Is Your Aadhaar-PAN Link Updated? Check Status Today

The mandate to link Aadhaar with PAN was established for June 30, 2023, leading to inactive PAN cards starting July 1, 2023. To avoid complications, ensure your PAN card is linked to Aadhaar. The Income Tax Department advises linking by May 31, 2024, to steer clear of increased tax rates as per Sections 206AA and 206CC of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Latest Update

As the deadline approaches, PAN holders must link Aadhaar to maintain active PAN cards. With uncertain link statuses, this guide aids in confirming the connection. A linking fee of Rs. 1,000 may apply if required.

Why Link Aadhaar with PAN?

Mandated by the government, linking facilitates tax compliance and reduces evasion by confirming taxpayer identity and preventing duplicate PAN cards for individuals, simplifying income tax filing.

Importance of Checking Aadhaar-PAN Link Status

Linking is crucial to dodge various issues:

• Avoiding Penalties: A non-linked PAN is inoperative, resulting in penalties.
• Financial Transactions: An inactive PAN can disrupt financial activities.
• Filing Tax Returns: An unlinked PAN hinders income tax return filing, attracting further penalties.

How to Check Aadhaar-PAN Link Status Online?

1. Without Logging Into the Income Tax Portal
   Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal, select ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ under ‘Quick Links’, input PAN and Aadhaar Number, and click ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’. The confirmation message will indicate if linked; pending status needs UIDAI validation and prompts appear if unlinked.
2. By Logging Into the Income Tax Portal
   Sign into the Income Tax portal, select ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ from ‘Dashboard’ or ‘My Profile’. If linked, the Aadhaar number will display; for pending status, check later.

Direct Link to Check Aadhaar-PAN Link Status

Use a specified link to:

• Enter PAN and Aadhaar, then click ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’.

How to Check Aadhaar-PAN Link Status via SMS?

• Draft: UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN>. Send to ‘567678’ or ‘56161’. The ITD database will reflect the Aadhaar-PAN linkage status in the reply.

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card Online?

If not linked, follow these steps:

• Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal, click ‘Link Aadhaar’ under ‘Quick Links’, input PAN and Aadhaar Number, validate, proceed to ‘e-Pay Tax’, enter PAN, mobile number, and pay Rs. 1,000. Input details again, authenticate with OTP for UIDAI submission. PAN becomes active within 7-30 days.

Fees for Aadhaar-PAN Linking

Initially free until March 31, 2022, a charge of Rs. 500 was introduced from April 1 to June 30, 2022. Post-June 30, 2022, Rs. 1,000 is applied.

Who Should Link Aadhaar with a PAN Card?

Section 139AA requires all PAN holders to link with Aadhaar, with exceptions for:

• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
• Senior Citizens (80+ years)
• Residents of Assam, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir

Steps to Link Aadhaar with PAN Offline

• Visit a PAN Service Center, fill and submit the Aadhaar-PAN form with documents, pay Rs. 1,000 fee, and receive acknowledgment.

Conclusion

Linking Aadhaar with PAN ensures seamless transactions and tax compliance. Regular status checks prevent inconveniences, and both offline and online methods are available for linking. Follow these steps for compliance and ease in financial and tax matters.