Guide to the PAN Card Details- Documents, Eligibility, Types, Structures and More!

A PAN card is without a doubt the most important document to submit with income tax returns. It is also required to be submitted in order to open a bank account, purchase a car or property, and so on. A PAN card, like an Aadhaar card, serves as proof of identity.

The Indian government has made it simple for applicants to apply for a PAN card online via the official websites of NSDL and UTIITSL. The process to apply for a PAN card through NSDL and UTIITSL is easy and requires one to follow a few easy steps. Other than applying for a PAN card, you can also download it and check its status via the same official portals.

In this blog, we will discuss PAN card details along with the process to apply for a PAN card, documents required, eligibility criteria and more!

What is a PAN card?

PAN is an abbreviation of Permanent Account Number. It is an alphanumeric, 10-digit unique number. It is issued to every taxpayer by the Income Tax Department of India. It is to be noted that each PAN number is different and unique for every individual. Following are the pointers that explain more about PAN cards in detail:

The PAN number maintains a complete record of the user’s financial activities
It is one of the most integral parts of all forms of payments
A PAN card, in its appearance, is a physical plastic card. It carries one’s PAN number along with his/her name, DOB and a photograph
The PAN number remains valid for a lifetime as it remains unaffected by any change in address or job profile
It can be used as proof of identity

What are the Types of PAN Cards?

There are types of PAN cards meant for different purposes, individuals, entities, etc.-

PAN card for Individual taxpayers
PAN card for business units or partnership firms
PAN card for organizations and companies
PAN card for Cooperative Societies and Trusts

What is the eligibility criteria for a PAN Card?

According to Income Tax Act provisions, Indian residents in the following categories are eligible to apply for and hold a PAN card:

Self-employed professionals or business owners with a yearly revenue of Rs. 5 lakh or more
Individuals who pay or are required to pay taxes
Individuals who work in the import and export industries
Registered organizations, trusts, associations

In addition to Indian residents, NRIs (Non-Residents of India), PIOs (Person of Indian Origin), OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India), and foreigners covered by the Income Tax Act of 1961 are eligible to apply for a PAN card. Furthermore, parents/guardians can apply for a PAN card on behalf of their minor children.

What is the PAN Card Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Citizens

Even foreign nationals who want to work in India or establish an Indian subsidiary or company must have a PAN card. To apply for a PAN card, foreign nationals must fill out and submit Form 49AA along with the following documents and a fee to the PAN card concerned authorities:

Foreign Citizens	List of Documents
Proof of Identity	Taxpayer Identification Number, Citizenship Identification Number attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or High Commission or Indian Embassy, Passport/OCI card/PIO card *Applicant can get the TIN and CIN documents attested from the Country’s Consulate where he/she is residing or from the overseas Authorized Official of Indian Scheduled Bank Branch
Proof of Address	Taxpayer Identification Number Citizenship Identification Number attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or High Commission or Indian Embassy Passport/OCI card/PIO card Bank statement (from the Country where he/she resides) Bank statement from the NRE (Non- Resident External) Account opened in India Certificate of Residence Address in India or Residence Permit issued by Police Authorities Certificate of Registration having an Indian Residential Address- issued by Foreigner’s Registration Office Contract/Letter/Visa granted by the Indian company Address Proof issued by the Indian employer *Applicant can get the TIN and CIN documents attested from the Country’s Consulate where he/she is residing or from the overseas Authorized Official of Indian Scheduled Bank Branch

PAN Card Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Entities

A foreign entity can also apply for a PAN card by submitting the listed below documents, PAN card application and a PAN card fee to the concerned authorities:

Copy of India’s Registration Certificate or approval copy obtained from Indian Authorities to open an office in India
Photocopy of the entity’s registration certificate issued by the country in which it is located. The certificate must be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs, a High Commission, or an Indian Embassy. An applicant can get the document attested at the Consulate of the country in which he or she is residing or from an overseas Authorized Official of an Indian Scheduled Bank Branch

