The PAN-Aadhaar linking final deadline is 10 days away and taxpayers across India must complete the mandatory process to avoid disruptions. As per government rules, any PAN not linked with Aadhaar will become inoperative from January 1, 2026 which will impact income tax filing, banking transactions, investments, and loan eligibility
PAN Aadhaar linking should be the top priority for citizens now as Failure to link PAN with Aadhaar before the deadline may also attract a penalty of Rs. 1,000, which will be mandatory to reactivate an inoperative PAN.
What Happens If PAN Is Not Linked With Aadhaar?
If the PAN Aadhaar linking is not completed within the stipulated timeline, the PAN will be considered inoperative, leading to multiple financial and compliance issues. An inoperative PAN cannot be used for Filing income tax returns (ITR), Opening or operating bank accounts, Making high-value financial transactions, Investing in mutual funds, shares, bonds, and insurance also Applying for personal loans, home loans, or low-interest loans. Additionally, higher TDS deduction rates may apply if PAN becomes inactive.
PAN-Aadhaar Linking Penalty Explained
Taxpayers who miss the PAN Aadhaar linking deadline will have to pay a penalty of Rs. 1,000 to complete the linking process. Only after payment of the penalty through the Income Tax e-Pay Tax facility will the PAN be reactivated and linked with Aadhaar.
What You Need Before Linking PAN With Aadhaar
Before starting the PAN Aadhaar linking online process, ensure that all details like Pan Number, Aadhar number are ready and accurate as any mismatch in details must be corrected through UIDAI or the PAN correction facility before proceeding.
How to Link Aadhaar With PAN Online: Step-by-Step Process
Taxpayers can easily complete PAN Aadhaar linking online through the Income Tax e‑Filing Portal by following these steps:
Step 1: First, visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal and click on the “Link Aadhaar” option available on the homepage.
Step 2: Enter your 10-digit PAN number and 12-digit Aadhaar number, then click continue.
Step 3: If linking after the deadline, select “Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax”, enter your PAN and registered mobile number.
Step 4: Verify using the OTP, and pay the Rs. 1,000 penalty.
Step 5: After payment, return to the Link Aadhaar page, re-enter your PAN, Aadhaar number, and name as per Aadhaar records.
Step 6: Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and click Validate to complete the PAN Aadhaar linking process.
How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Linking Status Online
To verify whether your PAN is already linked with Aadhaar, visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal and click on “Link Aadhaar Status.” Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and submit, The screen will display one of the following messages:
- Your Aadhaar is already linked with PAN
- Your Aadhaar-PAN linking request is pending
- Aadhaar is not linked with PAN
Who Is Exempt From PAN-Aadhaar Linking?
Certain categories of individuals are exempt from mandatory PAN Aadhaar linking, including the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Individuals who are not citizens of India, Individuals aged 80 years or above, Residents of Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir
These individuals are not required to link PAN with Aadhaar under current rules.
