What Happens If You Miss the Deadline to Link PAN with Aadhaar?
Failing to link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online after the deadline can lead to serious financial complications. The government has enforced strict regulations to ensure compliance with this requirement.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline:
- Inoperative PAN: If you haven’t linked your PAN card with your Aadhaar by the deadline, your PAN may become inoperative. This means you won’t be able to use your PAN for financial transactions or income tax filing until it’s reactivated.
- Higher TDS Rates: Transactions made with an inoperative PAN will attract a higher Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) rate. Typically, without PAN linkage, TDS is deducted at 20%, whereas, with PAN, it's deducted at 10%.
- Penalties: You’ll need to pay a penalty of Rs. 1,000 to reactivate your PAN. This fee must be paid before you can link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online after the deadline.
How to Reactivate Your PAN
If your PAN has become inoperative due to missing the deadline, you can reactivate it by following these steps:
Step 1: Pay the Penalty
The first step is to pay a penalty of Rs. 1,000, as per government guidelines. This can be done through the NSDL portal or by visiting a PAN service center.
Step 2: Link Your PAN Card with Aadhaar
After paying the penalty, you can proceed to link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online using the methods outlined below. Once linked, your PAN will become operative again.
Steps to Link PAN Card with Aadhaar Card Online
There are several methods to link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online after the deadline. You can do it via the Income Tax e-filing portal, through an SMS service, or even by visiting the NSDL portal.
1. Online Method via Income Tax E-Filing Portal
You can easily link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. Follow these steps:
- Via Income Tax E-Filing Portal (With Login):
- Visit the Portal: Go to the official Income Tax e-filing portal.
- Log In: Enter your login credentials, including your PAN number and password.
- Link Aadhaar: In the 'My Profile' section, select ‘Link Aadhaar’ under ‘Personal Details.’
- Enter Aadhaar Details: Input your Aadhaar number, name, gender, and date of birth as per your Aadhaar card.
- Verify: After verifying the details, click ‘Link Aadhaar.’
- OTP Verification: Complete the process with OTP verification sent to your registered mobile number.
- Without Logging In:
- Go to the Aadhaar Linking Section: On the e-filing homepage, click on ‘Link Aadhaar Status.’
- Enter PAN and Aadhaar Numbers: Input your PAN and Aadhaar numbers to check their current status.
- Link Aadhaar: If they are not linked, click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ and follow the same process as above to complete the linkage.
2. Linking PAN with Aadhaar via SMS
Another way to link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online after the deadline is by using the SMS service. Here’s how:
- Send an SMS: From your registered mobile number, send an SMS to 567678 or 56161 in the following format:
UIDPAN<12-digit Aadhaar><10-digit PAN> - Confirmation: You will receive an SMS confirmation once your PAN and Aadhaar are successfully linked.
3. Linking PAN with Aadhaar Through NSDL Portal
The NSDL portal allows you to pay the penalty for linking your PAN with Aadhaar. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the NSDL Tax Payment Page: Go to the official NSDL portal and select ‘Challan no./ITNS 280’ under the Non-TDS/TCS category.
- Choose the Appropriate Head: Select ‘(0021)’ for individuals and then choose ‘(500)’ for the payment head.
- Make the Payment: Complete the payment using net banking, debit card, or credit card.
- Submit the Link Request: After 4-5 working days, visit the Income Tax e-filing portal and submit a request to link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online.
How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status
You can check the status of your PAN-Aadhaar linkage at any time by following these steps:
- Visit the Income Tax E-Filing Portal: Go to the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ section on the portal.
- Enter PAN and Aadhaar Numbers: Input your PAN and Aadhaar numbers to check if they are linked.
- View Status: Click on ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’ to get the current status.
What to Do If Your PAN-Aadhaar is Not Linked Yet
If your PAN is still active but showing as inoperative due to missed deadlines, you can still link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online by paying the penalty. Your PAN will typically become operative within 7-30 days after the linkage, and all your TDS credits will be updated accordingly.
Exemption Categories for PAN-Aadhaar Linkage
Certain individuals are exempt from linking their PAN card with Aadhaar. These categories include:
- Residents of Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and Meghalaya.
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
- Super Senior Citizens (those above 80 years of age).
- Foreign Nationals or Non-Citizens of India.
Consequences of Not Linking PAN with Aadhaar
If you don’t link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online after the deadline, you may face several repercussions:
- Inability to File Income Tax Returns (ITR): You won’t be able to file your ITR or claim tax refunds.
- Higher TDS/TCS Rates: Your transactions will attract higher TDS/TCS rates.
- Restricted Financial Transactions: Inoperative PAN will prevent you from conducting financial transactions like opening a bank account, applying for a credit card, or purchasing high-value assets.
Making Corrections for PAN-Aadhaar Linking
If there’s a mismatch in details between your PAN and Aadhaar, you’ll need to correct them before you can successfully link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online. For a PAN mismatch, visit a PAN service center to update your details. For Aadhaar corrections, use the Aadhaar Self-Service Update Portal (SSUP) or visit an Aadhaar enrollment center.
Conclusion
Ensuring that you link your PAN card with Aadhaar card online after the deadline is essential to avoid higher TDS rates, penalties, and other financial complications. Whether you choose to link via the Income Tax e-filing portal, through SMS, or by visiting the NSDL portal, the process is simple and straightforward. Don’t delay, as linking your PAN and Aadhaar is not just a regulatory requirement but also a step towards ensuring smooth financial transactions in the future.