Have you checked whether your PAN card is linked with Aadhaar? If not, it’s worth checking, especially if you use your PAN for banking, investments or income tax purposes.
The Government of India requires most eligible PAN holders to link their Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar. If you haven’t completed the process, your PAN may become inoperative, which can create difficulties with certain financial and tax-related services.
The good news is that you can complete PAN–Aadhaar linking online through the official Income Tax Department website.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to link Aadhaar with PAN online, check your linking status, pay the applicable fee and resolve common errors.
Why Is PAN–Aadhaar Linking Important?
PAN is a 10-character identification number issued by the Income Tax Department, while Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number issued by UIDAI.
Linking these two records helps the government verify taxpayer identities and reduce duplicate or fraudulent PAN usage.
If your PAN becomes inoperative because of non-linking, you may face consequences such as:
Delays or restrictions involving income tax refunds
Higher TDS or TCS rates where applicable
Problems with certain financial transactions
Restrictions on some Income Tax Department services
Important: An inoperative PAN is not the same as a permanently cancelled PAN. Eligible holders can make it operative again by completing the required linking procedure.
How to Link Aadhaar with PAN Online: Step-by-Step
You can link your PAN and Aadhaar through the official Income Tax e-Filing portal without creating an account or logging in.
If the portal determines that a fee is required, select Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax.
For delayed linking, the prescribed fee is currently ₹1,000.
Complete the payment using the available online payment options.
Step 4: Submit Your Linking Request
After payment verification, return to the Link Aadhaar service.
Enter the requested information and click Link Aadhaar.
Step 5: Complete OTP Verification
Enter the six-digit OTP received on the mobile number provided during the linking process.
Click Validate to submit your request.
After successful submission, you can check whether the linking has been completed.
Helpful tip: If you have already paid the fee but the portal cannot find your payment, allow four to five working days for verification before trying again. Avoid making duplicate payments immediately.
How to Pay the PAN–Aadhaar Linking Fee
If the portal asks you to pay the delayed linking fee, use its official e-Pay Tax service.
Open the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Select e-Pay Tax.
Choose the applicable Income Tax Act, 2025 option.
Enter your PAN and complete mobile OTP verification.
Select Income Tax under New Payment.
Choose Other Receipts (500).
Select Fee for delay in linking PAN with Aadhaar.
Pay the displayed amount and save your challan receipt.
Payment alone does not complete Aadhaar–PAN linking. You must also submit the linking request afterward.
How to Check Aadhaar–PAN Link Status
Not sure whether your PAN is already linked? Check before paying any fee.
The portal will display whether your PAN and Aadhaar are linked or whether verification is still pending.
This status-checking facility is available without logging in.
Who Is Exempt from PAN–Aadhaar Linking?
According to the Income Tax Department, the linking requirement does not apply to certain notified categories, including:
Residents of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya
Non-residents under applicable income tax rules
Individuals aged 80 years or above during the relevant year
Individuals who are not Indian citizens
Exemptions are subject to applicable government notifications.
Also, people who received their PAN through the newer Aadhaar-based application process generally have PAN–Aadhaar linking completed automatically.
What if PAN and Aadhaar Details Do Not Match?
Sometimes, a linking request fails because your name, date of birth or other personal information differs between PAN and Aadhaar records.
For example, your Aadhaar might display a full name while your PAN contains an incorrect spelling.
To resolve the problem:
Compare the details on both documents.
Identify which record contains incorrect information.
Request the necessary correction through UIDAI, Protean or UTIITSL.
Retry PAN–Aadhaar linking after the correction is completed.
If biometric verification is required, the Income Tax Department also provides guidance on using authorised PAN service centres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PAN–Aadhaar linking free in 2026?
Delayed linking generally requires a ₹1,000 fee. However, new PAN applications normally include automatic Aadhaar linking, and certain exemptions apply.
Can I link PAN with Aadhaar using my mobile?
Yes. Open the official Income Tax e-Filing website in your mobile browser and follow the linking procedure.
Can I link PAN with Aadhaar without logging in?
Yes. The Income Tax Department provides a pre-login linking facility.
What was the last date for PAN–Aadhaar linking?
The general deadline was June 30, 2023. A special deadline of December 31, 2025, applied to certain PAN holders who had originally used an Aadhaar Enrolment ID. Eligible individuals can still complete delayed linking by following the prescribed procedure.
How long does it take to reactivate an inoperative PAN?
After completing the required payment and successful Aadhaar intimation, PAN reactivation can take up to 30 days under the applicable rules.
Final Words
Linking Aadhaar with PAN is an important step for eligible Indian taxpayers.
If you’re unsure about your linking status, check it on the Income Tax Department’s official website before making any payment.
If your PAN is not linked, complete the required payment and submit the linking request. Always keep your payment receipt safely.
Avoid unofficial websites promising instant PAN activation, and never share your Aadhaar OTP or banking details with unknown individuals.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Income Tax Department or UIDAI. Linking fees, exemptions and procedures may change. Always verify the latest instructions on official government websites.
