PAN Aadhaar Link Online 2026
Linking your PAN card with Aadhaar is an important income tax compliance requirement for individuals who are covered by the applicable rules. You can submit the linking request and check its status through the official Income Tax Department e-Filing portal.
Important information
- Use the official Income Tax Department portal.
- A delayed-linking fee of ₹1,000 generally applies where the prescribed fee is payable.
- Paying the fee and submitting the PAN-Aadhaar linking request are separate steps.
- After submitting the request, check the linking status online.
Who Needs to Link PAN with Aadhaar?
Under the applicable income tax provisions, individuals who were allotted PAN on or before 1 July 2017 and are eligible to obtain Aadhaar are generally required to intimate their Aadhaar number in the prescribed manner, unless they fall under an applicable exemption.
Some categories are exempt from mandatory PAN-Aadhaar linking, subject to the applicable rules and notifications. These have included certain non-residents, individuals who are not citizens of India, residents of specified states and individuals aged 80 years or more during the relevant previous year. Confirm whether an exemption applies to your circumstances using official guidance.
For new PAN applicants, Aadhaar-based linking is generally handled during the PAN application process where applicable.
Documents and Details Required
- Valid 10-character PAN number.
- Valid 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Access to a mobile number for OTP verification when requested.
- Correct personal details matching the PAN and Aadhaar records.
- Payment details or challan information, if a fee is applicable.
Before proceeding, verify that the name, date of birth and other required details are consistent across both records. Differences may cause the request to fail.
PAN Aadhaar Link Online: Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the official portal: Open incometax.gov.in.
- Open Link Aadhaar: Select Link Aadhaar under Quick Links. You may be able to use the service without logging in.
- Enter PAN and Aadhaar: Fill in both numbers and select Validate.
- Pay the applicable fee: If the portal indicates that a fee is payable, choose Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax and follow the payment instructions.
- Complete e-Pay Tax: Verify the requested details, complete OTP verification where required, and open the Income Tax payment option.
- Select the correct payment category: Follow the current portal instructions for the applicable tax year, Other Receipts (500), and the fee for delayed PAN-Aadhaar linking, where shown.
- Make the payment: Complete payment using an available authorised payment method and retain the challan or receipt.
- Return to Link Aadhaar: After the payment is reflected and verified, reopen the linking service and enter the required details.
- Submit the request: Select Link Aadhaar and complete OTP verification if requested. Save any confirmation displayed by the portal.
- Check the status: Use the Link Aadhaar Status service to confirm whether the request has succeeded or is still being processed.
Payment verification note
If the portal does not recognise a recently paid challan, do not immediately pay again. The official instructions state that payment details may take around 4–5 working days to be verified. Check the challan and portal status before retrying.
PAN-Aadhaar Link Status Check Online
You can check the status without logging in to the e-Filing portal.
- Open the official Link Aadhaar Status page.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.
- Select View Link Aadhaar Status.
- Read the result shown on the screen.
The result may indicate that the PAN and Aadhaar are linked, that the request is pending, or that no successful linking has been recorded. Follow the instructions shown for your particular result.
What Happens If PAN Is Not Linked with Aadhaar?
Where mandatory linking has not been completed, PAN may become inoperative under the applicable rules. This can affect specified tax-related transactions and processes, including tax refunds and the processing of returns, as well as tax deduction or collection at higher applicable rates in certain situations.
The consequences and any available relief depend on the applicable law and the person concerned. Eligible exempt categories may not be subject to the same consequences. Check your status and official guidance before making financial or tax decisions.
If your PAN is inoperative, complete the prescribed Aadhaar intimation and fee process, if applicable. Reactivation may not be immediate, so check the official status rather than assuming that payment alone has activated the PAN.
Common PAN-Aadhaar Linking Problems and Solutions
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Payment details not found | Check the challan and wait for the payment to be verified before submitting the request again. |
| Name or date of birth mismatch | Check the records and follow the official PAN or Aadhaar correction procedure, as applicable. |
| Aadhaar linked to another PAN | Contact the jurisdictional Assessing Officer or follow the department instructions for resolving the incorrect linkage. |
| Request is pending | Check again later and follow any additional verification instructions displayed on the portal. |
| OTP not received | Check the mobile number entered, network availability and the instructions on the official page. |
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can PAN be linked with Aadhaar online?
Yes. The Income Tax Department provides a Link Aadhaar service on its e-Filing portal. You can generally submit a request without logging in.
2. What is the fee for linking PAN with Aadhaar?
A delayed-linking fee of ₹1,000 generally applies where the prescribed fee is payable. Check the amount shown by the official portal for your case before paying.
3. Is paying the fee enough to link PAN and Aadhaar?
No. After the payment is verified, you must submit the Link Aadhaar request separately and check its status.
4. How long does payment verification take?
The official manual advises allowing around 4–5 working days where payment details have not yet appeared. Check the portal before making another payment.
5. How do I check whether PAN is linked?
Open the official Link Aadhaar Status page, enter PAN and Aadhaar, and select View Link Aadhaar Status.
6. Is PAN-Aadhaar linking compulsory for everyone?
It is generally required for covered individuals under the applicable rules, but specified exemptions exist. Check official guidance to confirm whether your circumstances qualify.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Fee requirements, portal labels, applicable rules and exemptions may change. Confirm the current instructions on the official Income Tax Department website before submitting a request or making a payment.
