FAQs on PAN Card

Let us look into a host of such frequently asked questions in the section below.

• Is quoting PAN mandatory at the time of filing Income Tax Returns?
  Yes. PAN is a unique way to differentiate various taxpayers. All taxpayers in the country are allocated a unique PAN which should mandatorily be quoted for successful income tax filing.
• Who should obtain a PAN?
  Any person or entity or who is liable to pay or deduct taxes should apply for PAN. All business entities who carry out transactions that cross Rs.5 lakh of annual turnover are required to obtain and furnish PAN.
• What is a Permanent Account Number or PAN?
  PAN is a unique identification number which is alphanumeric in nature and is issued by the Income Tax Department .
• Can PAN be obtained on anybody else’s behalf?
  Yes, in the case of minors and mentally challenged people, PAN can be applied by a representative assessment. Details of the assessment need to be provided in item 14 of the PAN application.
• How often does a PAN change and under what circumstances?
  PAN, as the name itself signifies is a permanent identification number and it thus, does not change under any circumstances, even when a person moves from one location to another.
• Can more than one PAN be obtained?
  No. processing multiple PANs is a punishable offense and may attract a penalty fee of up to Rs.10,000.
• How do I apply for PAN?
  PAN can be applied for either online or offline. There are two website partners for online application of PAN, one is UTITSL and the other is NSDL.
• Can a non-resident Indian apply for PAN?
  Yes. Even NRIs can apply for PAN, however, the application form that they use is form 49AA.
• Can PAN application be made on plain paper or is there a specific form?
  PAN application forms are available for application of PAN. Forms 49A and 49AA are the two forms available to entities wishing to apply for PAN.
• How many passport size photographs are required for PAN application?
  Two passport size photographs are required for PAN application. These photos should be duly affixed in the space provided in the form and should not be stapled or clipped to the PAN Application form .
• How do I go about filling the PAN application form?
  Elaborate and clear-cut instructions for filling in the PAN application form are available on the NSDL and UTIITSL websites. The form should ideally be filled in black ink and in capital letters.
• What are the supporting documents required to apply for PAN?
  The three most basic documents are required for PAN application. These are address proof, identity proof and date of birth proof.
• I do not know how to sign my name; how do I apply for PAN?
  Individuals who cannot sign their names are required to put in black ink, their left-hand thumb impression. This impression should then be attested by a magistrate or a gazette officer.
• How do I obtain the PAN application form?
  Application form for PAN can be obtained from any of the TIN/PAN facilitation center. The same can be downloaded at the NSDL or UTITSL website.
• How do I apply online for PAN?
  PAN application can be made online through one of the online partners for PAN; UTITSL and NSDL are two government facilitators who offer online services for application of PAN. Log on to any of these websites and fill in the online application form in case you want to apply online for PAN.
• What is the application fee for online application of PAN?
  The application fee currently, for online application of PAN is Rs.107. For PAN applications that require PAN Card to be posted to foreign address, a fee of Rs.989 (including service tax) is applicable.
• Is there any other charge that needs to be paid for PAN application processing?
  Apart from the application fee, no other charges need to be paid for PAN application process.
• Which application form is used for PAN application?
  Form 49A and 49AA are the two application forms out of which one form needs to be filled for PAN application, depending upon whether the applicant is an Indian national or a foreigner.
• How will I know the status of my PAN application?
  The status of the PAN application can be tracked via the status-tracking functionality available on the NSDL and UTIITSL websites. In general, NSDL or UTIITSL inform applicants about their PAN applications via regular updated emails.
• What if I have applied for PAN but have not received it till now?
  You will need to get in touch with NSDL or UTITSL, depending upon the agency which you chose to apply with. In case, there is an anomaly in the PAN application form, the agency will let you know and in such a case, you will be required to file a fresh PAN application.
• Can I apply for and hold two PANs?
  No. One and only one PAN per person is allowed. In case a person hold more than one PAN, then he/she is liable to pay a legal penalty of Rs.10,000.
• If I am an individual, do I require a PAN or TIN?
  PAN or Permanent Account Number is the identification number required by an individual to carry out tax-related and financial transactions. TIN is required by business enterprises for taxation purposes.
• How do I know my Assessing Officer Code?
  Assessing Officer Code can be found from the Income Tax Office or by contacting any of the IT PAN facilitation centers set up by the government in almost all cities and towns.
