Income Tax Return (ITR) season is here, and everyone is busy thinking about taxes, deductions, and refunds.
But before you file, have you checked your PAN card?
An inactive PAN can block your refund, prevent your ITR from being processed, and even lead to penalties.
Don’t worry—we’ll show you a simple way to check your PAN status in just two minutes from home.
Why an Active PAN Is Crucial
Your PAN card is not just a piece of plastic. It’s a key document for:
Filing Income Tax Returns
Opening bank accounts
Buying or selling property
Making large transactions or investments
If your PAN becomes inactive, you may face:
ITR Filing Issues: Your return won’t be processed.
Higher TDS: Banks and companies can deduct up to 20% TDS.
Blocked Refunds: Government refunds may be withheld.
Penalties: Using an inactive PAN can result in fines up to ₹10,000.
Transaction Interruptions: Difficulty with banks, mutual funds, or property registration.
Common Reasons for PAN Inactivity
Your PAN can become inactive due to:
Not Linking PAN with Aadhaar: This is now mandatory, and most inactive PANs are due to this.
Multiple PANs: Only one PAN per person is allowed. Duplicates are deactivated.
Fake PANs: PANs issued using fake documents are canceled.
Deceased PANs: PANs of deceased individuals are deactivated.
How to Check Your PAN Status
Follow these easy steps:
Visit the Official Income Tax Website:
Go to Income Tax e-filing portal
Select ‘Verify Your PAN’:
Scroll to Quick Links or Instant E-Services and click “Verify Your PAN”.
Enter Your PAN Details:
PAN Number (10 digits)
Full Name (as on PAN card)
Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
Mobile Number (for OTP verification)
Verify Using OTP:
Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your mobile.
Check Your PAN Status:
If it says “PAN is Active”, you’re good to file your ITR.
If it says “PAN Deactivated”, “No record found”, or “PAN-Aadhaar linking pending”, take immediate action.
What to Do If Your PAN Is Inactive
Don’t panic. Here’s what you can do:
Link PAN with Aadhaar: Most inactive PANs are due to this. Visit the Income Tax portal to link them.
Surrender Duplicate PANs: If you have more than one PAN, surrender the extra ones immediately.
By taking these steps, you can ensure your PAN is active and avoid delays or penalties while filing your ITR.
