The Ultimate Guide to Fixing Aadhaar-PAN Card Linking Errors

The Income Tax Department has announced the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar would be extended from March 31 to June 30, 2023. Individuals who still have not yet attached their Aadhaar with their PAN are encouraged to do so before the new deadline arrives to prevent them from landing into new problems with their PAN card. 

However, several people have experienced problems with the PAN-Aadhaar connection procedure. One of the most prevalent complaints on Twitter is that their Aadhaar is already connected to the incorrect PAN number, preventing them from finishing the connection procedure.

To link the proper PAN and Aadhaar, it is best to delink the incorrect PAN first and then connect the two identity cards again.

Who is required to link PAN and Aadhaar?

According to Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, every individual who has been assigned a PAN and is eligible to receive an Aadhaar number must connect their Aadhaar with their PAN. This applies to persons who received a PAN on or before July 1, 2017. The linking of Aadhaar and PAN is required before the deadline of June 30, 2023. A fee of Rs 1000 is also required for linking PAN-Aadhaar before June 30.

What if the Income Tax Department’s e-portal informs you that your Aadhaar is already connected to an APN? In India, taxpayers must link their Aadhaar card to their PAN. However, there are times when it is necessary to delink Aadhaar from PAN. Here are some reasons why a person might need to delink their Aadhaar from their PAN.

When should you delink your PAN from Aadhaar?

• Duplicate PAN: The issuing of the same PAN to more than one assessee is one of the most prevalent causes for delinking Aadhaar from PAN. This might occur as a result of faults in the PAN allocation procedure or fraudulent actions. To avoid fines for having numerous PANs, it is critical to delink the Aadhaar from the duplicate PAN in such instances. 
• Multiple PANs: Issuing more than one PAN card to a single taxpayer is another cause for delinking Aadhaar from PAN. This might occur as a result of faults in the PAN allocation procedure or fraudulent actions. To avoid fines for having numerous PANs, it is critical to delink the Aadhaar from the duplicate PAN in such instances.
• Incorrect connecting: Errors in the linking procedure might occur, and one person’s PAN card may be linked to another person’s Aadhaar card. To minimize errors in tax reporting, it is critical to delink the Aadhaar from the PAN in such circumstances.
• Fake PAN: In some situations, a person may have gotten a counterfeit or non-existent PAN card and connected it to their Aadhaar number. To prevent legal problems, it is critical to delink the Aadhaar from the PAN in such circumstances.
• Technical difficulties: There might be technical challenges blocking Aadhaar and PAN linkage on the Income Tax e-filing system. In such circumstances, it is critical to disconnect Aadhaar from PAN and wait for technical difficulties to be fixed.

Documents needed for the PAN-Aadhaar delinking process

• A copy of your PAN card
• Aadhaar card photocopy
• A copy of the complaint letter
• A document containing your mailing address
• Your electronic mail address

How to Disconnect PAN and Aadhaar

In specific instances, the following are step-by-step procedures for de-linking PAN from Aadhaar.

Individuals who received the same PAN number:

• Step 1: Obtain the PAN service provider’s PAN card processing information.
• Step 2: Request the identity of the first and subsequent PAN card allottees.
• Step 3: Submit all required documentation to the Income Tax Department.
• Step 4: Following processing, successive allottees receive a new PAN card.

The assessee has two PAN cards, and their Aadhaar is linked to a deactivated one:

• Step 1: To check the status of your PAN card, use the CBN inquiry on the Income Tax Department’s mobile app.
• Step 2: If both PAN cards are active, check to see if they are already de-duplicated. If so, please contact the Income Tax Assessing Officer.
• Step 3: Submit all required documentation to the Income Tax Department.

The PAN card of one assessee is connected to the Aadhaar card of another

• Step 1: Obtain the PAN card processing information from the PAN service provider.
• Step 2: Download the Audit Log from ITBA (Income Tax Business Application) through RCC (Regional Computer Centre).
• Step 3: Determine the cause of the incorrect linking and whether delinking is required.
• Step 4: Submit all required documentation to the Income Tax Department.