Mumbai: Last year, June 30 was last date but the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the apex decision making body for direct taxation, again extended the deadline till March 31, 2019. This was fifth extension given for the linking the two documents. ETV Bharat explains to you how to link the both in easiest possible way.
Link on ITR e-filing website
You can link your Aadhaar with your PAN card by logging on to the income tax department website which is used for filing e-returns or for paying online taxes. You must keep your Aadhaar and PAN ready with you for using this option.
1) Visit the home page of https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home online income tax filing portal. To the left hand side on the home page you will find ‘Quick Links’ head. Under this head you can see ‘Link Aadhaar’ after ‘Instant e-PAN’ hyperlink. You will not have to struggle hard for locating the ‘Link Aadhaar’ button as it is ranked at number two and is quite visible.
2) Now click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ head. The move will take you to the next page where you will have to fill in certain details marked with red asterisks, which means feeding these data is compulsory.
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3) Now feed your 10-digit alphanumeric PAN number in the empty box. After that feed the 12-digit Aadhaar number in the relevant box. After that you have to fill in your name as per the Aadhaar card. Be careful while you mention your name. Avoid any spelling mistake. And if you have only year of birth on you card then check or tick mark the small box below it. Then enter the image or number given in the captcha.
4) There is an option of avoiding the captcha image or number for visually challenged tax filers. They can request an OTP in their mobile numbers. But remember that the mobile number must be registered with the UIDAI. Otherwise you will not get any OTP.
5) In the fifth and the last step you will be required to press the ‘Link Aadhaar’ button at the bottom of the page. It will take you to the next page. If you have already signed up for filing e-ITR on the website the page will ask you to link Aadhaar after signing in to your account. But if you are not an e-filer then it will say you have successfully linked Aadhaar. If you have discrepancies in Aadhaar and PAN details like difference in birth date or have spelling mistakes, then the page will point out those errors.
Link through an SMS
The income tax department has also made available this simple facility for linking Aadhaar with PAN, which is compulsory for filing income tax return. What you just need to do is send an SMS or text message from your registered mobile number. You can copy the following format for doing the same: Type UIDPAN then give space and type 12-digit Aadhaar number and then given space again and type 10-digit PAN number. You then need to send this either to 567678 or to 56161 from your registered mobile number.
What is Aadhaar and what is PAN card?
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number which is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is given to each and every Indian after capturing their biometric details like fingerprints and eye retina scans. UID is used to avail the benefits of direct benefit transfer and opening bank account in part of the country.
A Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued by the income tax department of India. It is compulsory for filing of income tax returns. Even foreigners who are paying income tax in India must obtain it.
Background
In September 2018, the Supreme Court of India had set aside a Delhi High Court order that allowed two persons to file their income tax returns (ITR), for 2018-19 fiscal, without linking their Aadhaar with PAN. The SC also through its ruling upheld the Constitutional validity of Aadhaar while discharging a bunch of petitions challenging the biometric based programme of the central government.
On February 6, 2019, the Supreme Court of India reiterated its earlier stand on Aadhaar-PAN linking. It said it is mandatory for filing of ITR. The CBDT has also issued an advisory making the linking of Aadhaar and PAN, compulsory for filing of ITR. So, all taxpayers who file their ITR should remember the last date for linking Aadhaar and PAN is March 31, 2019.
