PAN aka Permanent Account Number is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric marker that identifies you as a taxpayer in the country. It is a must for all, including individuals, companies, and non-resident Indians (NRIs). Now, if you're wondering how to apply for PAN card online, follow this guide. It'll be quite simple and including a nominal processing fee. The guide also includes steps for how to check PAN Card status online and how to download e-PAN card on your device.
Table of Contents
Step 1: To apply for PAN Card online, visit NSDL (https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html) or UTITISL (https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/PAN/index.jsp) website
Step 2: Select 'Application Type' and 'Category'. If you're a citizen of India, select Form 49A otherwise opt for Form 49AA (applicable for NRIs only).
Step 3: After this, fill out the 'Application information' section on the same page, which includes 'Title', Surname, First name (optional), Last name (optional), DoB, email ID and Mobile number
Step 4: Agree to the page's terms and conditions, enter the CAPTCHA code, and hit enter
Step 5: An OTP will be sent to your mobile number/ email ID for verification
Step 6: Once you verify it, a temporary user ID and password will be created
Step 7: After you've filled out the form, you'll be asked to make a payment, which can be done through credit/debit card, demand draft or net banking.
Step 8: Once the application and payment are accepted, you'll be asked to submit documents while applying for a PAN card online for identification purposes. These documents are as follows:
Application type | Documents for verifications |
Individual Applicant | POI (proof of identity) / POA (proof of address) - Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence |
Hindu Undivided Family | An affidavit of the HUF issued by the head of HUF along with POI/POA details |
Company registered in India | Certificate of Registration issued by Registrar of Companies |
Firms/ Partnership (LLP) | Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Firms/ Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnership Deed. |
Trust | Copy of Trust Deed or a copy of the Certificate of Registration Number issued by a Charity Commissioner. |
Society | Certificate of Registration Number from Registrar of Co-operative Society or Charity Commissioner |
Foreigners | Passport PIO/ OCI card issued by the Indian Government Bank statement of the residential country Copy of NRE bank statement in India |
Step 9: You can scan or upload these documents or send to NSDL/ UTIITSL through courier/post
Step 10: After the successful completion of the form, the PAN card is delivered to the submitted address within 15 days
Your PAN Card is valid for a lifetime and is unaffected by any change in address. No two people on tax-paying entities can have the same PAN cards. As per provisions of Section 272B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, a penalty of Rs 10,000 can be levied on possession of more than one PAN.
PAN Card status can be checked online through respective NSDL/ UTIITSL portals.
Step 1: If you've applied for a PAN Card online via NSDL, go to its homepage and select the 'Registered User' option
Step 2: Enter Temporary Token number (which you may have received while applying for the PAN Card online), email ID, DoB, and Captcha Code
Step 3: Click on 'Submit' to proceed. The following screen will tell you the status of your PAN card.
UTIITSL users can click on 'Track PAN Card' from the home page and enter the Application coupon number or PAN number, DoB, and CAPTCHA code to check PAN Card status.
NSDL/ UTIITSL issues e-PAN cards to users, which can be downloaded to the device. NSDL sends the e-PAN card to your registered email ID. The file is encrypted, enter your date of birth in dd/mm/yy format to unlock.
Step 1: UTIITSL has a section on its homepage that allows users to download PAN Card
Step 2: Click on the 'Download e-PAN' option
Step 3: Enter PAN number, DoB, CAPTCHA Code, and hit 'Submit' to download e-PAN
This facility is only available for users who have applied for a fresh PAN or applied for the latest change/correction update with UTIITSL and who have earlier registered a valid and active mobile number or email with their PAN record with the Income Tax department.
NSDL and UTIITSL both allow you to make changes/ corrections to your PAN card. You can do it offline by sending physical documents to the department or online through the respective portals.
Step 1: Go to the NSDL website and this time select 'Changes or correction to existing PAN data' options from the 'Application Type' dropdown menu
Step 2: UTIITSL has a 'Change/ Correction in PAN card' option on the home screen. Click on it and look for 'Apply for Change/ Correction in PAN card details'
Step 3: Select the 'Digital' option. For this, you need to have an Aadhaar card with a registered mobile number.
Step 4: Fill in all the necessary details and your PAN card will be updated after verification in a few days
Step 5: The fee for a request for changes or corrections in PAN data is somewhere around Rs 100
If you are a resident Indian, you can apply for a new PAN Card by paying Rs 110. If you are an NRI, then you have to pay online Rs 1,011.
A PAN Card can be for individuals, an association of persons, a body of individuals, an artificial judicial person, local authority, HUF (Hindu undivided family), companies, firms/ partnerships, trusts, society, and foreigners.