Those of you who still don’t have a PAN card but want to apply for it can read the following article to learn how they can get a PAN card without any hassle.
In this article, you will learn how you can apply for a PAN card online as well as offline, what documentation you require and what fee you have to pay.
Later in the article, I will also give some useful tips you need to keep in mind before applying for a PAN card.
Here we go …
What is PAN Card?
As you know, a PAN Card or Permanent Account Number is a physical card used to identify all the taxpayers in the country. PAN Card is issued by the Income Tax Department in association with authorized district-level PAN agencies UTI ITSL.
There are different types of PAN Cards:
- For Individuals
- For Indian Companies
- For Foreign Citizens
- For Foreign Companies
A Pan Card consists of a ten-digit unique alphanumeric (containing alphabets and numerical) number for easy identification of an individual.
PAN Cards are assigned mostly to Indians who pay taxes. Your PAN card's unique identification number is assigned by a computer-based system.
Through this system, all your tax-related information is stored against your single PAN number. This information is shared all across the country to ensure no two taxpaying individuals have the same PAN number.
Your PAN Card will have your photograph, name, date of birth, father’s name or spouse’s name printed on it. Your PAN card is valid for a lifetime despite address change.
Why is a PAN Card Important?
A PAN Card is a very important document for a taxpayer.
You can’t perform the following tasks without a PAN card:
- Without a PAN card, you can’t file your tax returns.
- If your income falls in the taxable bracket and you don’t have a PAN Card, then you will be charged a flat 30% tax on your earnings and wealth. Moreover, you will be unable to buy an immovable property worth over Rs 10 Lacs.
- Businesses will be unable to conduct huge sums of financial activities.
- You can’t purchase or sell a property.
- You Can't Open a Bank Account, a Fixed Deposit, apply for a loan or get a credit/debit card.
- Unable to make insurance premium payment
Following are the benefits of a PAN Card:
- It is a valid identity proof throughout the country.
- PAN is the best possible way to keep track of your tax payments.
- Misuse of PAN is very difficult for tax evaders.
- With a PAN Card, you can get utility connections like telephone, LPG, internet, etc.
Also Read:
- List of Private & Public Sector Banks in India
- How Safe is Your Money with Banks in India? Here You Will Get Answer
PAN Card Eligibility
Are there any eligibility criteria for applying for a PAN Card?
Well! The criteria are very simple,
- Any person, who is liable to pay tax or has paid tax earlier is eligible for PAN Card.
- Any individual who has a business earning more than Rs 5 Lacs per annum is eligible for a PAN Card.
- Importers and exporters are liable to pay any kind of taxes.
- Trusts, Charitable Organizations, etc.
- All taxable entities, from minors to companies, are eligible for PAN.
Also Read:
How to Apply for PAN Card: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Apply for PAN Card Online?
There are two ways you can apply for a PAN Card: Online and Offline.
To apply online, you have two choices: first, one is by visiting the NSDL web portal, and second is the UTIITSL website.
On either web portals, you must fill out Form 49A for Indian Citizens (or Form 49AA for non-Indian Citizens).
Follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Applying Through NSDL
Step 1: Visit the official NSDL website here
Step 2: Choose the type of application you want to apply – Form 49A or Form 49AA. Select from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Select your category – Individual or associations of persons or a body of individuals, etc.
Step 4: Fill in your personal details carefully. Enter your last name, first name and middle name, date of birth, email address, mobile number, etc.
Step 5: After submitting the form, Click on the “Continue with the PAN Card Application form” button.
Step 6: On the next page, you will be given two options for submitting the supporting documents. Either you choose to submit your digital e-KYC or submit scanned copies and mail copies physically. Choose digital e-KYC options if you’re applying for a PAN Card online.
Step 7: In the next section, enter the area code, AO Type and other details in the form.
Step 8: For the e-KYC Option, it needs to be verified by an Aadhar OTP sent to your registered mobile number. Select Aadhar as your proof of identity, Address and DoB and Click “Proceed”.
Step 9: Make the payment of Rs 101/- through your debit card or UPI.
Step 10: For Aadhar authentication, click on the “Authentication” Option.
Step 11: Click on the ‘Continue with e-KYC’ to get an OTP on your mobile number.
Step 12: Verify the OTP and submit the form.
Step 13: The next step is to verify the e-sign by clicking on “Continue with e-sign”. Enter your 12-digit Aadhar number and OTP will be sent to your mobile number.
Step 14: After verifying the OTP, an acknowledgement slip will be provided as a PDF document that opens with your DoB as a password.
