Under current Indian tax regulations, linking your Permanent Account Number (PAN) with your Aadhaar is a mandatory requirement. Failure to complete this crucial linking process by December 31, 2025, will render your PAN inactive starting January 1, 2026. An inoperative PAN can significantly impact various financial activities, including tax filings, processing of refunds, and other essential transactions.

Key details regarding the PAN-Aadhaar linking process include:

• Individuals who received their PAN card on or before October 1, 2024, using an Aadhaar enrolment ID are eligible to link their PAN with Aadhaar without any fee until December 31, 2025.
• According to recent updates from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Aadhaar authentication will be compulsory for all new PAN card applications submitted from July 1, 2025.
• A penalty of ₹1,000 will be imposed if the PAN-Aadhaar link is completed after the specified deadline.

Understanding the PAN Aadhaar Link

The PAN Aadhaar link is a critical process that connects your PAN with your unique Aadhaar number. This linking serves to verify your identity and helps prevent the issuance of duplicate PANs. Maintaining an active PAN Aadhaar link is a compliance requirement for all taxpayers in India.

How to Link Aadhaar With Your PAN Card

If your PAN card has become inactive because it was not linked with Aadhaar, you can reactivate it by paying the applicable penalty and submitting a request for PAN-Aadhaar linking. The reactivation process consists of two primary stages: I. Payment of the necessary penalty. II. Submission of the Aadhaar-PAN link request.

Required Documents

To complete the linking process, you will need the following documents:

• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar

I. Penalty Payment Procedure

This step is applicable to all PAN cardholders who have previously obtained a PAN card with an Aadhaar number.

Step 1: Access the Income Tax e-Filing Portal.

Step 2: Input your PAN number in both the 'PAN/TAN' and 'Confirm PAN/TAN' fields, then enter your mobile number, and click 'Continue'.

Step 3: After successful OTP verification, you will be redirected to the e-Pay Tax page. Click 'Continue'.

Step 4: Click 'Proceed' under the 'Income Tax' tab.

Step 5: Select '2025-26' as the Assessment Year, 'Other Receipts (500)' as the Type of Payment (Minor Head), and 'Fee for delay in linking PAN with Aadhaar' as the Sub-type of Payment. Then, click 'Continue'.

Step 6: The required penalty amount will be pre-filled under the 'Others' option. Click 'Continue' and proceed to make the payment.

You can remit the late penalty through the Income Tax e-filing portal using various methods such as net banking, debit card, NEFT/RTGS, over-the-counter payments, or via a payment gateway. The payment gateway option is exclusively available for accounts held with the following authorized banks:

• Axis Bank
• Bank of Baroda
• Bank of India
• Bank of Maharashtra
• Canara Bank
• Central Bank of India
• City Union Bank
• Federal Bank
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank
• IDBI Bank
• Indian Bank
• Indian Overseas Bank
• IndusInd Bank
• Jammu & Kashmir Bank
• Karur Vysya Bank
• Kotak Mahindra Bank
• Punjab & Sind Bank
• Punjab National Bank
• RBL Bank
• South Indian Bank
• State Bank of India
• UCO Bank
• Union Bank of India

It is crucial to link your PAN with your Aadhaar card as quickly as possible after making the penalty payment.

II. Submitting Online/Offline Requests for Linking Aadhaar Number and PAN

This process applies to all PAN holders, including those whose PAN was issued using an Aadhaar enrolment ID before October 1, 2024. You have two online methods to link your Aadhaar with PAN via the Income Tax e-filing portal:

1. Submitting the request without logging into your account.
2. Submitting the request by logging into your account.

Method 1: Without Logging in to Your Account

Step 1: Navigate to the Income Tax e-filing portal's linking page.

Step 2: Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, then click 'Validate'.

Step 3: Provide your name as it appears on your Aadhaar card and your mobile number, then click 'Link Aadhaar'.

Step 4: Input the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your mobile number and click 'Validate'.

Step 5: Your request for PAN Aadhaar linking will be transmitted to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for verification.

What if Payment Details are Not Verified?

If, after validating your PAN and Aadhaar, a message states “Payment details not found,” click ‘Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax’ to complete the payment for the linking fee. After making the payment, allow 4 to 5 days for processing before submitting your PAN-Aadhaar linking request. While it typically reflects within 30-60 minutes, a longer wait ensures proper reconciliation.

Method 2: Logging in to Your Account

Step 1: If you are not already registered, create an account on the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Step 2: Log in to the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal using your user ID.

Step 3: Verify your secure access message and enter your password. Click 'Continue' to proceed.

Step 4: Once logged in, click on 'Link Aadhaar'. Alternatively, access 'My Profile' and select 'Link Aadhaar' under the 'Personal Details' option.

Step 5: Enter your Aadhaar number and click 'Validate'.

Step 6: A confirmation pop-up message will indicate that your Aadhaar number has been successfully linked to your PAN card.

After your PAN-Aadhaar linking request is submitted, UIDAI will process it. Your PAN should be reactivated within 7 to 30 days.

Verifying Your Aadhaar-PAN Link Status

You can confirm whether your PAN and Aadhaar cards are linked by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal's status check page.

Step 2: Input your PAN and Aadhaar number, then click 'View Link Aadhaar Status'.

Step 3: If your PAN and Aadhaar are not linked, a pop-up message will confirm this status.

For comprehensive instructions on verifying your Aadhaar and PAN link status, refer to the detailed guide.

PAN Aadhaar Linking Charges

A penalty of ₹1,000 must be paid through the Income Tax e-filing portal before initiating the PAN-Aadhaar linking process. However, PAN holders who received their PAN via an Aadhaar enrolment ID after October 1, 2024, can link their PAN with Aadhaar without charge until December 31, 2025.

PAN Aadhaar Linking Customer Support

If you encounter any questions or issues regarding the PAN Aadhaar linking process, you can reach out to the following customer care numbers:

UIDAI (For Aadhaar-related inquiries)

Toll-Free Helpline: 1947

This service is available 24/7 and provides support in multiple languages.

NSDL (For PAN-related inquiries)

Helpline: 020-27218080

This helpline operates from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday through Sunday.

Income Tax Department (For Payment and Linking Assistance)

Toll-Free: 1800 103 0025 or 1800 419 0025

International: +91-80-46122000 or +91-80-61464700

Support is available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Concluding Remarks

Failure to link your PAN with Aadhaar will lead to your PAN card becoming inactive, which can severely impact your financial transactions. It is essential to ensure that your PAN-Aadhaar linking is completed. If you have not yet linked them, follow the steps outlined above and submit the ₹1,000 penalty. Once your request is submitted, the PAN and Aadhaar link will typically be processed within 30 days, thereby reactivating your PAN.