It is mandatory to link your PAN (Permanent Account Number) and Aadhaar (unique 12-digit identification number issued by the Indian government) in India. The Indian government has made it mandatory to link PAN with Aadhaar as per the Section 139 AA (2) of the Income Tax Act. This means that every person who has been allotted PAN as on 1st July 2017 and is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number, is required to intimate his Aadhaar number to the tax authorities. This linking is necessary for filing income tax returns (ITR) and for obtaining a new PAN.
It’s also worth noting that if you fail to link your PAN with Aadhaar by the deadline set by the government, your PAN will become inoperative, and you will not be able to file your income tax returns or conduct any financial transactions that require a PAN card.
There are several ways to link your PAN (Permanent Account Number) with your Aadhaar (unique 12-digit identification number issued by the Indian government) in India. The most common ways to link PAN with Aadhaar are:
Online: You can link your PAN and Aadhaar by visiting the official website of the Income Tax Department of India (incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in). Click on the “Link Aadhaar” option under the “Quick Links” section. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar number and name as per Aadhaar, and then submit.
SMS: You can also link PAN and Aadhaar by sending an SMS to 567678 or 56161 in the format “UIDPAN<12-digit Aadhaar><10-digit PAN>”
Visit nearest PAN service center: You can also visit the nearest PAN service center, fill out a form, and submit a copy of your Aadhaar card. They will link your PAN and Aadhaar for you.
Visit nearest AADHAAR center: You can also visit the nearest AADHAAR center and furnish your PAN card and request the executive to link them.
Through mobile app: You can download the mobile app of the Income Tax Department and link your PAN and Aadhaar through the app.
Note: You need to make sure that the name, date of birth and gender on your PAN and Aadhaar card are exactly the same. If there is any mismatch, you will have to update your details in either PAN or Aadhaar before linking them.