A PAN (Permanent Account Number) card has become an essential document in India. Whether you want to open a bank account, make large financial transactions, or file income tax returns, a PAN card is now mandatory. There was a time when you could open a bank account without a PAN card, but those days are gone. Today, a PAN card is necessary for even the smallest financial activities within the banking system. It acts as a crucial tool for tracking financial transactions and helps banks assess your financial history when providing personal loans.

However, in some cases, a PAN card may become inactive. If your PAN card is deactivated, it can disrupt your daily financial activities. Without an active PAN, filing income tax returns, making financial transactions, and performing various banking tasks can become challenging. Therefore, it’s important to understand why a PAN card might become inactive and how to reactivate it if necessary.

Why Does a PAN Card Become Inactive?

There are several reasons why your PAN card may become inactive:

1. PAN-Aadhaar Not Linked – If your PAN card is not linked to your Aadhaar card, it may be deactivated by the Income Tax Department.
2. Multiple PAN Cards – Holding more than one PAN card is illegal, and if detected, the extra PAN cards may be deactivated.
3. Fake PAN Card – If the PAN card is found to be fraudulent or obtained through false information, it may be deactivated.

How to Identify if Your PAN Card is Inactive

You can easily check the status of your PAN card by following these simple steps:

1. Visit the Income Tax Department Website
   
• Open the official Income Tax Department website: https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/
2. Navigate to Verify PAN Status
   
• In the Quick Links section on the left side of the homepage, click on the "Verify PAN Status" option.
3. Enter the Required Details
   
   • PAN Number
   • Full Name
   • Date of Birth
   • Registered Mobile Number
• On the new page, enter the following details:
4. Enter the OTP
   
• After entering the details, click on "Continue."
• An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP to proceed.
5. Confirm and Check the Status
   
• Click on "Confirm."
• If your PAN card is active, the message "PAN is active" will appear on the screen.
• If your PAN card is inactive, you will receive a message indicating that your PAN card is inactive.

How to Reactivate an Inactive PAN Card

1. If your PAN card is inactive, you can reactivate it by following these steps:

   1. Write a Letter to the Assessing Officer (AO)
      
   • Write a formal letter addressed to the Assessing Officer (AO) at your regional Income Tax Department office, requesting the reactivation of your PAN card.
   2. Fill an Indemnity Bond
      
   • Fill out an indemnity bond in favor of the Income Tax Department. This serves as a legal assurance that you are taking responsibility for the request.
   3. Submit ITR for the Last 3 Years
      
   • Provide copies of the Income Tax Returns (ITR) filed using the deactivated PAN card for the last three financial years.
   4. Submit Supporting Documents
      
   • Attach copies of supporting documents such as:
   • Aadhaar card
   • Voter ID
   • Passport
   • Bank statement
   5. Submit to the Regional Office
      
   • Submit all the documents to the regional office of the Income Tax Department.
   6. Wait for Processing
      
   • The reactivation process may take up to 15 days. After successful verification, your PAN card will be reactivated.

Why Keeping Your PAN Card Active is Important

An active PAN card is essential for smooth financial operations, including:

• Opening bank accounts
• Applying for personal and home loans
• Filing income tax returns
• Making high-value transactions
• Investing in mutual funds and stocks

If your PAN card becomes inactive, follow the simple steps mentioned above to reactivate it and continue enjoying hassle-free financial services.