What is PAN Card?
PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10 digit alpha-numeric number selected by the Income Tax Department to taxpayers and to the persons who submit an application for it under the Income Tax Act, 1961. This number allows the department to connect all transactions of the “person” with the department. These transactions include tax payments, returns of income/wealth, TDS/TCS credits, correspondence, particular transactions, and so on. PAN, thus, acts as an identifier for the “person” with the Income tax department. In fact, PAN has now taken on the role of “identifier” beyond the Income tax department as it is now required for various activities like opening of bank account, opening of demat accounts, obtaining registration for Service Tax, Sales Tax / VAT etc.
PAN Card Application
The services like receiving PAN application forms, confirmation of the documents submitted, digitizing the PAN application form, upload the data on the NCC (National Computer Centre), printing PAN cards and dispatch of PAN cards have been outsourced to Service Providers, M/s UTIITSL and M/s NSDL. The Service Providers through their network of 11,143 front offices (PAN centers), accept and process the PAN application submitted by applicants. However, the PAN is making through robust software at National Computer Centre (NCC) of the Income Tax Department and after that printed and dispatched through service suppliers.
PAN Notification
New PAN application forms have been notified. FORM 49A is notified for use of Indian Citizens/Indian Companies/Entities Incorporated in India/Unincorporated entities formed in India whereas FORM 49AA is for Individuals not being a Citizen of India/Entities incorporated outside India/ Unincorporated entities formed outside India.
Aadhaar by PAN Applicant
Space for proving AADHAAR Number by PAN applicant has been added in the PAN application Form 49A. As on 5.12.2012 1, 75,136 unique AADHAAR numbers have been seeded into PAN database. The work of establishment of on-line AADHAAR authentication ability is under process.
Obtaining Pan Card
Getting PAN is optional and voluntary like driving license, passport, Aadhaar etc. Its use is obligatory at necessary places, like PAN for high-value financial transactions. One can apply for PAN card by submitting the prescribed PAN application to the authorized PAN agency of the district or through online assent to NSDL along with address proof, two face-photos, and fees. In case of Re-print (re-issue), a photocopy of the old PAN is also required. Quoting Aadhaar Number attached with Aadhaar card is optional presently. However, it is recommended to provide Aadhaar letter now, if one has it, so that PAN gets linked to Aadhaar. It will save future effort of Aadhaar linking when it becomes mandatory. It takes about one month to receive the card and is sent by registered India Post.
Re-print or re-issue or data correction of PAN Card
Application should be complete on Form-49AE either at the counter of the authorized PAN agency of the district or through online mode. In case of online, one needs to print the submitted application, attach 2 face photos, address proof, attach ID proof, photocopy of old PAN and fee of Rs.105/= through online banking, cheque or demand draft. Send the finished paper application with attachments by post to NSDL office at — ‘NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited, 5th floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341, Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony, Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune – 411016’, India. Those who wish to update/ correct personal data (photo, address, date of birth) or replace their damaged/ lost/ older non-plastic PAN card (i.e. laminated paper PAN) by the new plastic card PAN can simply apply for Reprint.
