How to Apply for PAN Card Online?

Introduction

A permanent Account Number (PAN) is a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued to every tax-paying entity by the Income Tax Department of India. The PAN is issued in the form of a laminated plastic card known as the PAN Card. It displays the PAN Number with other identification details like the Name, date of birth, father’s or spouse’s name, and a photograph. It also serves as proof of identity since it is valid for a lifetime, unaffected by a change of address. The Income tax department can track all the financial transactions related to the entity via the PAN. 

In the current era, especially post-COVID, almost everything is available at our fingertips. With a few clicks on our smartphones, we can order food and groceries, pay bills, buy clothes, consult doctors, start a business, etc. the list is endless. Many of these activities involve financial transactions, which are a big component of those paying taxes. The income tax department, therefore, needs to be able to monitor these transactions and carry out its day-to-day function. 

Being able to apply for a PAN card and access it online becomes a basic necessity. An online PAN is not just necessary but crucial today, to boost a fast and convenient digital economy. The Income Tax department allows individuals, entities, and organizations to apply and download PAN online in an easy and user-friendly manner. A new PAN can be obtained by applying on the NSDL or UTIITSL websites; both being the Income Tax Department Subsidiaries.
 

Apply for PAN Card through NSDL

Step 1: Go to the official website of NSDL for the new PAN application. The URL is https://www.onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/endUserRegisterContact.html

Step 2: On the page, select the type of Application – New PAN for Indian citizens ( Form 49A) or foreign citizens (Form 49 AA).

Step 3: In the next field, select the category – individual/association/body of individuals, etc.

Step 4: Fill in all the required fields like Name, Date of birth, email address, and mobile number of the PAN form.

Step 5: Submit the form and click on ‘Continue with PAN Application Form’.

Step 6: On the next page, you will be given options to submit the supporting documents. You can choose to submit your digital e-KYC or submit scanned copies, or mail copies physically. 

Step 7: In the next section, enter the area code, AO type, and other details. These can be found in the tab below.

Step 8: If you have selected the e-KYC option, it needs to be verified by an Aadhar OTP sent to your registered mobile number. Select Aadhar as proof of Identity, Address, and Date of Birth and click ‘Proceed’.

Step 9: Make the payment of Rs 100/- using one of the options - a demand draft, net banking, debit card, or credit card.

Step 10: For Aadhar authentication, click on the ‘Authenticate’ option.

Step 11: Click on ‘Continue with e-KYC to get an OTP on the mobile number linked to the Aadhar.

Step 12: Verify the OTP and submit the form.

Step 13: Next, you must verify the e-sign by clicking on ‘Continue with e-sign’. Enter the 12-digit Aadhar number. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number.

Step 14: Verify the OTP. An acknowledgement slip will be provided as a pdf document that opens with your date of birth as a password. The format is DDMMYYYY.
 

Follow these steps to apply for a new PAN Card:

Step 1: On the UTIITSL portal, select PAN Services. A new page will open on which you select ‘PAN CARD for Indian Citizen/NRI’.
(https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/panonline_ipg/forms/pan.html/preForm)

Step 2: Select ‘Apply for a New PAN Card (Form 49A)’

Step 3: You can choose ‘Physical Mode’ or ‘Digital Mode’ depending on what you are comfortable with. If you choose ‘Physical Mode’, you must submit the printed application form duly filled and signed to the nearest UTIITSL office. In “Digital Mode’ your duly filled application form is signed using the Dsc mode or Aadhar-based e-signature and submitted online.

Step 4: Fill in the mandatory information like name, address, etc.

Step 5: Check if all the fields are correctly filled and click on submit.

Step 6: Once verified, make the payment online via net banking, debit card, or credit card.

Step 7: Download and save the payment confirmation receipt. You can take a printout anytime if you have saved a soft copy.

Step 8: Take a printout of the filled form and affix two passport-sized photographs. Sign across the space provided for your signature.

Step 9: Attach the mandatory documents required as proofs, viz – identity, date of birth, and address, along with the filled application form and submit online. You can print out this set of documents and submit them to the nearest UTIITSL office for processing your PAN Card.
 

How to Apply for PAN Card offline?  

One can apply for the PAN Card offline by visiting the nearest NSDL/UTIITSL centre and following the steps below:

Step 1: Download and print form 49A available at
https://www.tin-sdl.com/downloads/pan/download/Form_49A.PDF

Step 2: Fill out the form. Affix two passport-size photographs on the form.

Step 3: Submit fees as a demand draft drawn in favour of ‘NSDL – PAN’ payable at MUMBAI’UTITSL.

Step 4: Attach copies of identity, address, and date of birth proofs with self-attestation.

Step 5: Send the application to the following address:

Income Tax PAN Services Unit,
NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited,
5th floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341, 
Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony,
Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune – 411016

The application can also be submitted to the nearest NSDL centre. If applying using the UTIITSL format, you must submit the documents to the nearest UTIITSL PAN service centre.

List of documents to submit for PAN Card

You have to submit your identity, address, and date of birth proof. The following list of documents can serve as one or more of these proofs.

1. Proof of Identity
2. Voter ID 
3. Aadhar Card
4. Driving license
5. Passport
6. Ration Card
7. Photo ID card
8. Birth certificate
9. Pensioner’s Card, Arm’s license, Central government health scheme card
10. Certificate of Identity signed by the Member of Parliament, Municipal Council, Member of Legislative Assembly, or a gazetted officer. 

Proof of Address

1. Aadhar Card
2. Driver’s license
3. Passport
4. Voter’s ID
5. Post office passbook
6. Domicile Certificate
7. Property tax assessment
8. Allotment letter issued by government
9. Not more than 3 months old - The Electricity bill, Telephone landline bill, Water bill, Gas connection card, Credit card statement, and Bank account statement.

The digitization of PAN has resulted in significant positive results. It allows for individuals, businesses, organizations and other entities to streamline and ease taxation, The ease of starting, expanding, and consolidating business on a day-to-day basis allows for saving time and resources. This in turn fuels growth and indirectly benefits the economy as more entities pay taxes regularly.