• How can I apply for a PAN Card? 
  You can apply for a PAN Card online through the NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) or UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited) websites, or offline by submitting Form 49A or Form 49AA along with the required documents to authorized PAN service centers.
• How do I pay PAN application fee at PAN Facilitation centers?
  PAN application charges of Rs.107 are to be paid in cash at the IT PAN Facilitation center where you are applying.
• Can I get a PAN card issued in case I have my old PAN Card with me but want the new tamper-proof card?
  Yes. A fresh application affixing the old PAN Card needs to be made along with the same fee of Rs.107. A new PAN Card will then be issued to you by the IT department.
• How will I get my PAN delivered?
  NSDL or UTITSL will dispatch your PAN card via courier on the address indicated by you in form 49A. The PAN card will need to be received after duly signing the courier receipt.
• What is the difference between form 49A and form 49AA?
  While form 49A is the PAN application form for Indians, form 49AA is for foreigners who hold financial transactions and require PAN.
• What are the guidelines for filling up the name field in PAN application?
  Name should in all possible cases, match exactly letter by letter with that displayed on your ID proof. Any deviation may cause rejection of PAN application by the IT department.
• I have made my PAN application on the older version of form 49A, is it fine?
  No. PAN applications need to be made only on the new PAN application form 49A. Any other format will only get your application rejected.
• What to write in last name if I just have a one word name?
  Your one word name should be filled in the Last Name field of the PAN application form. Any other format may get the application rejected.
• How do I fit in my name in form 49A if my name has five words?
  Your first name needs to go in the First Name field, Last word of your full name needs to be filled in the Last Name field and all remaining words should be filled in the Middle Name field of the form 49A.
• My name has been misspelled on the PAN card. How do I get it rectified?
  Correction of PAN needs to be applied for in this case. This can be applied the same way by visiting UTITSL or NSDL website.
• How do I submit the hard copies of proofs that are required for PAN application?
  Hard copies of required proofs should be sent via registered post or speed post to the Income Tax Office. The exact delivery address is specified on the NSDL as well as the UTITSL websites.
• Is it mandatory to furnish my telephone number on the PAN application form?
  No. Telephone number is not mandatory however, for a smooth and fast processing of PAN application, telephone number can be provided.
• What information is displayed on the PAN Card?
  Any PAN Card will feature your full name, your father’s name, date of birth, signature and photograph. Also for authenticity reasons, your PAN Card carries a PAN hologram
• Is it necessary to carry your PAN Card with you at all times?
  No. PAN Card can be carried if you want to show it as proof of identity, for example while travelling by train or airplane. It is prudent to keep your PAN card safely at one place so that it does not get lost or misplaced in case your luggage or wallet goes missing.
• I am an NRI, can I apply for PAN?
  Yes. Non Resident Indians too can apply for PAN  and avail the same. Only the application fee may be different and more in case the delivery address is out of India.
• How secure is the data that I furnish for PAN application?
  The third party that has been hired to manage and store data is into strict documentation protection and privacy policy with the Income Tax Department.
• Are there any separate charges that I need to pay apart from the application fee, at any point of the PAN application process?
  No. Apart from the application charges, no other fee is levied by the Income Tax Department for furnishing your PAN.
• I have a PAN Card but I do not pay taxes since I do not earn. Do I need to pay taxes?
  No. PAN is required for payment of income tax only if you are earning an income. In case, you do not ear, owning a PAN does not make you eligible to pay taxes.
• What is the processing time for PAN Card application?
• The processing time for PAN Card application typically ranges from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the method of application and other factors. Online applications usually have a quicker processing time compared to offline applications.
• Is it mandatory to link PAN Card with Aadhaar Card?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Yes, as per government regulations, it is mandatory to link your PAN Card with your Aadhaar card. Failure to do so may result in consequences such as invalidation of PAN Card or financial penalties.
• Can I apply for a PAN Card if I am an NRI (Non-Resident Indian)?

  Yes, NRIs can apply for a PAN Card if they have taxable income in India or engage in financial transactions within the country. They can use Form 49AA for PAN Card        application.

 46 . What is the significance of PAN Card in financial transactions?