If you haven’t linked your PAN with Aadhaar yet — or if you’re stuck because of name, date of birth or other mismatches — this is the reminder you shouldn’t ignore. The government has set December 31, 2025 as the final deadline to complete Aadhaar–PAN linking. Miss it, and you could face a ₹1,000 penalty and an inoperative PAN from January 1, 2026.
An inoperative PAN can quickly snowball into bigger problems, affecting everything from income tax returns and refunds to bank transactions and investments.
Who Needs to Link PAN With Aadhaar?
The rule mainly applies to individuals whose PAN was issued using an Aadhaar enrolment ID filed before October 1, 2024. As per a government notification issued in April, such PAN holders must intimate their Aadhaar number to the Income Tax Department by the December 31, 2025 deadline.
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For new PAN applicants, the good news is that Aadhaar linking is done automatically during the application process.
What Happens If You Don’t Link?
Failing to link Aadhaar with PAN will make your PAN inoperative from January 1, 2026. That means:
- You won’t be able to file income tax returns
- Refunds may get stuck
- Banking and high-value financial transactions could be blocked
In short, it’s a hassle you don’t want.
How to Link PAN With Aadhaar
The process is straightforward, and you have three options:
1. Online (Most Convenient)
Head to the Income Tax e-Filing Portal, click on “Link Aadhaar”, verify your details, and complete the OTP-based authentication.
2. Via SMS
Send this message from your registered mobile number:UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN>
to 567678 or 56161.
3. PAN Service Centre
Visit an authorised PAN service centre with valid documents. A ₹1,000 fee may apply if linking is done after the due date.
Step-by-Step: Linking on the e-Filing Portal
- Go to the e-Filing portal home page
- Click Link Aadhaar under Quick Links
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number
- Proceed to e-Pay Tax if payment is required
- Verify using OTP sent to your mobile number
That’s it — the process usually takes just a few minutes.
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Dealing With PAN–Aadhaar Mismatch Issues
Many people get stuck because details don’t match across documents. If that’s your case, here’s what you can do:
- Update Aadhaar details via the UIDAI portal
- Correct PAN details through Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL
- Opt for biometric verification at authorised PAN service centres if the issue persists
Once details are corrected, linking usually goes through smoothly.
How to Check PAN–Aadhaar Linking Status
Want to double-check if your PAN is already linked?
- Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal
- Click on “Link Aadhaar Status”
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number
You’ll see one of these messages:
- Aadhaar already linked with PAN
- Linking request is pending
- Aadhaar not linked with PAN
The Bottom Line
If your PAN isn’t linked to Aadhaar yet, don’t wait until the last moment. Fix mismatches early, complete the linking process, and avoid unnecessary penalties or service disruptions. A few minutes today can save you a lot of stress later.
