The crucial deadline for linking your Permanent Account Number (PAN) with your Aadhaar card is fast approaching. Indian taxpayers have only until 31 December 2025 to complete this mandatory process. Failure to link the two identity documents will result in your PAN becoming inoperative, leading to significant disruptions in financial and tax-related services.
Consequences of Missing the Aadhaar-PAN Linking Deadline
If you do not link your PAN with Aadhaar by the year-end deadline, you will face immediate consequences. The most severe is that your PAN card will be rendered inoperative. This means you cannot use it for any financial transactions where PAN is mandatory, such as opening bank accounts, purchasing high-value assets, or filing income tax returns.
Additionally, a penalty of ₹1,000 is applicable for most taxpayers who complete the linking after the deadline. However, there is an important exemption. Individuals who obtained their PAN after 1 October 2024 using their Aadhaar enrolment ID can link their PAN with Aadhaar free of charge until 31 December 2025, as noted by tax advisory platform ClearTax.
Step-by-Step Guide to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online
Linking your PAN and Aadhaar is a straightforward process through the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful linkage before the deadline.
- Visit the official income tax e-filing portal and log in using your credentials. If you are a new user, you must first register on the site.
- After logging in, navigate to your 'My Profile' section. Look for the 'Link Aadhaar' option under 'Personal Details' and click on it.
- You will be prompted to enter your PAN and Aadhaar number. After entering the details, select 'continue to pay through e-pay tax' to proceed with the penalty payment (if applicable).
- Choose the relevant assessment year and select 'Other Receipts' as the type of payment. The system will auto-fill the ₹1,000 amount. Click continue.
- A payment challan will be generated. Select your preferred mode of payment and complete the transaction on the redirected bank's website.
- Once the payment is confirmed, you can finalize the linking of your PAN with Aadhaar on the e-filing portal itself.
How to Check Your PAN-Aadhaar Link Status
It is wise to verify whether your documents are already linked to avoid last-minute panic. To check the status, visit the income tax e-filing portal. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number in the designated 'View Link Aadhaar Status' section. The portal will immediately display the current linkage status. If they are not linked, a pop-up notification will inform you that your PAN is not linked to Aadhaar.
What to Do If Details on PAN and Aadhaar Do Not Match?
A common hurdle in the linking process is mismatched details, such as name or date of birth. To resolve this, you must correct the information on the document where the error exists.
For corrections in your Aadhaar details, visit the official UIDAI portal. For errors on your PAN card, you need to apply for corrections through agencies like Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL. If discrepancies persist, you can opt for biometric verification at your nearest authorized PAN service center to complete the linkage.
The primary purpose of this mandatory linkage is to verify identity and prevent the issuance of duplicate PANs, thereby streamlining the tax administration system. With just days left, all taxpayers are urged to complete this process immediately to ensure uninterrupted access to essential services and avoid financial penalties.
