Your PAN (Permanent Account Number) is one of the most important documents you need in India.
From filing taxes to applying for loans, opening a bank account, or investing, your PAN is linked to nearly every financial activity you do.
But imagine waking up one day to find your PAN card has stopped working.
Sounds stressful, right? To avoid that situation, make sure you complete one crucial task — linking your PAN with your Aadhaar card before the government’s deadline.
Deadline Alert: PAN Cards Will Be Deactivated from January 1, 2026
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made it mandatory to link your PAN with your Aadhaar card by December 31, 2025.
If you miss this deadline, your PAN card will become inactive starting January 1, 2026.
Once deactivated, you’ll face serious issues in financial and official activities.
Without a valid PAN, you won’t be able to:
Open a new bank or demat account
Apply for credit cards or loans
Buy property, vehicles, or invest in mutual funds
In short, failing to link these two documents can put a full stop to your financial transactions.
Why Is Linking PAN and Aadhaar Mandatory?
The government introduced this rule to prevent the misuse of fake PAN cards used for tax evasion.
Linking PAN with Aadhaar ensures that each citizen has only one verified tax identity, making it easier to track and verify financial transactions.
This move also simplifies income tax filing, helping the government maintain a transparent and reliable financial system.
Step-by-Step Guide to Link PAN with Aadhaar
You can complete the process online in just a few minutes.
Here’s how:
Visit the official Income Tax e-Filing Portal
Under the Quick Links section, click “Link Aadhaar.”
Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number.
Click ‘Pay Through e-Pay Tax’ to continue.
Verify your identity using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Under the Income Tax section, click Proceed.
Select the assessment year and type of payment (choose “Other Receipts”).
You’ll see the applicable linking fee — click Continue to proceed.
Choose your payment method (Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI).
Once the payment is complete, you’ll be redirected to the e-filing portal to finish the linking process.
Don’t Wait for the Deadline
With the December 31, 2025 deadline approaching, it’s best to link your PAN and Aadhaar today.
It’s a quick, simple process — and it’ll save you from unnecessary financial trouble later.
Keep your PAN active, your finances secure, and your transactions smooth.
