PAN Card Linking With Aadhaar Mandatory By December 31, 2025; Non-Linking Leads To Deactivation From January 1, 2026

The government of India has mandated that all PAN card holders must link their PAN with their Aadhaar card by December 31, 2025. Failure to comply will result in the PAN card becoming inoperative from January 1, 2026, impacting taxpayers’ ability to file income tax returns and conduct certain financial transactions.

This move is part of the government’s efforts to prevent tax evasion, identity fraud, and streamline the tax administration process. Connecting PAN with Aadhaar creates a uniform and verified identity for taxpayers.

How to Link PAN With Aadhaar Online

Citizens can easily complete the linking process online without any paperwork. The official Income Tax Department portal offers a user-friendly interface where individuals can enter their PAN and Aadhaar numbers to check the current linking status or initiate the linking.

If not linked already, the steps to link Aadhaar with PAN are:

Visit the official PAN-Aadhaar linking webpage on the Income Tax India website.
Enter your PAN number, Aadhaar number, and name as per Aadhaar.
Submit the details by entering the captcha.
Submit the request.
If all details match, the linking will be successful, and confirmation will be displayed.

Linking PAN with Aadhaar is free if done before the deadline. Post-deadline, a penalty fee applies for late linking.

Consequences of Not Linking

PAN card will be marked inactive by the Income Tax Department.
Taxpayers will be unable to file Income Tax Returns (ITR).
PAN will not be valid for financial transactions requiring KYC.
Penalties, including higher tax deduction at source (TDS), may be imposed on transactions.

Special Cases and Exemptions

The linking requirement does not apply to residents of Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir, individuals above 80 years of age, non-residents for tax purposes, and non-Indian citizens.

Check Your PAN-Aadhaar Linking Status

Taxpayers can verify whether their PAN is linked with Aadhaar online through the official portal to avoid any last-minute complications.

The government strongly urges all eligible citizens to link their PAN and Aadhaar well before the deadline to maintain uninterrupted access to tax and financial services.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the PAN-Aadhaar linking requirement, explaining the process, deadlines, and potential consequences to help taxpayers remain compliant.