How To Link Pan Card With Aadhaar Card

Linking your PAN card with your Aadhaar card is a simple but mandatory task. To link them you must visit the official Income Tax e-Filing portal, navigate to the Link Aadhaar section under Quick Links, enter your details, pay the ₹1000 penalty fee (if applicable) and verify the process using an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.

In 2026 having these two documents linked is no longer just a recommendation, it is a legal requirement for almost every financial activity in India. If they are not linked your PAN becomes inoperative which can lead to higher tax deductions and frozen bank accounts.

Why Linking PAN and Aadhaar is Mandatory in 2026?

The Indian government has made the linkage of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Aadhaar mandatory to create a more transparent financial system. By 2026 the integration between these two databases is nearly complete. The primary goal is to prevent the use of multiple PAN cards by a single individual and to curb tax evasion.

For most citizens the deadline to link without any penalty passed several years ago. In 2026 the process is still open but it comes with a standard fee. Keeping these cards linked ensures that your identity is verified across all government and financial platforms.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online

The most practical way to link your documents is through the official government website. You do not need to hire a professional; you can do it yourself in about 10 minutes.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to the Income Tax e-Filing website (https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/ ). Look for the section titled Quick Links on the home page. Click on the option that says Link Aadhaar.

Step 2: Enter Your Basic Details

You will see a form asking for your:

• PAN Number: Your 10-digit alphanumeric code.
• Aadhaar Number: Your 12-digit unique identity number.

Click on the Validate button. If your PAN and Aadhaar are already linked a pop-up will inform you. If not, the system will prompt you to proceed with the payment.

Step 3: Paying the Fee (e-Pay Tax)

Since the free linking window has closed you must pay a fee of ₹1000.

1. Click on Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax.
2. Enter your PAN and confirm it.
3. Enter your mobile number to receive a one-time password (OTP).
4. Once the OTP is verified select the Income Tax tile and click Proceed.
5. Select the current Assessment Year (2026-27) and choose Other Receipts (500) as the Type of Payment.
6. The fee of ₹1000 will be auto-filled. Complete the payment using Net Banking Debit Card or UPI.

Step 4: Final Submission

After making the payment wait for a few hours (sometimes up to 48 hours) for the payment to reflect in the system.

1. Go back to the Link Aadhaar page.
2. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar details again.
3. Provide your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card.
4. Enter your mobile number and click Link Aadhaar.
5. Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your phone and click Validate.

Your request will be sent to the UIDAI for verification. You can check the status after a few days.

What Happens if You Don't Link PAN and Aadhaar?

If you miss linking these documents your PAN card is marked as inoperative. While the card itself is not cancelled it becomes useless for most transactions. Here is a breakdown of the facilities you will lose:

1. Income Tax Filing and Refunds

You cannot file your Income Tax Returns (ITR) if your PAN is inoperative. Furthermore any pending tax refunds from previous years will be withheld. You will also stop earning interest on those delayed refunds until the linking is complete.

2. Higher Tax Deductions (TDS/TCS)

This is the biggest financial blow. Under Indian tax laws (Section 206AA) if you do not have an operative PAN banks and employers are required to deduct tax at a much higher rate.

• Normal TDS: Usually 10% on interest.
• Inoperative PAN TDS: Can go up to 20%.

3. Banking Restrictions

Most banks in 2026 require an active PAN for high-value transactions. Without it you may face:

• Inability to open a new bank account.
• Restrictions on cash deposits exceeding ₹50000.
• Difficulty in applying for credit cards or personal loans.

4. Investment Freezes

If you invest in the stock market or mutual funds an inoperative PAN will halt your activities. You will not be able to:

• Buy or sell shares.
• Start a new Systematic Investment Plan (SIP).
• Redeem your existing mutual fund units.

Alternative Ways to Link in 2026

While the online portal is the fastest method there are other ways to link your documents if you lack internet access or face technical issues.

Linking via SMS

You can send a formatted message from your registered mobile number to 567678 or 56161. The format is:

UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN>

Note: This method only works if your name and date of birth are identical on both documents. If there is a mismatch the SMS request will be rejected.

Offline Linking at Service Centers

You can visit a PAN Service Center (managed by NSDL or UTIITSL). You will need to fill out a physical form and provide copies of your PAN and Aadhaar cards. A fee will still apply and you may need to pay a small additional service charge.

Government Facilities: Available vs. Unavailable

Service/Facility

Status (If Unlinked)

Reason

Filing ITR

Unavailable

Portal blocks inoperative PANs.

Receiving Tax Refunds

Unavailable

Refunds are frozen by the department.

Opening Savings Account

Available (Conditional)

Some banks allow it with Form 60 but it's difficult.

Buying a Car

Unavailable

Transactions over ₹10 Lakh require valid PAN.

Investing in Mutual Funds

Unavailable

KYC requires an operative PAN.

Applying for Passport

Available

Aadhaar is the primary document for passports.

Government Subsidies

Available

Subsidies like LPG or PDS rely on Aadhaar not PAN.

Dealing with Data Mismatches

One of the most common reasons linking fails is a mismatch in data. In 2026 the validation process will be very strict.

Name Mismatch

If your name is Rajesh Kumar on your PAN but Rajesh K. on your Aadhaar the linking will fail. You must first update one of the documents to match the other.

• To fix PAN: Use the NSDL or UTIITSL website.
• To fix Aadhaar: Visit a nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or use the UIDAI portal for address/name updates.

Date of Birth Mismatch

Even a one-day difference in your date of birth will cause the system to reject your linking request. Ensure both documents show the exact same Day, Month and Year.

Exemptions: Who Doesn't Need to Link?

Not everyone in India is legally required to link their PAN with Aadhaar. As of 2026 the following categories are exempt:

1. Residents of Specific States: People living in Assam Jammu & Kashmir and Meghalaya (subject to current government notifications).
2. Senior Citizens: Individuals who are 80 years of age or older.
3. Non-Citizens: People who are not citizens of India but hold a PAN for specific transactions.
4. NRIs: Non-Resident Indians as per the Income Tax Act.

If you fall into these categories your PAN will remain operative even if it is not linked to an Aadhaar card.

How to Check Your Linking Status?

If you are unsure whether your documents are already connected follow these steps:

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
2. Click on Link Aadhaar Status under Quick Links.
3. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.
4. Click View Link Aadhaar Status.

Summary of Important Facts for 2026

• Penalty Fee: ₹1000 is mandatory for most users.
• Portal: incometax.gov.in is the only official site for online linking.
• Inoperative PAN: Your PAN doesn't expire but it loses its active status for financial work.
• TDS Rate: Expect a 20% deduction on income if your cards are not linked.
• Processing Time: It usually takes 7 to 30 days for a PAN to become Active again after you complete the linking process.