How to verify PAN validity and link PAN with Aadhaar for ITR filing 2023-24

Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2023-24 requires ensuring that your Permanent Account Number (PAN) is valid and linked to your Aadhaar. This linking is mandated to streamline tax administration and curb fraudulent activities. Here’s a detailed guide on how to verify the validity of your PAN and ensure it is linked to your Aadhaar.

Verifying Your PAN's Validity

To confirm that your PAN is valid and active, follow these steps through the official income tax website:

Check Details: Ensure that the name and date of birth mentioned on your PAN card are accurate.

Visit the official website, incometax.gov.in.

Access Verification Page: On the left-hand side menu, click on ‘Verify your PAN status’.

Enter Required Information: You will be redirected to a page where you need to input your PAN, full name, date of birth, and mobile number. Make sure the details match those on your PAN card.

Receive OTP: A six-digit OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Complete Verification: Enter the OTP. If the verification is successful, you will receive a message stating, "PAN is active and details as per PAN."

It is essential to verify your PAN's validity to avoid any issues during the ITR filing process.

Linking PAN and Aadhaar

In addition to verifying your PAN's validity, it is crucial to ensure that your PAN and Aadhaar are linked. If they are not linked, your PAN will become inoperative, which means you can still file your returns, but refunds will not be processed until the linking is done. The process requires a nominal fee of Rs 1,000 if missed by the initial June 30, 2023, deadline.

Steps to Link PAN and Aadhaar

• Check Linking Status: Before proceeding, check if your PAN and Aadhaar are already linked by visiting the e-filing portal.
• Enter Details: Provide your PAN and Aadhaar details to check the linking status.
• Confirm Linkage: If your PAN and Aadhaar are linked, no further action is needed.
• Log In: If they are not linked, log in to incometax.gov.in using your PAN as the user ID.
• E-Pay Tax: Navigate to e-file > e-pay tax > New payment.
• Select Payment Type: Choose 'Other receipts (500)' and continue.
• Payment Amount: A pre-filled amount of Rs 1,000 will be displayed; click on Continue.
• Complete Payment: Select your bank account and proceed to make the payment.
• Download Challan: After payment, download the challan by going to e-File > e-Pay Tax > Payment History.
• Link Aadhaar: Return to the e-filing portal’s homepage, click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ tab on the left-hand menu.
• Validate Information: Enter your PAN and Aadhaar details, and validate.

Exemptions

Not everyone is required to link their PAN with Aadhaar. Individuals who are exempt from this requirement will not face any penalties or consequences for not linking the two documents.

Ensuring your PAN is valid and linked to your Aadhaar is a critical step in the ITR filing process for 2023-24. The linking not only helps streamline the tax process but also prevents fraud and ensures that the benefits of government schemes reach the rightful beneficiaries. By following the outlined steps, you can verify your PAN’s validity and complete the linking process efficiently. Make sure to adhere to the deadlines and guidelines to avoid any disruptions in your tax-related activities.