Housing Finance

PAN, or a Permanent Account Number, is a unique identification number issued by the Income Tax department of India, to identify every taxpayer in the country. It serves as a mandatory document for the citizens of India for financial transactions, both domestically and internationally, and is also used as identity proof.

On every PAN card, there is a unique ten-digit alphanumeric number, which is valid for a lifetime. Owing to its importance, applying for a PAN card has become much easier for people these days. You can easily file for an online PAN card application or an offline one. Requests for changes or PAN card correction may also be made online.

Important Information Regarding PAN Card

• PAN is used to file for Income Tax Returns (ITR), bank account opening, applying for a credit or debit card, international transactions, buying jewellery, investments, property, insurance payments and to avail other ID proofs.
• A copy of PAN is required in transactions exceeding Rs. 50,000, and in general during the purchase of expensive items such as a car, house, etc.
• PAN card is issued by the Income Tax department of India to stop tax evasion, by bringing transparency over each and every tax-paying entity.
• The PAN once generated will be valid throughout the country, for a lifetime.
• The Income Tax department strictly points out that there can be only one PAN card for one individual.
• The Income Tax department has recently added the instant PAN card function on their e-filing portal.

How to Apply for PAN Card online?

An online application for a PAN card can be made on the NSDL website or UTIITSL website. Both these websites have been authorized by the government of India to issue the PAN, as well as to make changes or correction in a PAN Card online, on behalf of the Income Tax Department.

The online PAN application process is an easy and hassle-free way of obtaining PAN, where the applicant is simply required to fill and submit the online application form along with online payment. Copies of required documents can then be sent to either NSDL or UTIITSL, for verification purposes.

Online PAN Card Application Process

Here is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to apply for a new PAN card online or to request a new one in case you have lost your PAN card.

Step 1: Visit the official NSDL website (https://www.tin-nsdl.com/).

Step 2: On the homepage, click on 'Services' and select the 'PAN' option. A new webpage will open on your screen.

Step 3: From the options given on the webpage, select one:

• Application for New PAN Card

• Application for Reprint of PAN Card

• Change/ Correction in PAN data

Step 4: A new page will appear on the screen, titled Online PAN application.

Step 5: Select the relevant type under Application type and Category fields (individual, company, trust, etc.)

Step 6: Fill in all the required details, like your name, date of birth, email address, mobile number, and then submit the form.

Step 7: On submitting the form, you will get a message indicating your token number and successful registration on the portal. Note that token number for future reference and click on ‘Continue with the PAN Application Form’ button.

Step 8: You will be redirected to the new page where you have to submit your digital e-KYC.

Step 9: Select if you need a physical PAN card or not and provide the last four digits of your Aadhaar number and other personal details as required.

Step 10: The last part of the form is the document submission and declaration. You need to select the mode of submission of your PAN application form.

Step 11: There are 3 modes available:

• Submit digitally through e-KYC & e-sign (Paperless)

• Submit scanned images through e-sign

• Forward application documents physically

Step 12: Select the relevant options for Proof of Identity, Address and Date of Birth, and then click on ‘Proceed to Continue’.

Step 13: Next, you will be redirected to the payment section. Make the payment, either through online modes (net banking/debit/credit card) or through demand draft.

Step 14: A payment receipt will be generated on successful payment. Click on ‘Continue’.

Step 15: Submit the application to get the Acknowledgement slip in PDF format, and check the status of your PAN using the 15 digits acknowledgement number generated.

PAN Correction Online

If you wish to make changes in the existing PAN data, such as in name, date of birth, or any other details or update PAN card online, you can apply for it online through the MSDL website. The procedure is almost the same as you apply for a new PAN, except in the case of New PAN, you need to select ‘Changes or Correction in Existing PAN Data’ in step 5 in the above process, under ‘Application type’.

List of Documents Required

Identity proof – Aadhar card, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, Central or State Government Photo ID, etc.

Address Proof – Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, Latest property tax assessment order, electricity bill, water bill, etc.

Date of Birth Proof – Birth certificate, marriage certificate, Passport, Driving License, Matriculation certificate, etc.

Photographs – Two recent passport-sized photographs

Although you can also make the application for a PAN card offline, the online process is much easier and quicker. Whatever may your requirement is - be it New PAN Card application online, PAN correction online or update PAN card online - all you need to do is visit the NSDL website and fill up the corresponding form.