What are the Documents required to be submitted for a PAN card

Following are the documents required to be submitted for a PAN card–

	Eligibility Criteria
Individual	Indian citizens should have-Identity Proof, Address Proof, Date of Birth Proof
Partnership Firms	A firm should have Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by Registrar of Firms or Copy of Partnership Deed
Limited Liability Partnership	The LLP should submit- Copy of Certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of LLPs
Trusts	A trust is liable to provide- Trust Deed and Certificate of Registration number issued by Charity Commissioner
Local Authorities	Local Authorities need to submit a Copy of the Agreement
Association of Persons	Registered Associations are required to submit a Registration Certificate
Artificial Judicial Person	Artificial Judicial Person will be asked to submit Registration Certificate or Government Identity and Address Proof
Hindu Undivided Families	HUF’s Head can apply for a PAN card on behalf of the family members by submitting the following- Head’s Proof of Identity Head’s Proof of Address Date of Birth Proof Head’s Fathers Name Address of all the Coparceners Affidavit with all the details has to be created and submitted by the Head of HUF
Minors	Parents, on behalf of the minor, can also apply for a PAN card by submitting the following-Parents of a minor can sign Form 49A on the minor’s behalf Parents Proof Minor’s Date of Birth Proof AADHAR card of the minor should be quoted in the Form 49A
Person with Intellectual Disability	On behalf of a person, his/her representative can apply for a PAN card

What are the Documents Required for Online PAN Card Verification?

Following are the list of documents an organization needs to submit for online PAN Card verification-

Organizational Details

Name of the entity
Personal details of the entity
PAN and TAN of the entity
Contact details of the entity
Category of the entity

Signature Details

Serial number of digital signature certificate
Name of the certifying authority
Class of digital signature certificate

Payment Details

Mode of payment
Payment amount
Number of instrument

Payment Details

Mode of payment
Payment amount
Number of instrument

How to Apply for a PAN Card Online?

NSDL and UTIITSl are two of the portals through which the applicant can apply for a PAN card online. Given below are the steps to apply for a PAN card through NSDL and UTIITSL-

How to Apply for PAN Card through NSDL

Visit the official website of NSDL and click on ‘Application Type’
Choose the type of application- Form 49A is for Indian citizens, Form 49AA is for Foreign citizens
Next, choose the category from the available options
Now, fill in your details carefully
Choose the title (out of Shri, Smt or Kumari) to be reflected on the PAN card
Write your Last name/Surname, First name and Middle name ( if there is any)
Select your DOB/Incorporation/Formation date in the following format – DD/MM/YY
Enter the email address in use
Enter your current mobile number
Tick mark on the guidelines
Enter the CAPTCHA code and submit the PAN application
Next, you will be redirected to the payment page where you need to make a payment of Rs. 93 for your PAN card. In case, you opted for Form 49AA, you will have to pay Rs. 864
Choose the payment method like a credit card, debit card, net banking, cheque or DD
After the successful submission of the PAN card application, you will receive an acknowledgement number page. Take a printout and keep it safe with you for further use
Paste your passport size photograph in the acknowledgement paper, sign it with a black pen and send the acknowledgement receipt to the Income Tax Department. Along with the receipt, send your residential proof, identity proof or other support documents as requested, within 15 days from the date of the online application
After the successful validation of your documents, you will receive your PAN card number to your registered mobile number and email id

How to Apply for a PAN Card through UTIITSL?

Visit the official website of UTIITSL and click on the option ‘For PAN Cards’
Click on ‘Apply PAN Card’
You will be redirected to a new page with various options- PAN card as an Indian Citizen, PAN card as Foreign Citizen, Download e-PAN, etc.
Click on ‘PAN card as an Indian Citizen’ or ‘PAN Card as Foreign Citizen’
Now, click on the option that defines your citizenship and click on ‘Apply for a new PAN Card (Form 49A)’, ‘Regenerate Online PAN application (Form 49A)’, or ‘Download blank PAN Form 49A’
Next, click on ‘Apply for a new PAN Card’
You will be redirected to Form 49A or Form 49AA with two options to fill the form- ‘Physical Mode’ and ‘Digital Mode’
Click on ‘Physical Mode’; for a physical copy of the PAN card, you need to submit the signed application to the nearest UTIITSL office
Now, fill in all the required information such as ‘Status of the Applicant’ and choose your required PAN card mode
Submit the application
On the next screen, make the required payment for your PAN Card through DD, cheque, internet banking, credit card, or debit card
Once done, you will receive the soft copy of an acknowledgement paper
Take a printout of the acknowledgement paper, paste your passport size photograph, and sign it with a black pen
Now, send the acknowledgement receipt to the Income Tax Department along with the copies of the identity proof and residence proof copies within 15 days of submission of the online application
After the documentation process is completed, you will receive your PAN number to your registered mobile number and email id

How to Apply for a PAN Card Offline?

