PAN–Aadhaar link deadline ends this week: Check linking fee, steps to link and what happens if you miss it

The Income Tax Department has issued a fresh reminder to all Indian citizens who hold a PAN card, urging them to link their PAN with Aadhaar before the deadline of December 31, 2025. This step is highly important as financial regulations have changed and digital verification is being put to widespread use. If you fail the PAN–Aadhaar link, then your PAN has the risk of getting marked as inactive, which could create serious problems, including difficulties in filing income tax returns and carrying out other financial transactions. If you’re unsure if your PAN and Aadhaar cards are linked or are looking for how you can do it quickly, you can check the article below.

Things to know about PAN-Aadhaar link

If your PAN has stopped working, then you can reactivate it within 30 days after completing the PAN-Aadhar link process. However, please keep in mind that PAN holders who got their PAN after October 1, 2024, using an Aadhaar Enrolment ID can link PAN with Aadhaar for free until December 31, 2025. However, the older PAN holders or those who didn’t use an Aadhaar Enrolment ID when applying cannot link for free. They have to pay a Rs 1000 fine if they want to make their PAN operative again.

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How to link your PAN to your Aadhaar card

Here are the easy steps to link your PAN to your Aadhaar card:

1. Launch your web browser and visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
2. Under the Quick Links section on the left, select the Link Aadhaar option.
3. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, then click Validate.
4. On the pop-up window, click Continue to Pay Through e-Pay Tax.
5. Re-enter your PAN details and the mobile number linked to it.
6. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and click Continue.
7. You will be redirected to the e-Pay Tax page. Locate the Income Tax tile and click Proceed.
8. Select the relevant Assessment Year and choose Type of Payment as Other Receipts (500), then click Continue.
9. Review the charges for the Aadhaar to PAN linking fee, which will be pre-filled under the Others section. Once verified, click Continue.
10. A challan will be generated. On the next screen, select your mode of payment.
11. After selecting the payment mode, you will be redirected to the bank’s website to complete the payment.

After successful payment you can use any of the below-mentioned methods to link your Aadhar card with your PAN card.

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Submit an Aadhaar and PAN link request (after login).

1. Go to the e-Filing Portal and log in. On the Dashboard, open the Profile section and click Link Aadhaar to PAN.
   Alternatively, you can also find Link Aadhaar in the Personal Details section.
2. Enter your Aadhaar number and click Validate.

Submit an Aadhaar and PAN link request (without login).

1. Open the e-Filing Portal home page and click Link Aadhaar under Quick Links.
2. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, then click Validate.
3. Fill in the required details and click Link Aadhaar.
4. Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your mobile number and click Validate.

Your request to link Aadhaar with PAN is submitted successfully. You can now check the Aadhaar and PAN link status.

How to check PAN–Aadhaar link status

If you’re unsure that you’ve linked your PAN card with your Aadhar card, you can follow the easy steps below to check your Aadhar PAN card link status:

1. Head to the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
2. Enter your PAN and Aadhar Number in the boxes provided.
3. Press the View Link Aadhaar Status button.

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What happens if my PAN–Aadhaar are not linked?

If your PAN card and Aadhar card are not linked post December 31, 2025, you may face the below-mentioned consequences:

1. You will not be able to file ITR or receive tax refunds if their PAN card is inoperative.
2. Pending ITRs will not be processed, and pending refunds will not be issued.
3. TDS and TCS will be deducted at a higher rate, which means more tax will be cut from income.
4. TDS/TCS details will not appear in Form 26AS, so you will not be able to check or claim the credit.
5. TDS/TCS certificates will not be issued, making it difficult to claim tax credit.
6. You will not be able to submit Form 15G or 15H, so TDS will continue to be deducted even if income is below the taxable limit.
7. Furthermore, as your PAN card is inoperative, you will not be able to make the below-mentioned transactions:
8. Opening a bank account will not be possible.
9. Debit or credit cards will not be issued.
10. Purchase of mutual fund units will not be allowed.
11. Cash deposits above Rs 50,000 in a day in a bank or post office will be rejected.
12. Purchase of bank drafts or pay orders in cash above Rs 50,000 in a day will not be allowed.
13. Time deposits above Rs 50,000, or total deposits exceeding Rs 2,50,000 in a financial year, with banks, NBFCs, Nidhis, etc., will not be accepted.
14. Payments for prepaid payment instruments through bank draft, pay order, or banker’s cheque exceeding Rs 50,000 in a financial year will not be allowed.
15. Sale or purchase of goods or services above Rs 2,00,000 in a single transaction will not be permitted.