Published on May 29, 2025Updated on Dec 24, 2025
Your Aadhaar card and PAN card serve as important identity documents and are vital for processes like tax filing, applying for a passport, loans, and more.
As per Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, every Indian citizen who has been allotted a PAN is required to link it with their Aadhaar. Failure to do so can result in the deactivation of your PAN, which may prevent you from filing income tax returns, receiving refunds, or lead to higher TDS deductions. Hence, if you haven’t already, it’s important to complete your PAN Aadhaar linking process.
In this article, we’ll explore how to link your PAN card and Aadhaar card online to avoid penalties and ensure continued compliance.
You can link your Aadhaar with PAN card online through the Income Tax e-filing portal. Visit the website, click on ‘Link Aadhaar’, and provide your PAN/Aadhaar card numbers. Upon validation, your request to link PAN and Aadhaar will be processed.
Alternatively, you can also link your PAN and Aadhaar through SMS . Simply text UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar number> <10-digit PAN number> to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number. Please double-check your PAN and Aadhaar numbers before sending the message.
The deadline for PAN Aadhaar linking without a penalty was 30 June 2023, unless you received your PAN based on an Aadhaar enrolment ID before 1 October 2024. If you missed the deadline, you are now required to pay a penalty of INR 1,000 to link your PAN with your Aadhaar.
There are two primary ways to link your Aadhaar and PAN card. Below, we’ve outlined the steps to link PAN with Aadhaar:
Step 1: Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal.
Step 2: Find ‘Link Aadhaar’ under Quick Links.
Step 3: Enter your PAN and Aadhaar card numbers and click on the ‘Validate’ button.
Step 4: Enter your name (as per Aadhaar card) and your mobile number.
Step 5: Click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ button.
Step 6: You should have received an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter it and click on ‘Validate’.
Once this is done, your request for linking PAN with Aadhaar will be sent to the UIDAI for validation.
Step 1: Log in to the e-filing portal of the income tax department using your user ID and password.
Step 2: After logging into your account, click on ‘Link Aadhaar’. You can also select this option by clicking on ‘My Profile’.
Step 3: Now, enter your Aadhaar card number and click on the ‘Validate’ button.
Step 4: A pop-up will appear to confirm that your Aadhaar card has been successfully linked with your PAN.
Not sure if your PAN and Aadhaar cards are linked? Here’s how you can check the PAN Aadhaar link status:
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ tab on the homepage.
Step 3: Now, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click on ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’.
You will see a pop-up that tells you whether your PAN is already linked to your Aadhaar or not.
If you’ve received your PAN card through your Aadhaar enrollment ID before 1 October 2024, linking PAN and Aadhaar is free until 31 December 2025. After that, you may be subjected to the penalties for not linking Aadhaar and PAN.
If you’re experiencing problems with your PAN Aadhaar link status, you can reach out to the Income Tax Department Help Desk. You can call on these toll-free numbers for assistance: 1800 103 0025 or 1800 419 0025.
Linking your PAN and Aadhaar is not just a legal requirement – it’s essential for seamless financial transactions and compliance with tax regulations. These documents are also crucial KYC documents when applying for financial products such as personal loans. They help lenders verify your identity and financial credibility, enabling fast and smooth loan processing.
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Yes, according to current regulations, every individual who has a valid PAN card, regardless of their taxpayer status, must link their Aadhaar and PAN.
If you don't link your PAN to your Aadhaar, your PAN card might become inactive. This means you won't be able to file your income tax returns.
NRIs, citizens of age 80 years and above, and residents of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya are exempted from Aadhaar PAN linking.
Individuals who have obtained their PAN card using Aadhaar enrolment ID before 1 October 2024 can link their PAN with Aadhaar before 31 December 2025.
The process of linking your PAN with Aadhaar may take about 6 to 7 days. It can be longer if your PAN is inactive.
To check your PAN Aadhaar link status, compose and send this SMS: UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar number> <10-digit PAN number> to 567678/56161.
Yes, all Indian citizens who have a PAN Card, including housewives, should link it with their Aadhaar Card.
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