Aadhar-PAN Link Status: Simple Steps to Check and Avoid Penalty
The Government of India has made linking your Aadhaar card with your Permanent Account Number (PAN) mandatory. While the primary deadlines have passed, many individuals still need to check their linking status to ensure their PAN remains operational. Ignoring this can lead to serious financial issues, including a potential fine.
How to Check Your Aadhar-PAN Link Status (Online Method)
The easiest and most official way to check the status is through the Income Tax Department’s official e-filing portal. It only takes a minute, and everyone should do this immediately if they are unsure.
- Visit the Portal: Go to the official Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in).
- Find the Link: Look for the “Quick Links” section on the homepage.
- Click Status: Click on the “Link Aadhaar Status” option.
- Enter Details: You will be prompted to enter your 10-digit PAN number and your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- View Status: Click on “View Link Aadhaar Status.” The outcome will be displayed instantly, showing whether the linkage is complete or pending.
This is a critical actionable step. People often feel relieved once they see the “Linked” message, knowing they’ve avoided future hassles. The system is designed to provide immediate feedback, which is helpful for quick confirmation.
Alternative Method: Checking via SMS
For those without easy access to the internet, the Income Tax Department also provides an SMS-based method. This is a very useful alternative, simplifying the process significantly.
- Send to: Send an SMS to either 567678 or 56161.
- Format: The SMS must be in the specific format: .
- Example: If your Aadhaar is 123456789012 and PAN is ABCDE1234F, the message would be .
The Consequence of Not Linking
It’s important to understand the gravity of the December 31 deadline (which was reported in reference to a previous period). As per the law, a penalty of is applicable if the PAN is linked after the statutory deadline. More importantly, an unlinked PAN is rendered inoperative. This contextual explanation is key: when your PAN is inoperative, you cannot perform essential financial transactions.
An inoperative PAN means:
- You cannot file Income Tax Returns (ITR).
- You face higher Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) rates on transactions.
- You cannot open new bank accounts, invest in mutual funds, or engage in stock market trading.
An expert perspective confirms this; a tax professional would advise that dealing with an inoperative PAN is far more complicated and costly than paying the penalty and linking it now. The hassle of correcting higher TDS deductions later is a nightmare.
Figures related to new penalties or revised due dates for the current financial year are subject to government notification; previous data is not available in current reporting. However, the penalty rule was a well-known consequence from previous compliance cycles.
Disclaimer : The information is based on public government guidelines. Tax laws and deadlines can change, so always verify the latest information on the official Income Tax e-filing portal or consult a qualified tax professional.
Written by: Anil Sinha – Business Reporter – Naukri Sarkari – https://www.naukri-sarkari.com
