Income Tax Return Filing Deadline 2025: The deadline for filing Income Tax returns is approaching, as the last date is 15th September. With this, all the taxpayers are in a hurry to file their ITR. However, many of them might face issues due to inactive PAN cards. A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is required to file income tax returns (ITR) in India, and an inactive PAN can lead to substantial delays and penalties. If you are in a similar situation, here’s what you can do:
Why does PAN become inactive?
If your PAN card is not linked to your Aadhaar card, it becomes inactive or inoperative. The Government of India has made this mandatory to streamline the tax system and eliminate duplicate or fraudulent PANs. If your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar by the stipulated deadline, then it will become inactive.
Filing ITR with inactive PAN: What to do?
When your PAN is inactive, you cannot file an ITR. But in such a case, you can contact the Income Tax Contact Center (0124-2438000 or 95124-2438000 from NCR) or www.incometaxindia.gov.in, or send an email to pan@incometaxindia.gov.in (as per the official website).
Is PAN and Aadhaar linking mandatory?
According to the official website of Income Tax, under section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, every individual who has been allotted a PAN on July 1, 2017, and who is eligible to obtain an Aadhaar number, shall intimate his/her Aadhaar number in the prescribed form and manner.
Who is exempt from PAN Aadhaar linking?
Aadhaar-PAN linkage requirement does not apply to any individual who is:
- Residing in the States of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya;
- a non-resident as per the Income-tax Act, 1961;
- of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year; or
- not a citizen of India.
Linking PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory
Apart from the above-mentioned individuals, everyone needs to link their PAN and Aadhaar. If you are facing any problem, contact the Income Tax Department helpline for assistance. If you want to link your PAN with Aadhaar, follow the given steps:
Income Tax Filing: Steps to Reactivate Your PAN
1. Link PAN with Aadhaar (Online)
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing website – https://www.incometax.gov.in/.
Step 2: Find the option of ‘Quick Links’, available on the left side of the homepage.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ option.
Step 4: Enter the required details – PAN card number, Aadhar number, and name.
Step 5: After giving this information, an OTP will be sent to you.
Step 6: Entering the OTP,
Step 7: Your Aadhaar and PAN will be linked.
2. Check PAN Status
After linking, check your PAN status on the same e-filing website. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number in the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ option.
3. Update PAN details
If there is any difference in your PAN and Aadhaar details (e.g., name or date of birth), update the information on the NSDL or UTIITSL portal. This may require submission of supporting documents and verification may take a few days.
