Many processes have been introduced to link your Aadhaar number with your PAN (Permanent Account Number). For some services, such as filing income tax returns or availing of loans, it is mandatory to link Aadhaar with PAN.

Checking your PAN Aadhaar link status is simple, as you can keep track of the process online and offline. Read on to learn more about checking the status and more details about the process.

How to Check if your Aadhaar and PAN Card are Linked?

While filing your income tax returns, if your PAN-Aadhaar link is incomplete, the Income Tax Department cannot process your returns. It is important to link them because of two reasons – in case there is a trivial mismatch in the details or if your name is identical in both databases.

To link your Aadhaar with your PAN or to check the PAN Aadhaar link status, you only need to visit the Income Tax Department's e-Filing portal and follow an easy and simple process online.

Visit the official Income Tax Department portal and click on the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ on the homepage.

Next, enter your Aadhaar number and PAN details, and click on “View Link Aadhaar status.”

In case your PAN and Aadhaar are not linked, a pop-up notification will be visible with a hyperlink to proceed with the linking.

Check the PAN-Aadhaar Status via SMS

You can track the linking status of your Aadhaar-PAN through the SMS facility too.

Send an SMS to 567678 or 56161 as shown below:

UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar number> <10-digit PAN number>

Once your Aadhaar is linked with your PAN, you will receive a confirmation message from the Income Tax Department database.

Importance of Linking Aadhaar Card with PAN Card

There are a few benefits of completing the PAN-Aadhaar link process:

Keep your PAN Active: If you have not linked your Aadhaar and PAN, your PAN card will be deactivated, which means you do not have a valid PAN. This can lead to issues with financial transactions as the PAN is an important document.

One Aadhaar, One PAN: Linking ensures that a person has only one PAN card, avoiding duplication and confusion.

Seamless Processes: Linking helps in smooth processing of income tax returns without rejection.

Tax Planning: You get a complete summary of your taxes, helping in better financial planning.

Methods to Link Aadhaar with PAN Card

It is crucial to link your Aadhaar with your PAN so that all financial transactions and services work smoothly.

Online Method

Visit the Income Tax Department portal.

Go to ‘Quick Links’ and click ‘Link Aadhaar’.

Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number.

Fill details like your name and mobile number.

Validate details and click ‘Link Aadhaar’.

Enter captcha or OTP and submit.

SMS Method

Type UIDPAN <Aadhaar> <PAN> and send to 567678 or 56161.

Correcting Aadhaar Card and PAN Card Details

PAN and Aadhaar linking is successful only when details match exactly. If there are errors like spelling mistakes, linking will fail.

You can correct details by visiting Aadhaar enrolment centres or the NSDL PAN portal.

Visit NSDL website → Services → PAN → Correction.

Fill form and submit documents.

Once corrected, you can link PAN with Aadhaar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What details are required? PAN and Aadhaar number.

Last date to link? 31 March 2023.

Why authentication fails? Due to mismatch in name, DOB, or gender.

Is linking mandatory for NRIs? No.

Can I file ITR without linking? No.

Who is exempt? NRIs, senior citizens above 80, and residents of certain states.

Do I need documents? No, unless correcting details.

What happens if not linked? The deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar is December 31, 2025, with a required late fee of ₹1,000. Failing to link by this date will render the PAN inoperative from January 1, 2026, causing issues with tax returns, banking, and higher TDS/TCS deductions. Linkage can be completed on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

How long does it take? 4–5 days after payment.