To apply for a PAN card offline, given below are the steps to be followed-

Log in to the official website of NSDL
Click on ‘Apply Online’, download Form 49A or Form 49AA
Fill the form and upload all the supporting documents along with a passport size photograph and pay the PAN card fee
Take a printout of the 15-digit acknowledgement number and sign it
Attach the passport size photograph along with POI (Proof of Identity)/POA (Point of Address)
Now, send all the above documents to the NSDL office, along with the Demand Draft (in case you are paying through it) carefully

How to Track PAN Card Delivery Status through Indian Post?

It is easy to track the PAN card delivery status by following the given instructions-

Visit the official website of Indian Post
Navigate to ‘Track N Trace’
Select ‘Consignment’
Enter the consignment number and enter the given characters
Click on ‘Track Now’ and check your PAN card delivery status

How to Track PAN Card Delivery Status through the UTIITSL Website?

Follow the given steps to track PAN card delivery status through the UTIITSL website-

Visit the official website of UTIITSL
Navigate to ‘For PAN Cards’ and click on ‘Track your PAN card’
Enter your application coupon number or PAN number
Fill in the next block with the available options
Enter the captcha and submit
PAN card status will be presented on the screen

How to Track PAN Card Delivery Status through NSDL?

It is easy to track PAN Card delivery status through the NSDL website by following the given instructions-

Visit the official website of NSDL
Select ‘PAN- New-Change Request’
Enter the acknowledgement number
Now, enter the code and click on submit
You will be shown your PAN Card status

How to do PAN Verification in Few Easy Steps?

An applicant can do PAN verification in the following ways-

PAN verification by date of birth and name
PAN verification by AADHAAR number
PAN verification by PAN number

PAN Verification by Aadhaar Card

Below are the steps an applicant should follow to verify PAN details-

Visit the official Income Tax Department e-filing website (updated as www.incometax.gov.in)
Click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ under the section ‘Our Services’
Enter the details under ‘Link Aadhaar Status’
Check ‘View Link Aadhaar Status’
The details will be shown on the screen

PAN Verification by Date of Birth and Name

Following are the steps to do PAN verification swiftly-

Log in to the official Income Tax Department e-filing website
Select ‘Verify Your PAN’
Enter the details and click on ‘Continue’
You will be redirected to another page to verify PAN details
Follow the given instructions and check your PAN status

PAN Verification by PAN Number

An applicant can follow the given instructions to do PAN verification-

Visit the official Income Tax Department e-filing website
Click on ‘Verify Your PAN Details’
Enter all the details and click on ‘Continue’
Your PAN verification status will be displayed on the screen

FAQs

Who is eligible for online PAN verification?

Organizations, individuals, companies, etc can do online PAN verification.

How can I check my online PAN details?

The user can check PAN card details on the official e-filing website of the Income Tax Department.

Is an e-PAN card a valid document?

Yes, an e-PAN card works similar to a physical PAN Card.

How long does a PAN Card remain valid?

A PAN Card remains valid for a lifetime.

Can a trust apply for a PAN card?

Yes, a trust can apply for a PAN card by submitting the required documents along with the PAN card application form.

What is the last date to link the Aadhaar card to the PAN card?

The last date to link the Aadhaar Card to PAN Card is 30th September 2021.

Which is the form for Indian nationals to submit for a PAN card?

Form 49A is required to be submitted by Indian nationals for a PAN card.

Can I check my PAN card details by PAN number?

Yes, the user can check the PAN card details by submitting the PAN number online on the official website of the Income tax department e-filing website.