Need an e-PAN card? Here’s how you can get one

Date : 16/04/2021
Read: 5 mins

Find out how to get an e-PAN card online by reading this short guide.

Need an e-PAN card Here’s how you can get one

PAN card or Permanent Account Number is a mandatory requirement for all income taxpayers in the country. Simply put, this is a 10-digit alphanumeric identifier that is assigned to an individual or a business entity that has operations in India and is liable to pay tax.

One can even make a PAN card application for reasons other than paying income tax. Records highlight that there are 445 million verified PAN cards issued in India until 31 March 2019. Initially, all PAN cards issued were hard copies. But now, taxpayers have the option to request for an e-PAN card

Related: All About The PAN

What is an e-PAN card?

An e-PAN holds the same value as a physical PAN card. It comes with a QR code that contains the following demographic details:

Permanent Account Number
Name of taxpayer
Father’s name
Date of birth
Gender
Photograph
Signature
QR code

What is an e-PAN generally used for?

It is a unique identification number and is, therefore, an accepted form of identity authentication or verification of an individual or a company. The e-PAN may also be used to conduct financial transactions in India.

Who can apply for an e-PAN?

Existing customers can request for an e-PAN by visiting NSDL’s e-governance website. Since they already have a physical PAN card, it can be assumed that the eligibility criteria have already been met.

That said, e-PAN is being instantly allotted to first-time taxpayers as there has been a tremendous increase in the number of applications. Currently, the Income Tax Department is issuing e-PAN only to individual taxpayers.

There are certain eligibility criteria that first-time taxpayers should meet before they can apply for an e-PAN card. They must:

Be a citizen of India
Be an individual taxpayer
Be a first-time applicant
Possess an Aadhaar card
Have an active mobile number linked to their Aadhaar card

How can to apply PAN card online?

If you already have a physical PAN card, the procedure of applying for an e-PAN is pretty straightforward. Existing cardholders can log on to the NSDL portal to initiate a request for an e-PAN. Follow these steps:

Fill in the details of your unique PAN and Aadhaar number
Enter your date of birth
Ensure that you have linked Aadhaar with PAN
Make sure that your mobile number and email ID are registered
Enter the captcha and click on ‘Submit’

The download facility for your e-PAN can be accessed from the NSDL e-Gov website through OTP-based Aadhaar authentication.

How can one download the e-PAN?

If you are wondering can I get a soft copy of my pan card, the answer is ‘yes’. There are two ways of downloading your e-PAN card from the NSDL website.

1. Using the acknowledgement number:

Enter your acknowledgement number
Generate an OTP
Click on the ‘Validate’ button
Click on ‘Download PDF’

2. Using your personal details:

Enter details required, such as PAN and date of birth
Mention the security code
Click on ‘Submit’
Download your e-PAN

How to link Aadhar to PAN card?

As per Section 139AA of Income-tax Act all tax paying citizens need to link their Aadhar with PAN. Failure to do so will result in a Rs 1000 penalty, and will render the PAN invalid, because of which the PAN holder will not be able to file their taxes anymore.

To link your PAN and Aadhaar number:

Visit IT departments website: incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
Click on the 'Link Aadhaar' section on the left side of the page
Fill in your PAN, Aadhaar details, as well as the Captcha code
Click on 'Link Aadhaar' option

You can also link your PAN and Aadhaar via SMS. Send a text to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number. The format for validating PAN and Aadhaar via text is as follows:

UIDPAN (12-digit Aadhaar number), SPACE (10-digit PAN)

Last words

Depending on the method of download, the facility to apply for an e-PAN may or may not be free of cost. Only those cardholders whose PAN applications have been processed via the NSDL e-Gov and/or e-Filing portal of the IT Department will be able to avail of this service. Note that whether your application is for a new or existing PAN card, you cannot download e-PAN after one month of application as per NSDL guidelines. Read on to know what documents to keep ready while filing your ITR?