As per the Income Tax Department notification, income tax returns could be e-filed without linking Aadhaar and PAN till 5 August 2017. However, the deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar, was extended to 31 December 2017 and thereafter the due date was extended for multiple times. Now, the deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar is 31st March, 2022.
Do note that while income tax returns can be filed without linking, the tax department will not process the returns until PAN and Aadhaar are linked. People can visit the official e-filing website of the department to link the two identities, in both cases– identical names in the two databases or in a case where there is a minor mismatch.
Online Linking of Aadhaar Number and PAN
Online linking of the Aadhaar number with PAN can be done by logging on to the income tax e-filing portal. There are two ways of doing it on the income tax portal.
1. Without logging in to your account (2 step procedure)
2. Logging in to your account (6 step procedure)
Method 1: Without logging in to your account (2 step procedure)
Step 1: Go to www.incometax.gov.in.On scrolling down the home page, click on the ‘Our Services’ tab.
Step 2: Enter the following details:
- PAN;
- Aadhaar no.,
- Name as exactly specified on the Aadhaar card (avoid spelling mistakes), and
- Mobile number
In case if only year of birth is mentioned in your Aadhaar card, then select the check box asking “I have only year of birth in Aadhaar card”.
Tick on the box that says, “I agree to validate my Aadhaar details”. It is mandatory to select this check box to proceed further for Aadhaar linking.
Select Continue.
You will receive a 6-digit One Time Password on your mobile number. Enter this OTP on the verification page on your screen. Once you enter the OTP, click on ‘Validate’ button.
Method 2: Logging in to your account (6 step procedure)
Step 1: Register yourself at the income tax e filing portal, if you are not already registered.
Step 2: Log in to the e-Filing portal of the Income Tax Department by entering the User ID.
Step 3: Confirm your secure access message and enter password. And click ‘continue’ to proceed further.
Step 4: After logging in to the site, Click on ‘Link Aadhaar’. Alternatively go to My Profile and select ‘Link Aadhaar’ under option available under ‘Personal Details’.
Step 5: Enter details, such as name, date of birth and gender
will already be mentioned as per the details submitted at the time of registration on the e-Filing portal. Enter Aadhaar number and name as per Aadhaar. Verify the details on the screen with the ones mentioned on your Aadhaar card.
It is mandatory to give your consent by selecting the check box “I agree to validate my Aadhaar details”.
In case if only year of birth is mentioned in your Aadhaar card, then select the check box asking “I have only year of birth in Aadhaar card”.
Click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ button.
Step 6: A pop-up message will inform you that your Aadhaar number has been successfully linked to your PAN card.
Linking of Aadhaar Number and PAN via SMS
Now you can link your Aadhaar and PAN through SMS also. The Income Tax Department has urged taxpayers to link their Aadhaar with their PAN, using an SMS-based facility. It can be done by sending an SMS to either 567678 or 56161. Send SMS to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number in the following format:
UIDPAN<SPACE><12 digit Aadhaar><Space><10 digit PAN>
Example: UIDPAN 123456789123 AKPLM2124M
Frequently Asked Questions
While trying for PAN Aadhar linking, I get a message that the authentication has failed?
The authentication fails due to a mismatch in the data between your PAN and Aadhaar. You can check for the correctness of the data such as name, date of birth, mobile number, amongst others.
How do I link PAN and Aadhaar if there is a mismatch in name or date of birth?
Initiate the Aadhaar linking process, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, and the name, date of birth and mobile number details as per your Aadhaar card, the income tax department will send an OTP on the registered mobile number to enable the linking. In the case of a mismatch in the date of birth, you need to update your Aadhaar card data.
Can I file my ITR if my PAN and Aadhaar are not linked?
You need to quote your Aadhaar number for the purpose of filing your income tax return. In the absence of an Aadhaar number, you need to quote Aadhaar enrolment number.
Does a non-resident (NRI) require to link PAN and Aadhaar?
Only as resident Indian can get an Aadhaar number. An individual whose stay in India is 182 days or more in the previous 12 months, immediately before the date of an Aadhaar application is a resident. An NRI need not obtain Aadhaar and link their PAN with Aadhaar.