Connecting Aadhar and PAN Card: Streamlining Financial Documentation

The Government mandated linking PAN with Aadhaar by June 30, 2023. Failure to do so could impact PAN usage, refunds, and related interests. Post-deadline, one might attempt the linkage via the Income Tax website by paying a stipulated fee. It’s essential that your name matches precisely on both documents for a successful link. Any discrepancies might require correcting your name to ensure a seamless Aadhaar-PAN linkage.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for correcting spelling mistakes in your PAN card:

• Visit the NSDL PAN Correction Portal:
  Access the NSDL PAN correction website.
  
  

• Choose ‘Change/Correction in PAN Data’:
  Look for the option specifically for changing or correcting your PAN data.
  
  

• Fill Form 49A:
  Select Form 49A for individuals (including foreign citizens), and Form 49AA for foreign nationals.
  
  

• Enter Correct Details:
  Fill in the required fields with your correct information, including your name, date of birth, and other relevant details.
  
  

• Submit Supporting Documents:
  Upload documents supporting the correction, such as identity proof, address proof, and date of birth proof. These could be documents like your Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID.
  
  

• Payment of Fee:
  Pay the required fee online for the correction process.
  
  

• Acknowledgment: Once submitted, an acknowledgment containing a 15-digit acknowledgement number will be generated. This can be used for tracking the status of your application.
  
  

• Verification and Processing:
  The submitted details and documents will be reviewed by the NSDL, and upon verification, the corrected PAN card will be issued.
  
  

• Track Application Status:
  Monitor the status of your application using the acknowledgment number provided.
  
  

• Receive the Updated PAN Card:
  Once approved and processed, the corrected PAN card will be dispatched to your registered address.

It’s crucial to ensure the accuracy of the details and the documents provided during the correction process to avoid any further issues or delays.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for correcting spelling errors in your Aadhaar card:

• Visit the UIDAI Official Website:
  Access the official UIDAI website: https://uidai.gov.in/.
  
  

• Click on ‘Update Your Aadhaar’:
  Look for the ‘Update Your Aadhaar’ or ‘Aadhaar Update’ section on the website.
  
  

• Choose ‘Update Your Details Online’:
  Select the option for updating your details online.
  
  

• Log in with Aadhaar Number:
  Log in using your Aadhaar number and an OTP received on your registered mobile number.
  
  

• Select the Details to Update:
  Choose the details you wish to correct, in this case, the spelling of your name.
  
  

• Upload Supporting Documents:
  Upload scanned copies of documents supporting the correct spelling of your name. Documents like a passport, voter ID, or PAN card can be used.
  
  

• Review and Submit Request:
  Review the entered details and submit the correction request.
  
  

• Acknowledgment:
  After submission, you’ll receive an acknowledgment containing an update request number. This number can be used to check the status of your correction.
  
  

• Verification and Approval:
  The UIDAI will review your request, and upon verification, the corrected Aadhaar will be issued.
  
  

• Check Status and Download e-Aadhaar:
  You can track the status of your application using the update request number. Once approved, download the updated e-Aadhaar or wait for the updated physical card to be sent to your registered address.
  
  

Always ensure the accuracy of the information and documents provided for a successful correction in your Aadhaar card.

Linking PAN with Aadhaar is crucial for several reasons:

• Deactivation of Unlinked PANs:
  As of June 30, 2023, unlinked PAN cards are deactivated.
  
  
• Preventing Multiple PAN Issuance:
  Linking helps address the issuance of multiple PAN cards to a single individual or entity.
  
  
• Tax Summary Convenience:
  It offers a consolidated view of the taxes imposed for future reference, simplifying tax-related information for users.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to check the linking status between your Aadhaar card and PAN card:

• Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal:
  Go to the official Income Tax e-Filing website – https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/.
  
  

• Log in or Register:
  Log in with your credentials or register if you’re a new user.
  
  

• Click on ‘Profile Setting’ and ‘Link Aadhaar’:
  Once logged in, find the ‘Profile Settings’ and then the ‘Link Aadhaar’ option.
  
  

• Enter PAN and Aadhaar Details:
  Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers as prompted.
  
  

• Check Linking Status: The system will display the linking status – whether your Aadhaar is already linked to your PAN or if it’s pending.
  
  

• Verification:
  Review the information and ensure it’s accurate and reflects the correct linking status.

This process provides you with real-time information on the current linking status between your Aadhaar and PAN card. If there are any discrepancies or if your Aadhaar is yet to be linked, you might need to initiate or reconfirm the linking process.

PAN cards that missed the Aadhaar linking deadline now stand as inoperative, per Rule 114AAA of the Income Tax Rules. With an inoperative PAN:

• Unable to use, quote, or furnish your PAN, facing consequences under tax regulations.
  
  
• Implications include withheld refunds and interest, higher TDS deduction under section 206AA, and increased TCS collection under section 206CC.
  
  

Note: An inoperative PAN isn’t inactive; filing tax returns remains possible even with an inoperative PAN.

Here’s a concise overview:

• For NRIs:
  While NRIs are exempt from linking PAN with Aadhaar, some NRIs may have inoperative PANs due to non-filing of ITR for three assessment years. To reactivate their PAN, they need to inform their Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) of their residential status, providing supporting documents for an update in the PAN database. Details of the JAO can be found at: https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices
  
  
• For OCIs:
  Similarly, OCIs/foreign citizens who haven’t filed ITR in the past three assessment years or applied for PAN under the wrong status and didn’t correct their residential status with the JAO will have inoperative PAN cards. They can follow the same process as NRIs to update their residential status with supporting documents. Details of their respective JAO can also be found at: https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices

Missing the PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline by June 30, 2023, results in the inoperability of your PAN. However, you can reinstate it by later linking with Aadhaar, paying the prescribed penalty of Rs. 1,000. Upon raising the linking request on the Income Tax website, it might take up to 30 days for your PAN to become operational. During the inoperational period, you’ll be subject to Act consequences like higher TDS and a lack of income tax refunds. For those who consented and paid the fee before June 30 but haven’t linked their PAN-Aadhaar yet, the Income Tax Department will consider their cases accordingly.

If you encounter challenges in downloading the challan after paying the PAN-Aadhaar linking fee, you can verify the payment status through the “e-pay tax” tab on the Income Tax portal after logging in. If the payment is confirmed, you can then proceed with linking your PAN and Aadhaar.

To verify the validity of your PAN card, follow these steps:

• Access the Income Tax e-Filing Portal:
  Visit the Income Tax e-Filing website at https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/.
  
  

• Navigate to ‘Know Your PAN’ Section:
  Look for the ‘Know Your PAN’ option on the portal.
  
  

• Enter PAN Details:
  Provide your PAN card number and other necessary details as prompted.
  
  

• Submit the Request:
  After entering the details, submit the request for verification.
  
  

• Review the Validity:
  The system will display the validity status of your PAN card, confirming whether it is active or not.

If you face any issues during this process, consider reaching out to the Income Tax Department or customer support for further assistance.