2. Applying Through UTIITSL
You can also apply by going to the UTIITSL website here.
Step 1: Go to the website and select PAN services.
Step 2: On the new page, select “Apply for a New PAN Card (Form 49A)”
Step 3: You can choose ‘Physical Mode’ or ‘Digital Mode’. Since you are applying online, you better choose ‘Digital Mode’. In this mode, your filled application form is signed using the Dsc mode or Aadhar-based e-signature and submitted online.
Step 4: Fill in all the necessary information like name, address, mobile number, etc. Check all the fields are correctly filled, and click on the submit button.
Step 5: After verification, make the payment online via debit card or net banking.
Step 6: Download and save the payment receipt as a soft copy.
Step 7: Take a printout of the filled application form and affix two passport-sized photographs by signing across the space provided for the signature.
Step 8: Attach the mandatory documents required for ID proof, address, and DoB. Then, submit the documents along with the filled application form online.
How to Apply for PAN Card Offline?
If you are not that tech-savvy, then you can apply for your PAN Offline.
You can visit your nearest NSDL/UTIITSL centre and implement the following steps.
Step 1: Download form 49A online from here and take a printout.
Step 2: Fill out the form carefully and affix it with two passport-size photographs.
Step 3: You can pay the fees as a demand draft drawn in favour of ‘NSDL – PAN’ payable at MUMBAI/UTITSL.
Step 4: Attach all the necessary documents like copies of ID proof, address, and DoB with self-attestation.
Step 5: Send your application to the following address
Income Tax PAN Services Unit,
NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited,
5th floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341,
Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony,
Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune – 411016
Documents Required for PAN Card
You need to submit proof of your identity, proof of your address, proof of date of birth and registration certificate (for companies) to get your PAN Card.
Following is the list of documents you need for applying PAN Card:
- Aadhaar Card issued by UIDAI
- Voter ID Card
- Passport
- Driving License
- Ration Card with your photograph
- Arm’s License
- Photo ID Card issued by state or central government
- Domicile Certificate issued by government
- Pensioner’s Card
- Ex-Servicemen Health Scheme Card
- Bank Account Statement
- Post Office Passbook
- Latest Property Tax Assessment Order
- Utility bills such as electricity bill, water bill, Landline or broadband connection
- Credit Card Statement
Fees and Charges for PAN Card Application
Here is the table for PAN Card application fees.
| Mode of Submission | Details | Fees |
| PAN application submitted physically for physical dispatch of PAN Card | Dispatch of Physical PAN Card In India | Rs 107/- |
| Dispatch of Physical PAN Card Outside India | Rs 1017/- | |
| PAN application submitted paperless for physical dispatch of PAN Card | Dispatch of Physical PAN Card In India | Rs 101/- |
| Dispatch of Physical PAN Card Outside India | Rs 1011.- | |
| PAN application submitted physically for e-PAN Card | e-PAN dispatched at your email ID | Rs 72/- |
| PAN application submitted paperless for e-PAN Card | e-PAN dispatched at your email ID | Rs 66/- |
Checking and Tracking Delivery PAN Card Status
You can check your PAN card application status online on the websites of UTIITSL and NSDL.
Visit UTIITSL website’s application status tracking page and use your coupon number along with your Date of Birth and Captcha code.
You can check your application status on the NSDL website. You just have to enter your 15 digit acknowledgement number in the PAN card status tracking page.
You can track the delivery status of your PAN Card online by visiting the website of your speed post tracking portal and entering the consignment number.
You can also track your consignment number via SMS service.
Checking the application and delivery status of your PAN card is very simple.
Do’s and Don’ts for PAN Card Application
The following tips will come in handy if you are applying for a PAN Card for the first time.
Do’s
- Fill in all the details correctly, like your name, address, contact information, etc. Enter the right ZIP Code in the address field.
- Fill in all the details in capital letters.
- Always Write your full name and complete address in the application form.
- Never use initials for your first and last name columns.
- Don’t make corrections or try to overwrite any information in the form.
- Get your thumb impression attested by the Magistrate before submitting the form to avoid disqualification.
Don’ts
- If your PAN Card is stolen, then don’t apply for a new PAN Card. Request for a duplicate one.
- Never submit address proof or identity proof that is not in your name.
- Don’t fill any other boxes in the form other than your signature.
- Never pin or staple your photograph.
I hope after reading this article, you will be able to apply for a PAN card online as well as offline without any hassle. All the important information has been provided in the article.
You are just a few steps away from getting your PAN Card. Make sure you follow the steps accurately mentioned in the article.
