PAN-Aadhaar linking: Income Tax Department explains how NRIs can activate their 'inoperative' PAN

As the deadline to link PAN and Aadhaar number ended on June 30, many non-resident Indians (NRIs) have been receiving messages of their PAN turning ‘inoperative’. Since many NRIs don't have an Aadhaar number, their PANs have automatically become inoperative.

Responding to a query on Tuesday, July 10, the Income Tax Department clarified that the NRIs who have intimated the department about their NRI status their PANs are active and operating.   

“Persons who have not yet intimated their NRI status to the Department are requested to kindly contact their Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO), online, with supporting documents (copy of PAN card and copy of passport showing period of residence outside India), so that their status can be updated in the PAN database,” tweeted Income Tax Department.

Dear @secureyoursites,
It may be noted that non-linking of PAN with Aadhaar makes a PAN inoperative and not inactive, consequences of which have already been specified vide Press Release in https://t.co/N1IRieLOfr

The NRIs who had intimated their NRI status to the Department are_

— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) July 10, 2023

How NRIs can activate their PAN

NRIs whose PANs have become inoperative are required to present supporting documents (a copy of their PAN card and a copy of their passport showing their period of residence outside India) so that their status can be updated in the PAN database, said I-T department. After the tax department updates the status, NRIs can inform the assessing officer (AO) that PAN-Aadhaar linking will activate PAN again.

The NRIs can get their PAN activated by updating their ‘residence’ status with the Income Tax Department. Those who want to retain their India address the other option is to obtain an Aadhaar number and follow the process to link the PAN with Aadhaar.

Downloading challan after payment

The Income Tax Department said that it has been found that PAN holders have been facing difficulty downloading the challan after payment of the fee for Aadhaar-PAN linking. In such cases, the taxpayers can check the challan payment status in the "e-pay tax" window of the e-filing portal. Only after successfully paying the fees one can proceed to link PAN with Aadhaar, the IT department noted.

"In cases where fee payment and consent for linking have been received but linking has not been done until June 30, 2023, such cases will be duly considered," said the Income Tax department.

Kind Attention PAN holders!

Instances have come to notice where PAN holders have faced difficulty in downloading the challan after payment of fee for Aadhaar-PAN linking.

In this regard, it is to be informed that status of challan payment may be checked in 'e-pay tax' tab of_

— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) June 30, 2023

How can NRIs apply for a new Aadhaar Card?

Step 1: To apply for a new Aadhaar Card, one needs to visit an Aadhaar Kendra in India.

Step 2: At the Aadhaar Kendra, the non-resident Indian is required to submit valid documents for identity and address proof.

Step 3: The officer at the Aadhaar Kendra will take online biometrics, and then the Aadhaar Card will be issued in the next 15 to 20 days.

Step 4: After the issuance of the Aadhaar Card, one can link it with their PAN Card.