How to Apply for PAN Card Online in 2021 ? Step by Step Guide

Application of PAN card or a request for any kind of correction on PAN card can be done by any individual, trusts, corporate companies, organisations, local authorities, minors, senior citizens as well as governments.

Every tax-payer in the country needs to have a PAN card in order to make any financial transactions such as receiving a salary which is under the tax bracket, buying or investing in mutual funds. With your PAN card, all financial transactions are tracked and kept account of by the Income Tax Department.

PAN stands for Permanent Account Number. A PAN number is a ten-digit number in alphabets and numerical, or in ‘alphanumeric’ terms, that is allocated by the income tax department to all the taxpayers, and is unique with each individual. A PAN number helps the authorities keep track of the financial activities of any individual, as PAN is integral to all forms of payments. A PAN number is allotted through a laminated card, which is called a PAN card. A PAN card contains information like PAN number, Name, DOB, and address.

* How to Apply For a PAN Card?

Application of a PAN card can be done online as well as through offline methods. To apply for the card online, you can visit the official website of NSDL and fill in the required details. You can also visit the website of UTIIISL to do so. For offline application, you will be required to download the application form and submit it to the agency of your choice.

* Online Process to Apply For a PAN Card

Here are the steps which need to be followed to apply for the PAN card:

Step-1 In order to apply for a PAN card online, you will have to visit the website of NSDL where you can fill in the information which needs to be submitted.

Step-2 Click on the option ‘Apply Online’ on the top left corner since you are a new applicant.

• In the drop-down, you can select one from the three options which are:
• New PAN – Indian Citizen
• New PAN – Foreign Citizen
• Changes or Correction on Existing PAN/Re-print of PAN card.

Step-3 Once done, you will need to select the ‘Category’. The category list includes options such as individual, company, an associate of individuals, Hindu Undivided Family, Trust, Limited Liability Partnership, local authority, etc.

Step-4 After choosing any one of the following options, you will need to fill in your details.

The information must be provided for these sections:

• Title
• Last name
• First name
• Middle name
• Date of Birth
• Email ID
• Phone number

Step-5 After providing the required information, you will have to re-type a captcha code and then click on ‘Submit’.

Step-6 After submitting, the website provides you with a 15-digit acknowledgement number and the page must be printed.

Process to Apply For a PAN Card Offline

Here are the steps to follow in order to apply for a PAN card through offline methods:

Step-1 You will need to download the Form 49A from the official website of Income Tax Department of India or you can visit any of the Income Tax PAN service centre which is managed by UTIISL.

Step-2 Fill up the form with all the sections in the 8 pages.

Step-3 Once done, you will have to send a demand draft of Rs.107 including tax along with the application form.

• If the PAN application needs to be sent outside India, an additional amount of Rs.887 must be paid.

Step-4 The form must be sent along with a copy of your ID proof and address proof to – INCOME TAX PAN SERVICES UNIT (Managed by NSDL e-Governance, Infrastructure Limited), 5th Floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341, Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony, Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune – 411 016.

* PAN Card Eligibility

As per the clauses in the Income Tax Act, Indian residents under the following categories are eligible for a PAN Card registration:

• People who pay tax or who are liable to pay tax to the IT Department.
• Businessmen or self-employed professionals who earn an annual turnover of ₹ 5 Lakh or above.
• People who carry imports or exports activities.
  Registered Trusts, organisations and associations.

* Types of PAN Card

Types of PAN cards vary based on the taxpayer for whom it is made. Various types of PAN card are listed as follows:

• PAN card for Individual taxpayers
• PAN Card for a Company or organization
• PAN cards for partnership firms or business units
• PAN cards for Trusts and cooperative societies

Proof of Identity, Proof of DOB and Address proof are three types of documents required for PAN application by an Individual Indian Citizen or a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF). For each proof required, the Income Tax Department has suggested a list of documents.

* Documents accepted as Proof of Identity

Copy of:

Voter’s ID card
Passport
Aadhar card
Ration card having Applicant’s photo
Driving License
Photo ID card which are issued by central government, state government or any undertaking of public sector​
A certificate issued by a bank that should be duly attested, containing applicant’s photo and the bank a/c number
Arm’s license
Central government health scheme card
Pensioner card copy with applicant’s photograph
Original of:

A certificate of identity in prescribed format signed by a Member of Legislative Assembly, Member of Parliament, Municipal Councillor or a Gazetted Officer
Bank statement on letter head from the bank branch along with name and stamp of the issuing officer and containing duly attested photograph and bank account number of the applicant