Aadhaar to pan linking is a mandatory process for indian taxpayers. If your PAN is not linked, it becomes inoperative. The free linking window has ended. You can still link your PAN and Aadhaar at any time, but you must first pay a fee of ₹1,000. This guide gives you the methods or steps you need to check your Aadhaar PAN link status and complete the linking process.
To keep your PAN active, make sure your Aadhaar is connected to it. An unlinked PAN can cause problems in banking transactions and other work that needs PAN.
Why Link Aadhaar And PAN?
Linking Aadhaar and PAN is more than a legal requirement. It is a step towards a more efficient and transparent financial system. It enables the government to trace taxable transactions and deter tax evasion, resulting in a fair system for all taxpayers. For people, connecting these papers is critical to continuing to utilize their PAN for different financial activities such as opening a bank account, purchasing mutual funds, or submitting income tax returns. If the two are not linked, the PAN becomes inoperative and these activities are held up.
To avoid confusion later, first check whether your Aadhaar is already connected to your PAN. You can do this online on the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Why Is It Mandatory To Link PAN With Aadhaar?
Under Section 262(6) of the Income Tax Act, 2025, every person who has been allotted a PAN and is eligible to obtain an Aadhaar number must link the two. Before this, the rule was under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The aim is to remove duplicate and fake PANs and control tax evasion.
If your PAN was issued using an Aadhaar Enrolment ID before 1 October 2024, you were required to link it with your Aadhaar number by 31 December 2025. PANs that are not linked after this date become inoperative, and you must pay the ₹1,000 fee to reactivate them.
What If Your PAN Is Not Linked to Aadhaar?
The consequence for not linking Aadhaar and PAN is that your PAN becomes inoperative. With an inoperative PAN:
- You can’t file an income tax return.
- Returns and refunds are not processed.
- Tax is deducted at a higher rate.
To get your PAN working again, follow these steps:
- You need to pay the late fee of ₹1,000 through e-Pay Tax on the Income Tax e-filing portal.
- After the payment, you need to submit the linking request.
- Your PAN usually becomes active again within 30 days.
PAN Aadhaar Link Status Check Online
There are two ways to check your Aadhaar PAN link status online.
Without logging in:
- Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal.
- Under ‘Quick Links’, click ‘Link Aadhaar/View Status’
- Click ‘Continue’ in the ‘View Status’ tile.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’.
After logging in:
- Log in to the Income Tax e-filing portal.
- On the Dashboard, click ‘Link Aadhaar’.
- Go to ‘My Profile’ and choose ‘Link Aadhaar Status’.
After you submit your PAN and Aadhaar number, the portal shows a message telling you whether your PAN is linked, not linked, or pending validation with UIDAI.
If your request is pending with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for validation, check the status later.
SMS Method (for linking):
If you prefer to link offline, send UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN> to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number.
Example: UIDPAN 000011112222 AAABP1111K
How to Link PAN With Aadhaar Online
If your Aadhaar isn’t connected to your PAN, the process is simple and can be done online. It has two steps: first, pay the fee; then submit the linking request.
Step A: Pay The Fee
- On the e-filing portal, click ‘Link Aadhaar’ under ‘Quick Links’.
- Click ‘Continue’.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click ‘Validate’.
- Click ‘Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax’.
- Enter and confirm your PAN and a mobile number, then verify the OTP.
- On the e-Pay Tax page, click ‘Proceed’ in the ‘Income Tax’ tile.
- In the new payment tab, choose the tax year (make sure it’s the current one), payment type ‘Other Receipts (500)’, and sub-type ‘Fee for delay in Linking PAN with Aadhaar’. The amount of ₹1,000 is pre-filled.
- Pay with your chosen mode.
Step B: Submit the linking request (it comes after paying the ₹1,000 fee)
- Go to ‘Quick Links’ ➡ ‘Link Aadhaar’ ➡ ‘Continue’.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar and click ‘Validate’.
- When you see “payment details verified”, click ‘Continue’.
- Fill in the details asked, and click ‘Link Aadhaar’.
- Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your mobile and click ‘Validate’.
If the portal says payment details are not found, wait 4-5 working days before submitting the request.
Fees and Exemptions for Aadhaar and PAN linking
Linking was free till 31 March 2022. A fee of ₹500 applied from 1 April to 30 June 2022, and from 1 July 2022 the fee is ₹1,000.
Exemptions for linking are:
- Residents of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya
- Non-residents as per the Income-tax Act, 1961
- People aged 80 years or more
- People who are not citizens of India
How Does a PAN Aadhaar Link Status API Help?
PAN Aadhaar linking is vital for all taxpayers. If the two are not linked, the Income Tax Department disables the PAN. PAN and Aadhaar cards, issued by the Indian government, carry details such as your full name, address, and mobile number that can be used to verify an individual.
A PAN Aadhaar Link Status API lets enterprises check the link status quickly and alert their users. It gives accurate results for the link status of an Aadhaar and PAN card. The online verification tool is easy and user-friendly. All you need is the PAN and Aadhaar number. Enter both, and the result appears within a few seconds.
This is how it helps:
- Easy to Use: The API is simple to integrate, and many providers also offer a user-friendly interface.
- Prevents Fraud: It protects institutions that are, or may become, victims of fraudulent cardholders by helping detect such cases early.
- Accurate and Reliable: The information is verified with the Income Tax Department, so the results are accurate and legitimate.
Faqs
Ques: Is it mandatory to link PAN with Aadhaar?
Ans: Yes, it is mandatory.
Ques: What happens if the Aadhaar and PAN are not linked?
Ans: If they are not linked, the PAN becomes inoperative. And once PAN becomes inoperative you can’t file returns, lose interest on refunds, and tax is deducted at a higher rate.
Ques: How can I check my PAN-Aadhaar link status?
Ans: Click ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ under Quick Links on the Income Tax e-filing portal, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, and click ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’.
Ques: What is the fee for late PAN and Aadhaar linking?
Ans: It is ₹1,000.
Ques: Is Aadhaar automatically linked to PAN?
Ans: Aadhaar is automatically linked to a PAN only for new PAN applicants at the time of application.
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