Name mismatch not allowing you to link PAN with Aadhaar? Income Tax Department eases rules

Even as the legality of linking Aadhaar number to PAN card to file income tax returns is being argues in the Supreme Court, the Income Tax Department has eased rules to link the two in cases of names mismatch. 

Many people were facing various issues while linking Aadhaar with PAN due to mismatch in name. 

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As per the Ministry, in case of any minor mismatch in Aadhaar name provided by taxpayer when compared to the actual data in Aadhaar, One Time Password (Aadhaar OTP) will be sent to the mobile registered with Aadhaar. 

Taxpayers need to ensure that the date of birth and gender in PAN and Aadhaar are exactly same. 

In a rare case where Aadhaar name is completely different from name in PAN, then the linking will fail and taxpayer will be prompted to change the name in either Aadhaar or in PAN database.

There is no need to login or be registered on E-filing website. This facility can be used by anyone to link their Aadhaar with PAN.

"This facility is also available after login on the e-filing website under Profile settings and choose Aadhaar linking. The details as per PAN will be pre-populated. Enter Aadhaar no. and ENTER NAME EXACTLY AS GIVEN IN AADHAAR CARD (avoid spelling mistakes) and submit," Ministry added.

On March 21, the government had made the Aadhaar card mandatory to file for income tax returns and also to apply for a permanent account number (PAN). The card which was till now only an optional document while filing ITR but PAN number was mandatory to file returns. 

The deadline to do this is June 30, 2017. However, the rules also state that the name on PAN card and Aadhaar must match. 

Soon after the announcement, when taxpayers tried linking the both started facing issues due to mismatch in name between Aadhaar and PAN. This happened in case of middle name which is not expanded in one of the documents or use of initials instead of full name in one or the other document.
 
To resolve the same, the Ministry released few simple steps:

1. Taxpayers can go to www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.
2. Click on the link on the left pane-> Link Aadhaar
3. Provide PAN, Aadhaar no. and ENTER NAME EXACTLY AS GIVEN IN AADHAAR CARD (avoid spelling mistakes) and submit. 
4. After verification from UIDAI, the linking will be confirmed.