Use SMS to link PAN with your Aadhaar; here's how

Highlights: 

1. You can now link Aadhaar to your PAN number via SMS  facility 

2. You can also link Aadhaar to PAN number on www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in website

3. Government has made Aadhaar mandatory to apply for new PAN with effect from July 1, 2017
 

In a move to bring transparency and curb black money into India's economy, the Income Tax Department on Wednesday urged taxpayers to link their Aadhaar with their Permanent Account Number(PAN) by issuing advertisements in leading national dailies, PTI reported. 

The Income Tax Department has asked taxpayers to link their Aadhaar number with PAN by using an SMS-based facility, it said.

In the advertisements, the department has described how both the unique identity numbers of an individual can be linked by sending an SMS to either 567678 or 56161.

People can also visit the official e-filing website of the Income Tax Department to link the two identities, in both the cases of having identical names in the two databases or in case where there is a minor mismatch, it further said.

The advertisement said linking the two numbers is the key to "seamlessly avail online, a world of income tax facilities."

"Your key to seamlessly avail online, a world of Income Tax facilities! Link your Aadhaar with your PAN;" Income Tax Department said on Twitter. 

Your key to seamlessly avail online,
a world of Income Tax facilities!
Link your Aadhaar with your PAN; pic.twitter.com/zpOAuZidoN

— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) May 31, 2017

"Aadhaar can also be seeded into PAN database by quoting Aadhaar in PAN application form for new PAN allotment or by quoting Aadhaar in change request form used for reprint of PAN card," the report said citing the advertisement issued by the Income Tax Department.

ALSO READ: Name mismatch not allowing you to link PAN with Aadhaar? Income Tax Department eases rules 

According to the report, the Income Tax Department's latest advertisement comes at a time when the Supreme Court (SC) will soon hear various petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar and also on making the unique identity mandatory for availing benefits of various social welfare schemes provided by the government on June 27.

The Income Tax Department had in May also launched a new e-facility to link a person's Aadhaar with the PAN, a mandatory procedure for filing I-T returns now.

The department's e-filing website has hosted a new link on its homepage to link the two unique identities.

The link requires a person to punch in his PAN number, Aadhaar number and the exact name as given in the Aadhaar card.

"After verification from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the linking will be confirmed. In case of any minor mismatch in Aadhaar name provided, Aadhaar OTP (one time password) will be required," the report said quoting the department as saying in its advisory to taxpayers and individuals.

The OTP will be sent on the registered mobile number in the Aadhaar database.

ALSO READ:Don't want to quote Aadhaar for income tax filing? Govt says you must one of these four

According to the report, the government, under the Finance Act 2017, has made it mandatory for taxpayers to quote Aadhaar or enrollment ID of Aadhaar application form for filing of Income-Tax returns (ITRs).

Also, Aadhaar has been made mandatory to apply for permanent account number (PAN) with effect from July 1, 2017.

While Aadhaar is issued by the UIDAI to a resident of India, PAN is a ten-digit alphanumeric number issued in the form of a laminated card by the I-T department to any person, firm or entity 

If you wish to link Aadhaar to your PAN via SMS facility, you can do so by following steps: 

1. Type UIDPAN <Space> <12 digit Aadhaar number> <Space> <10 digit PAN number> 
2. Once you fill all details in the text message, send the SMS to 567678 or 56161 

Remember, you can use SMS facility to link your Aadhaar to PAN only if your name is identical on your Aadhaar and PAN cards.

In case of identical names or minor mismatch in Aadhaar and PAN card, you can use e-filing portal of Income Tax Department wherein one time password (Aadhaar OTP) will be send to your registered mobile number used while registering for Aadhaar card.

If you wish to link Aadhaar to your PAN via e-filing facility, you can do so by following steps:

1. Go to www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in website

2. Click on Link Aadhaar option located at left hand side of the website

3.  Provide PAN number and Aadhaar number 

4. Type name exactly as mentioned on your Aadhaar card (use exact case of alphabets) 

5. Enter the Captcha Code and submit it 

Besides, you can also link Aadhaar to your PAN number on e-filing portals like www.tin-nsdl.com and www.utiitsl.com. 

ALSO READ:Supreme Court questions Centre on Aadhaar mandatory for PAN move