Reminder: Link your PAN with Aadhaar by Dec 31 or risk losing access to key services

As the mandatory deadline approaches, individuals are urged to link their PAN and Aadhaar to avoid income tax delays, blocked refunds, and inactive PAN status.

With the mandatory deadline fast approaching, the process of linking PAN cards with Aadhaar has once again become crucial for taxpayers across the country. Both documents are essential for identity verification and financial activities, and delays in linking the two can disrupt several important services.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made Aadhaar–PAN linkage compulsory to ensure better transparency in tax administration. Under the updated rules, the final deadline for linking the two documents is December 31, 2025, and authorities have clarified that there may not be any further extensions. From January 1, 2026, a PAN that remains unlinked will be treated as inactive.

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An inactive PAN can lead to multiple issues. Income tax returns cannot be filed or verified, refunds will remain on hold, and pending returns will not be processed. Additionally, TDS and TCS credits will fail to reflect in Form 26AS, though deduction or collection at the applicable rate will still continue. Salary credits, bank-related formalities, and several financial processes may also face delays without an active PAN.

To avoid disruptions, individuals can complete the process online. The Income Tax Department’s official portal provides a ‘Link Aadhaar’ option. Users need to enter their PAN, Aadhaar number, and mobile number to receive an OTP for verification. If a PAN is already inactive, a nominal fee must be paid before linking. The status of the linkage can be checked under the ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ option available in the portal’s Quick Links section.

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As the deadline draws closer, timely completion of this process is essential to ensure uninterrupted access to tax services and financial operations.