Apply for PAN online.
Indians use the Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card as an
identification document for different purposes. There are many holders of the
PAN card who are neither working nor file tax returns; but have this solely for
the purpose of identification. As the importance of this document has increased
over the years, more and more people are applying for it.
As a result of this, the Income Tax department has sought to
simplify the process of applying for a PAN card. While the PAN card could
earlier be obtained only through middlemen, who were usually Chartered accountants,
today the PAN card can be easily applied for online. This is an easy and user
friendly process, with clear instructions and guidelines given at every stage.
Here are the steps involved in applying for a PAN card when you wish to do it
online -
2.
This is the home page of the Income Tax
PAN Services unit and has different choices such as application for a new PAN,
Enquiry and Tracking status, Reprint of PAN card and changes or correction in
the PAN details. The applicant must choose the option which is applicable to
him.
3.
To apply for a new PAN, Form 49A will
need to be used. Form 49A can be filled online by visiting https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan2/servlet/NewPanApp.
Fill in the details and submit the form online. After the form is submitted
online successfully, an acknowledgement is displayed. This shows a unique 15
digit acknowledgement number. This acknowledgement must be saved and printed
for further process.
4.
The acknowledgement form must be sent
to the Income Tax department. Before sending this, you will need to attach a
few documents along with the acknowledgment form. This includes a proof of
address and a proof of identity. Your name which is mentioned in these
documents should be in the same format as that in the PAN application form.
Take care of this at the time of filling in Form 49A.
5.
You must also affix two recent colour
photographs on the acknowledgment form in the applicable space. Signatures have
to be made where indicated. The photograph you affix should be clear and
recent, as this is the same photograph which will be used on your PAN card.
6.
Application for PAN necessitates
payment of Rs.96 if the communication address is within India. In this
case, you can make the payment by one of the following methods – cheque, Demand
Draft, internet banking, credit card or debit card. If the communication
address is outside the country, then the amount to be paid is Rs. 962, and this
is only in the form of a demand draft. In the case of payment by internet
banking, by credit card or by debit card, the payment has to be made at the
time of filling in the form, after which a payment acknowledgement will be
given. Take a print of this and attach with the acknowledgement form.
7.
The acknowledgement form must thus be
accompanied by photographs, proof of address, proof of identification and the
payment/payment proof as the case may be. This must be sent to NSDL in Pune
within 15 days of the online application date. The envelope must be subscribed
with the words ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN – Acknowledgement Number’. The applications
are processed at NSDL after receipt of payment – meaning if the payment has
been made by means of a demand draft or cheque, you must wait for realization
of the payment.
The steps above are simple and self explanatory. There are adequate
instructions, guidelines and a list of Do’s and Don’ts in the website which
will guide you in every step of the PAN application process. The application
status can be tracked online after the acknowledgement has been sent. Online
payments made can also be tracked online. NSDL also offers the facility of
tracking by writing to them at their address or by sending an SMS to 57575 by
typing SMS NSDLPAN Acknowledgement No.
The process of changing or correcting the details of your existing
PAN card is similar to the process of applying for a new PAN card. At the home
page of the Income Tax PAN Services Unit, you will need to select “Changes or
Correction in PAN details”. Fill in the PAN Change Request Form online and
follow the steps above. This PAN change request section also has separate
guidelines, instructions and Do’s and Don’ts to help you.
Therefore you no longer have to depend on someone else to get a
PAN card for yourself or anyone you know. Simply follow the above steps and get
it.
