Linking your PAN card and Aadhaar card is mandatory as per the regulations set by the Income Tax Department of India. Here are the reasons why it is important to link your PAN card and Aadhaar card:
Elimination of Duplicate and Fake Cards: Linking PAN and Aadhaar helps in identifying and eliminating duplicate or fake PAN cards. By linking these two identification documents, the government can ensure that individuals hold only one PAN card, reducing the possibility of tax evasion and fraudulent activities.
Income Tax Filing: Linking PAN and Aadhaar is essential for filing income tax returns. It streamlines the process and ensures accurate reporting of income and tax liabilities. It also helps in verifying the authenticity of the taxpayer and prevents misuse of PAN cards.
Avoiding Penalties: Failure to link PAN and Aadhaar within the specified deadline can result in penalties imposed by the Income Tax Department. By linking them in a timely manner, you can avoid these penalties and comply with the regulatory requirements.
Ease of Transactions: Linking PAN and Aadhaar facilitates easy and seamless financial transactions. It enables smooth processing of various financial activities such as opening bank accounts, applying for loans, making high-value transactions, and claiming income tax refunds.
Targeted Delivery of Government Schemes: Linking PAN and Aadhaar enables the government to effectively target and deliver welfare schemes and subsidies to the eligible beneficiaries. It helps in identifying and eliminating duplicate or ineligible beneficiaries, ensuring that the benefits reach the intended individuals.
Financial Transparency: The linkage of PAN and Aadhaar enhances financial transparency and accountability. It helps in curbing tax evasion, tracking financial transactions, and promoting a more robust and compliant tax system.
PAN-Aadhaar Link Online Status: To comply with tax regulations, individuals who are not exempt from tax are required to link their PAN card with their Aadhaar card. The Income Tax Department of India has made it mandatory for all PAN card holders to complete the PAN-Aadhaar linking process before the specified deadline. Failure to do so will result in a penalty. Previously, the deadline for linking PAN and Aadhaar was set for the end of March, but it has now been extended to June 30, 2023. If you haven't linked your PAN and Aadhaar yet, it is advised to complete the process without any delay.
If you have already linked your PAN and Aadhaar and wish to check the status online, follow these simple steps:
Make sure to follow these steps to check the status of your PAN-Aadhaar link online.
OCI & Aadhar Card:
An Aadhaar card is not mandatory for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. The Aadhaar card is primarily issued to Indian residents, while the OCI card is meant for foreign nationals of Indian origin or Indian citizens residing overseas. The OCI card serves as a lifelong multiple-entry visa to India and provides various benefits to the cardholders. However, it is important to note that Aadhaar card is not a requirement for OCI cardholders and they are not eligible to obtain an Aadhaar card unless they meet the criteria of being a resident of India as defined by the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders who stay in India for more than 180 days in a year are eligible to apply for an Aadhaar card. According to the Aadhaar Act, 2016, individuals who are residents of India for a period of 180 days or more are eligible to obtain an Aadhaar card. Therefore, if OCI cardholders meet the residency requirement, they can apply for and obtain an Aadhaar card.
How to apply for Aadhar Card?
To apply for an Aadhaar card in India, you can follow these steps:
Locate an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre: Find the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in your area. You can visit the official website of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at uidai.gov.in or call the toll-free number 1947 to locate the nearest centre.
Book an Appointment (Optional): Some Aadhaar Enrolment Centres allow you to book an appointment online to save time and avoid waiting. Check if this option is available for your chosen centre and book an appointment if necessary.
Visit the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre: Go to the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre at the appointed date and time (if applicable). Take along the required documents and any other information specified by the UIDAI.
Fill the Aadhaar Enrolment Form: At the centre, you will be provided with an Aadhaar Enrolment Form. Fill in all the required details accurately. You may also need to provide your biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans.
Submit Supporting Documents: Submit the necessary supporting documents as proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of date of birth. Commonly accepted documents include a passport, driver's license, voter ID card, ration card, bank statement, electricity bill, etc. Check with the enrolment centre for the specific list of acceptable documents.
Verify and Cross-Check: Review all the information you have provided in the enrolment form and ensure its accuracy. Make any necessary corrections or updates if required.
Capture Biometric Data: The enrolment centre will capture your biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans. Ensure that the data is captured accurately.
Collect Acknowledgement Slip: Once the enrolment process is complete, you will receive an acknowledgement slip. This slip contains an enrolment number that you can use to check the status of your Aadhaar application in the future.
Wait for Aadhaar Generation: After completing the enrolment process, your application will be verified by the UIDAI. Once verified, your Aadhaar card will be generated and sent to your registered address.
Check Aadhaar Card Status: You can periodically check the status of your Aadhaar application using the enrolment number mentioned on the acknowledgement slip. Visit the official UIDAI website or use the Aadhaar mobile app to track the progress.
Remember to keep the acknowledgement slip safe until you receive your Aadhaar card. The processing time for Aadhaar card generation may vary, so it's advisable to be patient during the process.
