The Indian government introduced PAN as a system to streamline the identification of taxpayers. As such, PAN is essential for carrying out any high-value transaction, opening a bank account, investing in securities, purchasing property, and filing IT returns. Due to the simplified application process involved in PAN generation, acquiring this essential document has become easily accessible to common people. This article offers a guide on how to navigate PAN Card applications.
Understanding the PAN application process in detail
If you haven’t applied for a PAN Card yet and want to understand how to go about the process, here’s a quick PAN Card application guide you can follow:
1. Understand the documents required for PAN application process
The documents you need to submit for a PAN Card application can vary based on your applicant category. Check out the list of essential documents below –
- Individuals: Proof of identity (Aadhaar Card/Passport), date of birth (birth certificate/Aadhaar), and address (electricity bill/bank account statement).
- HUFs: Affidavit from the karta of the HUF specifying the name, father’s name, and address of all coparceners, along with proof of identity and proof of address.
- Company/LLP: Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Companies.
- Partnership firm: Certificate of registration or partnership deed.
- Trust: Copy of the trust deed or certificate of registration number.
- Foreigners: Identity and address proof in the form of OCI/POI card, passport, copy of bank account statement in the home county, or any other relevant document.
2. Choose an appropriate PAN application mode
Depending on your preference, you can apply for a PAN Card online or offline. Online PAN applications are accepted through the Protean (formerly NSDL) website, UTIITSL website, and e-filing (for e-PAN) portal. Offline applications are accepted at PAN centers. Let’s have a quick look at both these process:
Option 1. Online application via UTIITSL website
- Open the UTIITSL website on your web browser and go to PAN Services.
- Click on ‘PAN Card for Indian/NRI’ or ‘PAN Card for Foreign Citizen’.
- Tap on the ‘Apply for PAN’ button next to the relevant form (Form 49A for Indians and Form 49AA for foreigners)
- Specify details like PAN Card mode, submission of documents mode, status of applicant, and then click ‘Submit’.
- Enter details of your name, DOB, address, contact, etc.
- Upload the necessary documents and submit the form.
- Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway. Upon successful payment, a 9-digit coupon number will be generated.
Option 2: Offline application at a PAN service center
- Download Form 49A (Form 49AA for foreigners) from the Protean website and print it. You can also visit the nearest PAN service center/NSDL office/UTIITSL office to collect a physical copy of the form.
- Fill out the form with name, DOB, gender, address, contact details, AO code, and other relevant information.
- Sign the form and attack two passport sized coloured photographs.
- Submit the duly filled form along with relevant identity, address, and DOB documents to the nearest PAN service center.
- Pay the applicable PAN application fee and collect the acknowledgement receipt which can be used to track your application.
3. Track your application
If you have applied online via UTIITSL, you will receive a 9-digit coupon number. You can use this number to track your application on the UTI portal, under the ‘Track PAN’ option. However, if you’ve applied via the Protean website or offline, you will receive a 15-digit acknowledgement number. You can use this number to track applications on the Protean platform, via SMS, or via call. To check the status of your PAN application via SMS, text ‘NSDL’ space ‘your 15-digit acknowledgement number’ to 57575. For the call option, make a call to the TIN call centre by dialing 020-27218080/08069708080. If you’ve misplaced the acknowledgement/coupon number, you can also check PAN card status with your name and DOB on the Protean website.
Things to remember when applying for a PAN Card
Here’s a list of things you should keep in mind when applying for PAN:
- If you fill the PAN Card application form online, but choose to submit documents physically, you will have to send the documents by post to the following address:
Income Tax PAN Services Unit
5th Floor Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341,
Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony,
Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune-411016.
- If you are submitting the form offline, make sure the dully filled form and relevant documents are couriered within 15 days of filling out the form.
- Remember it can take 15-20 days for your physical PAN Card to arrive. If you need a PAN earlier, apply for an Instant e-PAN through the e-filing portal. This facility is available to all who have an Aadhaar-registered number.
- Fill the offline form in block letters and preferably with black ink.
- Even if you don’t earn a taxable income, you will need PAN for various purposes like when making high-value transactions of above Rs. 2 Lakhs at online marketplaces or offline stores, opening FDs, applying for credit/debit card, etc.
Conclusion
Applying for a PAN Card is the first step towards achieving your dreams – whether you wish to start your own business by obtaining a loan from an NBFC or grow your wealth with market-linked investments. The process of PAN application, allowing applicants an option to choose from online and offline modes. All you need to do is select a preferred mode, fill out the application form, submit the relevant documents, and pay the fees. Once that’s done, you will soon receive the digital copy, followed by the physical copy (if you’ve opted for one) of your PAN Card.
