Your PAN card will become invalid if it is not linked to Aadhaar by December 31: Here’s how to do it
CBDT mandates all PAN-Aadhaar linking under Notification No. 26/2025.
Inactive PAN halts banking, loans, property deals, and tax filings.
Link online via incometax.gov.in using OTP verification.
PAN Card Validity
Your Permanent Account Number (PAN) could soon be deactivated if it isn’t linked to your Aadhaar. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made it mandatory for all PAN holders to complete this linkage, as per Notification No. 26/2025 issued in April. PAN is required for filing income tax returns, opening bank or demat accounts, making large financial transactions, and applying for loans. Failure to link it with Aadhaar before the CBDT deadline will make the PAN inactive, leading to serious financial disruptions.
Here’s all you need to know and how you can do it online.
What happens if your PAN gets deactivated?
A deactivated PAN means you lose access to almost every major financial service. You cannot open a new bank or demat account, invest in the stock market, or start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). Fixed deposits or cash deposits above Rs 50,000 will not be allowed.
Applying for a loan, buying or selling property, or registering a vehicle will also require an active PAN. Without it, these processes will halt. In addition, foreign currency transactions above Rs 50,000 won’t be possible. Government welfare schemes and business registrations will also be inaccessible. Essentially, your financial identity and credit activity will freeze until your PAN is reactivated.
How to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online
- Linking your PAN and Aadhaar is simple and takes just a few minutes.
- Visit the official Income Tax e-filing portal: incometax.gov.in
- Click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ on the homepage.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.
- Click Validate.
- If not linked already, enter your registered mobile number to receive an OTP.
- Submit the OTP to complete the linking process.
- Once linked, you’ll receive an on-screen confirmation message.
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What is CBDT?
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) operates under the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue. It frames India’s direct tax policies and oversees their implementation. The Income Tax Department functions under the CBDT and handles tax collection and enforcement.
