PAN card is required for almost all major financial transactions. In this post, I will quicly explain how to get / apply a PAN card.
You can apply for PAN card by yourself. Income tax department has ensured that getting PAN is a simple procedure. You just need to submit a Form, passport size photo, fees & ID & Address proof. You can submit the form either manually or online.
1. Form : Get the Form 49A . Download the form
2. Where to Submit: Submit the Form at locations near to your area. Check out the office near you where you can submit the form : See UTI Locations OR See NSDL Locations
3. Charges : There is a processing fees of Rs 105 (Rs 971 for NRI card dispatched outside India)
4. Documents: You have to submit the following documents with the application form:
- A] Proof of identity (POI)
- B] Proof of address (POA)
The documents for POI and POA depend on the citizenship and the status of the applicant.
Individual and HUF Applicants who are citizens of India and located within India at the time of application for PAN:
Copy of any one of the following will serve as a proof of identity:
- School Leaving Certificate
- Matriculation Certificate
- Degree of Recognized Educational Institution
- Depository Account Statement
- Valid Credit Card
- Bank Account Statement
- Water Bill
- Ration Card
- Property Tax Assessment Order
- Passport
- Voter’s Identity Card
- Driving License
- Certificate of identity signed by a Member of Parliament or Member of Legislative Assembly or Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officer.
Copy of any one of the following will serve as a proof of address:
- Electricity Bill*
- Telephone Bill*
- Depository Account Statement*
- Credit Card Statement*
- Bank Account Statement*
- Rent Receipt*
- Employer Certificate*
- Ration Card
- Passport
- Voter’s Identity Card
- Property Tax Assessment Order
- Driving License
- Certificate of address signed by a Member of Parliament or Member of Legislative Assembly or Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officer.
Note:
- *For serial numbers 1 to 7, proof of address should not be more than six months old from the date of application.
- Document being submitted should be in the full name of the applicant as mentioned in the PAN application.
- In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of above documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall serve as proof of ID / address.
- In case PAN application is made on behalf of a HUF, any of above documents in respect of Karta of the HUF will serve as proof of ID / address.
5. Submitting the PAN Application online
You can also fill the PAN Application online.
As per my personal experience, NSDL user interface is Good.
AO Code : While filling the form, you will need to fill the Assessing Officer (AO) Code. You can find your relevant AO Code at this link
You can submit the Form 49A online and will get an unique 15-digit acknowledgement number. Print this acknowledgement, affix two recent colour photographs with white background , sign within box, make the payment( DD / online).
The acknowledgement duly signed, affixed with photograph alongwith Demand Draft, if any, and proof of identity & address as specified in the application form is to be sent to NSDL at Pune office. Address is provided in the NSDL Link above.
Your acknowledgement, Demand Draft, if any, and proofs, should reach NSDL within 15 days from the date of online application.
6. Track the PAN Card Application Status
You can track the PAN Card application status at links below by entering acknowledgement number, Name, Date of Birth
1) NSDL – Track PAN Card Application
2) UTISL – Track PAN Card Application
7. On receipt of PAN Card : Verify the details on PAN Card, when you recieve it.
- Check the name spelling
- Check the PAN Number. The fifth character of your PAN must be the first alphabet of your last name (for example, if your last name is Gupta, the fifth character of your PAN must be G).
In my next post, I will explain the process if you lost your PAN card and want to reprint it again.
Read my other post – How to change PAN card address.