for linking the two cards. Once the PAN-Aadhaar linking request is sent, your PAN will become operative within 7-30 days.

Fees for Aadhaar PAN Card Linking

Linking your PAN and Aadhaar was free until 31st March 2022. After this date, the government imposed a penalty for late linking. If you linked your PAN-Aadhaar between 1st April 2022 and 30th June 2022, a penalty of Rs. 500 was imposed. However, after 30th June 2022, a penalty of Rs. 1,000 is required to link PAN with Aadhaar. Therefore, you must pay the penalty before proceeding with the linking request.

Who Should Link Aadhaar with a PAN Card?

According to Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, all taxpayers with a PAN card must link it to their Aadhaar cards. This includes all individuals and entities required to file income tax returns. However, certain groups are exempt from this requirement:

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): Individuals who are considered non-residents under the Income Tax Act.

Senior Citizens: Individuals aged above 80 years.

Residents of Specific States: Residents of Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir.

These exemptions are provided considering the practical difficulties these groups might face in linking their Aadhaar with PAN.

Why is Linking Aadhaar with PAN Important?

The government mandates linking Aadhaar with PAN to streamline the tax administration system and reduce the incidence of tax evasion. Linking these two identity documents helps in:

Preventing Duplicate PANs: Ensuring one person holds only one PAN card.

Simplifying Tax Filing: Making the process of filing income tax returns more efficient.

Curbing Tax Evasion: Tracking financial transactions more effectively to prevent tax evasion.

Ease of Access: Simplifying access to government benefits and services.

Steps to Link Aadhaar with PAN Offline

If you prefer to link your Aadhaar with PAN offline, follow these steps:

Visit the Nearest PAN Service Center: Locate the nearest PAN service center.

Fill the Form: Obtain and fill out the Aadhaar-PAN linking form.

Submit the Form: Submit the filled form along with a copy of your PAN card and Aadhaar card.

Pay the Fee: Pay the linking fee of Rs. 1,000.

Receive Acknowledgement: Obtain an acknowledgement receipt for your submission.

Your request will be processed, and your PAN will become operative within 7-30 days after validation by UIDAI.

Conclusion

Ensuring your PAN card is linked to your Aadhaar card is crucial for seamless financial transactions and compliance with tax regulations. The process is straightforward and can be done both online and offline. Regularly checking the link status helps avoid any last-minute hassles and penalties. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily check and link your Aadhaar with your PAN card, ensuring compliance and avoiding any potential issues with your financial transactions or tax filings.