PAN Card Savings

What is PAN? (FAQs on PAN)

Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by an Assessing Officer of the Income Tax Department.

A typical PAN is AFRPP1595D What is the purpose of having a Permanent Account Number (PAN)? It is mandatory to quote PAN on return of income, all correspondence with any income tax authority and challans for any payments due to Income Tax Department.

It is also compulsory to quote PAN in all documents pertaining to economic or financial transactions notified from time-to-time by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

Some such transactions are sale and purchase of immovable property or motor vehicle or payments to hotels for bills or payments in cash, of amounts exceeding Rs. 25,000/-, in connection with travel to any foreign country.

It is also mandatory to mention PAN for obtaining a telephone or cellular telephone connection.

Likewise, PAN has to be mentioned for making a time deposit exceeding Rs. 50,000/- with a Bank or Post Office or depositing cash of Rs. 50,000/- or more in a Bank. Is it compulsory to quote PAN on return of income?

Yes, it is compulsory to quote PAN on return of income. Who must have a PAN?

  • All existing assesses or taxpayers or persons who are required to furnish a return of income, even on behalf of others, must obtain PAN.
  • Any person, who intends to enter into economic or financial transactions where quoting PAN is mandatory, must also obtain PAN.
  • The Assessing Officer may allot PAN to any person either on his own or on a specific request from such person.

Who are those persons who are not required to obtain or quote Permanent Account Number? The following categories of persons are not required to obtain or quote PAN:

Persons having only agricultural income and do not have any taxable income. Such persons will file a declaration (Form 61) in respect of transactions where quoting of PAN is mandatory;

Non-residents;

Central Government, State Governments and Consular Offices in transactions in which they are the payers.

Where do I apply for a PAN?

In order to improve PAN related services, the Income Tax department has authorized UTI Infrastructure Technology Services Ltd (UTIITSL) to set up and manage IT PAN Service Centers in all cities or towns where there is an Income Tax office. For convenience of PAN applicants in big cities, UTIITSL has set up more than one IT PAN Service Center.

How do I find an IT PAN Service Center?

The location of an IT PAN Service Center in any city may be obtained from the local Income Tax Office, any office of UTI/UTIITSL or from the Income Tax department website ( www.incometaxindia.gov.in).

What services are provided by IT PAN Service Centers?

IT PAN Service Centers supply new PAN application forms (Form 49A), assist the applicant in filling out the form, collect the filled form and issue an acknowledgement slip. After obtaining a PAN from the Income Tax department, UTIITSL will print the PAN card and deliver it to the applicant.

What form is required to apply for a PAN? Can an application for PAN be made on plain paper?

PAN applications can be made only on the newForm 49A which can be obtained from any IT PAN Service Center or you can also download the Form 49A from our website: http://www.utiitsl.com

Can an application for PAN be made using the old Form 49A? No, an application for a PAN can be made only on the new Form 49A revised by the Central Board of Direct Taxes on May 29, 2003. What documents and information must accompany the application for Form 49A?

Individual applicants will have to attach a recent, colour, photograph (Stamp Size: 3.5 cms x 2.5 cms); any document listed in Rule 114 must be supplied as proof of identity and address; and the designation and code of the applicable Assessing Officer of the Income Tax department must be noted on the Form 49A.

Which documents can serve as proof of identity in the case of individual applicants, including minors and HUF applicants?

Any one of the following items: a copy of a school leaving certificate; matriculation certificate; degree of a recognized educational institution; depository account; credit card; bank account; water bill; ration card; property tax assessment order; passport; voter identity card; drivers license; a certificate of identity signed by an MP, an MLA, a Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officer;

In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of above documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall serve as proof of identity;

In case the PAN application is made on behalf of a HUF, any of above documents in respect of Karta of the HUF will serve as proof of identity.

What will be considered as a valid proof of address?

Any one of the following items: a copy of an electricity bill, telephone bill, depository account, credit card, bank account, ration card, employer certificate, passport, voter identity card, property tax assessment order, drivers license, rent receipt, a certificate of address signed by an MP, an MLA, a Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officer;

In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of above documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall serve as proof of address;

In case the PAN application is made on behalf of a HUF, any of above documents in respect of Karta of the HUF will serve as proof of address.

Which documents can serve as proof of identity and address for other applicants? Any one of the following items:

  • Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Companies
  • Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Firms
  • Copy of Partnership Deed
  • Copy of Trust deed
  • Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued by the Charity Commissioner of the Registrar of Co-operative Society.
  • Any other competent authority or any other document originating from any Central or State Government Department establishing identity and address of such person.

How do I to find an Assessing Officer code?

The Assessing Officer code may be obtained from the Income Tax Office where you submit your return of income. Applicants who have never filed a return of income may find an Assessing Officer code with the help of an IT PAN Service Center or jurisdictional Income Tax Office. In either scenario, the PAN application must state an Assessing Officer code, or your application cannot be processed.

Is a photograph compulsory for making an application for PAN? A photograph is compulsory only in the case of individual applicants. What is the procedure for applicants who cannot sign?

In such cases, the left hand thumb impression of the applicant should be affixed on Form 49A at the place meant for signatures and it must be attested by either a Magistrate, a Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, with an official seal and stamp.

Is listing my father’s name compulsory for all female applicants (including married/divorced/widow)?

Yes, all female applicants, irrespective of marital status, must indicate their father’s name on the PAN application.

Is it compulsory to mention a telephone number on Form 49A?

