Aadhaar-PAN linking December 31 deadline: How to fix mismatched details and avoid penalty

With only 9 days left before the PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline, taxpayers across India must act fast. Any PAN not linked with Aadhaar by January 1, 2026, will become inoperative. If you received your Aadhaar on or before October 1, 2024, you must link it to your PAN by December 31, 2025. Failure to do so will result in an inoperative PAN, blocking your ability to handle essential financial transactions and tax filings.

Why linking PAN with Aadhaar is crucial

• You cannot file income tax returns (ITR).

• Bank account operations and high-value transactions will be restricted.

• Investments in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and insurance may be blocked.

• Applying for personal loans, home loans, or low-interest loans may become difficult.

• Additionally, higher TDS rates could apply if your PAN becomes inactive.

Penalty for missing the deadline

"You must link your Aadhaar with your PAN by 31 December 2025 to keep your PAN card active. If you miss this deadline, your PAN will become inoperative from 1 January 2026, which can block income-tax filing, refunds, bank services, and other financial work. If linking was delayed earlier, you may have to pay a late fee of ₹1,000 before linking on the Income Tax portal. The easiest way now is to link online at the Income Tax e-filing site and check your status," said Abhishek Soni, CEO & Co-founder, Tax2win

What to do if details don’t match

If you cannot link PAN and Aadhaar because of mismatched name, date of birth, or phone number, you must first correct the details:

• Update PAN details via Protean (link) or UTIITSL (link).
• Update Aadhaar details via UIDAI (link) or email UIDAI Helpdesk at authsupport@uidai.net.in.

• If the linking request still fails, you can opt for biometric authentication at authorised PAN Service Provider centres. Carry your PAN, Aadhaar, and Rs 1,000 fee for verification.

Step-by-step online linking process

• Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal and select “Link Aadhaar.”

• Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.

• Verify details using OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

• If linking after the deadline, pay Rs 1,000 via e-Pay Tax, then re-enter details for validation.

Check linking status

You can confirm your linking status on the portal:

• Aadhaar already linked

• Linking request pending

• Aadhaar not linked

With the deadline fast approaching, taxpayers are urged to correct mismatched details and link PAN with Aadhaar immediately to avoid penalties and financial complications.