Aadhaar-PAN Linking: PAN Cards Could Be Disabled in the New Year If This Mistake Is Made
As the deadline for linking Aadhaar with PAN approaches, the government has issued a strict warning. From the new year, PAN cards that are not properly linked to Aadhaar may be rendered inoperative, affecting essential financial activities such as banking, tax filing, investments, and other transactions.Why Linking Aadhaar with PAN Is Mandatory· The government requires all PAN holders to link their PAN with Aadhaar to prevent tax evasion and duplicate PANs.· Failure to link could make your PAN invalid, causing major disruptions in your financial life.Common Mistakes That Can Make PAN Inoperative1. Incorrect Aadhaar Detailso Mismatch in name, date of birth, or gender between PAN and Aadhaar records.2. Not Linking Before Deadlineo PAN cards that remain unlinked after the government deadline will be deactivated.3. Multiple PANs for One Aadhaaro Having more than one PAN linked to a single Aadhaar is illegal and can result in deactivation.How to Link PAN with Aadhaar1. Online via the Income Tax Portal:o Visit https://www.incometax.gov.ino Go to “Link Aadhaar” and enter your PAN, Aadhaar number, and name as per Aadhaar.o Submit the request; confirmation will be sent via SMS or email.2. Via SMS:o Send a message in the format:o UIDPAN<12-digit Aadhaar><10-digit PAN>to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number.How to Avoid Problems· Check Your Details: Ensure that your name, date of birth, and gender match exactly in PAN and Aadhaar records.· Correct Errors Early: If there are discrepancies, update Aadhaar or PAN details immediately.· Link Before Deadline: Don’t wait until the last minute to avoid PAN deactivation.Consequences of Not Linking· PAN card becomes inoperative.· Cannot file income tax returns.· bank transactions and financial investments may be blocked or delayed.· Could lead to legal penalties under the Income Tax Act.Key TakeawayLinking your PAN with Aadhaar is no longer optional. Even small mismatches can cause your PAN to become inoperative, disrupting banking, taxes, and investments. Check your details today, correct any errors, and complete the linking process before the new year to avoid unnecessary complications. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.