Know if you are Eligible for a PAN Card- An Ultimate Guide to Follow

byPriyanka JuyalLast Updated: August 17, 2022
Know if you are Eligible for a PAN Card- an Ultimate Guide to Follow

The PAN or Permanent Account Number, issued to the country’s liable taxpayers is one of the most important documents to be submitted for a variety of purposes such as loan or credit card application, filing income tax returns, purchasing jewellery above the prescribed amount, and so on. Non-taxpayers and foreign nationals may also be issued a PAN card under certain conditions.

While a PAN card is an important document to have, it is only given to those who meet the eligibility requirements. Furthermore, even a single missing/expired document can result in a failed PAN card application process. This blog is a comprehensive guide to what is actually required to obtain a PAN card and what eligibility criteria must be met.

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Acquire a PAN card?

For Indian Nationals

Form 49A must be completed and submitted to the appropriate authorities by Indian nationals. However, it should be noted that failure to provide supporting documents can hinder the PAN application process. The documents that an applicant must submit are listed in the table below. It is important to note that the applicant can be a person, a company, a trust, a partnership, etc.

Indian NationalsEligibility Criteria
IndividualIndian citizens should have-Identity Proof, Address Proof,Date of Birth Proof
Partnership FirmsA firm should have-Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by Registrar of Firms or Copy of Partnership Deed
Limited Liability PartnershipThe LLP should submit-Copy of Certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of LLPs
TrustsA trust is liable to provide-Trust Deed and Certificate of Registration number issued by Charity Commissioner
Local AuthoritiesLocal Authorities need to submit a Copy of the Agreement
Association of PersonsRegistered Associations are required to submit a Registration Certificate
Artificial Judicial PersonArtificial Judicial Person will be asked to submit Registration Certificate or Government Identity and Address Proof
Hindu Undivided FamiliesHUF’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
MinorsParents, 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 DisabilityOn behalf of a person, his/her representative can apply for a PAN card

For Foreign Citizens

A PAN card is required for any foreign national who wishes to work in India, establish a company, or establish an Indian subsidiary. To obtain one, foreign nationals must complete Form 49AA and submit the following documents to the relevant authorities, along with the PAN card fee:

Foreign CitizensList of Documents
Proof of IdentityTaxpayer 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 AddressTaxpayer 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

For Foreign Entities

A foreign entity can apply for a PAN card by submitting the following documents along with a PAN card fee to the concerned authorities-

  • 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
  • Copy of India’s Registration Certificate or approval copy obtained from Indian Authorities to open an office in India

FAQs
How long does the PAN card remain valid?
A PAN card remains valid for a lifetime.
Can I apply for a PAN card online?
Yes, you can apply for a PAN card online by visiting the official website of NSDL or UTIITSL and proceed further as per the instructions.
What are the types of PAN card forms?
There are two types of PAN card forms, one is Form 49A which is for Indian nationals and the second is Form 49AA which is for foreigners.
What is the PAN card fee?
A fee of Rs. 93 is required to be paid for the Indian communication address, whereas Rs. 864 needs to be paid for the foreign communication address.

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