PAN-Aadhaar Linking: How to Link Your PAN with Aadhaar Before the December 31 Deadline

If you hold a PAN (Permanent Account Number) card, this update is essential. The Income Tax Department has reminded taxpayers to link their PAN with their Aadhaar card before December 31, 2025. This deadline is strictly enforced, and failing to complete the process on time may lead to your PAN being declared inoperative from January 1, 2026 — which could disrupt financial transactions, tax filings, and other services.

Below, we explain why linking is important and provide a step-by-step guide to help you complete the process smoothly.

Why PAN-Aadhaar Linking Is Mandatory

The Indian government has made it compulsory for eligible PAN holders to link their PAN with their Aadhaar under the provisions of Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 

According to current rules:

• December 31, 2025 is the final deadline to complete PAN-Aadhaar linkage. 

• From January 1, 2026, any PAN that remains unlinked will become inoperative. 

• An ₹1,000 fee/late charge applies for linking after earlier deadlines in many cases — though PANs issued using an Aadhaar enrolment ID after October 1, 2024 may be linked by December 31, 2025, without this fee. 

An inoperative PAN can cause problems while filing income tax returns, receiving refunds, carrying out high-value financial transactions, or even opening bank accounts. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Link PAN with Aadhaar

1. Visit the Income Tax E-Filing Portal

Go to the official portal at incometax.gov.in. On the homepage, look for the “Quick Links” section and click “Link Aadhaar”. 

You can link your PAN and Aadhaar without logging in.

2. Enter Your Details

In the Link Aadhaar form:

• Type your PAN card number

• Enter your Aadhaar number

• Make sure your name, date of birth, and gender exactly match the details on your Aadhaar

Once done, click Validate. 

3. OTP Verification

If the details match, an OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.
Enter the OTP to verify your identity and proceed. 

4. Pay the Linking Fee (if applicable)

If your PAN is not already linked and you are required to pay the ₹1,000 fee, the portal will prompt you to complete e-Pay Tax payment.
You can pay via Net Banking, UPI, or debit/credit card. 

After payment, return to the Link Aadhaar page, re-validate your details and submit the request. 

5. Confirmation and Processing

After submission, you’ll see a confirmation message on the portal.
The linking status typically updates within 3–5 working days. 

You can also check the link status anytime by selecting “Link Aadhaar Status” on the e-Filing portal and entering your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.

Alternative Ways to Link

If the online process doesn’t work due to data mismatches or other issues:

Via SMS

You may be able to send an SMS in a specific format to designated numbers if supported — but always verify from official sources before doing so. 

Offline Service Centres

Visit a PAN service centre (NSDL Protean or UTIITSL) with your documents if online linking fails.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you do not link PAN with Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, your PAN will become inoperative from January 1, 2026. This means:

• You may not be able to file Income Tax Returns

• PAN-based financial transactions may be blocked

• Tax refunds and financial compliance may face delays or suspension

Quick Tips Before You Start

✔ Ensure your Aadhaar name and details exactly match your PAN.
✔ Use the official portal only for linking or verification.
✔ Keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile number active for OTP verification.

Meeting the December 31, 2025 deadline is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure uninterrupted access to financial and tax services. Start the linking process early to stay compliant and stress-free into 2026.