A new rule is going to be implemented from July 1. Now Aadhaar card will be mandatory to apply for a PAN card. The government has taken this step so that the tax system can be strengthened and fraud can be prevented. Under this new rule, if you do not have an Aadhaar card, you will not be able to apply for a PAN card. Therefore, those who do not have an Aadhaar card yet will have to get it made as soon as possible. The government believes that this step will curb tax evasion and make the identification of taxpayers more accurate. So if you are thinking of applying for a PAN card, then get your Aadhaar card made first.

How were PAN cards made till now?

Currently, people can get a PAN using documents like voter ID, passport, or birth certificate. The upcoming reform will make this process easier, in which Aadhaar authentication will be included in the PAN application process through the Income Tax Department portal.

Old PAN will have to be linked to Aadhaar.

All existing PAN holders are also required to link their PAN with Aadhaar by 31 December 2025. If this is not done, their PAN will become inactive from January 1, 2026, unless it is reactivated by linking. Let us tell you that this deadline has been extended several times before.

This rule comes after searches conducted by the Income Tax Department, which found that some people were holding multiple PAN cards or fraudulently registering for tax evasion and GST using the PAN of others. According to official records, as of March 2024, there were more than 740 million PAN holders in India, out of which about 605 million had already linked their Aadhaar.

How to link Aadhaar and PAN online?

– Income Tax e-filing website

You can also link by sending an SMS.

For this, the customer has to type a message in this format:

– UIDPAN <12 digit Aadhaar number> <10 digit PAN number>

– Send this message from your registered mobile number to <567678> or <56161>.

– For example, if your Aadhaar number is 987654321012 and your PAN number is ABCDE1234F, then type UIDPAN 987654321012 ABCDE1234F and send it to <567678> or <56161>.

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