No, indicating your telephone number is not compulsory; however, it may enable faster processing of your application.

Who can apply on behalf of a non-resident, a minor, or an individual deemed mentally debilitated?

Section 160 of IT Act, 1961 provides that a non-resident, a minor, or an individual deemed mentally debilitated may be represented by a Representative Assessor. In such cases, an application for a PAN will be made by the Representative Assessor.

Can Form 49A be completed on a typewriter?

Yes, but the letters should be typed in CAPITAL letters and should be clearly legible. What if I submit an incomplete Form 49A?

Your application will not be processed if it is incomplete. Your local IT PAN Service Center can assist applicants with any queries they may have.

How much does it cost to apply for a PAN card at an IT PAN Service Center?

UTIITSL has been authorized to collect a service charge of Rs. 94/- (for Indian Resident) and Rs. 744/- (for NRI) per PAN application; which includes the cost of the new tamper proof PAN card. This amount must be paid in cash, or by a demand draft, at any IT PAN Service Center. This entitles you to a coupon containing a distinctive number that will have to be affixed to your Form 49A.

Do you need to apply for a new PAN when you move from one city to another?

A Permanent Account Number (PAN), as the name suggests, is a permanent number and does not change; however, you must notify your nearest IT PAN Service Center of an address change to ensure they have your most current information.

Can a person obtain or use more than one PAN?

No, obtaining or possessing more than one PAN is against the law.

Are PAN cards issued prior to July 1, 2003 still valid?

Yes, all PAN cards issued by the Department will remain valid. All persons who have been issued a PAN need not apply again. The Income Tax Department has issued me a PAN card; can I obtain a new tamper proof PAN card?

In order to obtain the new tamper proof PAN card you must submit a new application on form 49A at your local IT PAN Service Center. You need to indicate your existing PAN on the form and surrender your old PAN card. The cost for this is Rs. 94/-.

I have applied for a PAN and received my PAN number but have not received the actual PAN Card?

Apply afresh in Form 49A at any IT PAN Service Center quoting the PAN allotted to you. I have applied for PAN but have not received any communication from the Income Tax Department?

In case you applied prior to notification of new form 49A on 29.5.2003 but have not received the PAN, you will have to apply afresh in new Form 49A at any IT PAN Service Center.

How will my PAN card be delivered to me?

UTIITSL will ensure delivery of your PAN card by mail at the address indicated by you in form 49A.

Who can I contact for inquiries regarding PAN applications submitted after July 1, 2003? All such inquiries should be addressed to:

The Vice President
IT PAN Processing Centre,
UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Ltd
Plot No. 3, Sector - 11
CBD_ Belapur, NAVI Mumbai-400 614
e-mail.- utitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com
Tel No. 022-67931300, Fax No. 022-67931099
Your PAN application number, coupon number and IT PAN Service Center where your application was submitted should be mentioned in all references.

PAN Service

Our Bank is authorized to service the PAN applications by UTI Infrastructure Technology Services Ltd. (UTIITSL). You can get your PAN card by simply filling up the application form and lodging the same at any branch of our bank.

Duly filled up application form along with xerox copy of proof of identity, proof of address and 2 recent photographs (of 3.5 cms x 2.5 cms in size) can be submitted at our branches.

In case of minors, the POA & POI of the parent / guardian (who should also be an IT assessee) who applies on behalf of the minor should be enclosed along with the application. Photograph of the minor must be pasted on the application form.A processing fee of Rs.96 is to be paid at the time of submitting the application form.

If the application is in order, you will receive the PAN card by ‘speed post’ to the mailing address given in the application form within three weeks. Please also refer the FAQs on PAN given below. The status of the PAN card application can be tracked by visiting the following website by furnishing your coupon number. http://www.utitsl.co.in/utitsl/site/pantracker.jsp

PAN card has multifarious uses in our day to day life:

  • It is a major identification document.
  • For investments in primary and secondary markets.
  • For opening Demat accounts and Trading accounts.
  • For Mutual Fund investments.
  • Mandatory for any depositor (including Non-Residents) whose receipts are subject to deduction of tax at source
  • For opening of Savings / Current accounts with the banks
  • At the time of placing the fixed deposits with the banks

For Residents:

Category Documents required
Individual For proof of identity: Copy of school leaving certificate or matriculation certificate or degree of a recognized educational institution or depository account or credit card bank account or water bill or ration card or property tax assessment order or passport or voter identity card or driving license or certificate of identity signed by a Member of Parliament or Member of Legislative assembly or Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officers,as the case may be.

For proof of address: Copy of electricity bill or telephone bill or depository account or credit card or bank account or ration card or employer certificate or passport or voters identity card or property tax assessment order Legislative Assembly or Municipal Councilor or Gazetted Officer, as the case may be. Incase of a person being a minor, any documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall be deemed to be the proof of identity and address.
H.U.F. For proof of identity and address, any document prescribed in the case of individuals in respect of Karta of the HUF
Company Copy of Certificate or Registration issued by Registrar of Companies
Firms Copy of Certificate or Registration issued by Registrar of Companies
AOP(Trusts) Copy of the Trust deed or Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued by Charity Commissioners.
AOP/BOI/Local Authority/ Artificial Juridical Person Copy of Agreement or Copy of Certificate or Registration Number issued by Charity Commissioners or Registrar of Co-operative Society or any other Competent Authority or any other document originating from any Central or State Government Department establishing Identity and Address of such person.