What is an Aadhaar Card, and how do you link it to your PAN?

New Delhi: Aadhaar Card is an identity card issued by the government on behalf of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) that contains a 12-digit individual identification number.

Aadhaar can be obtained by any Indian citizen. The online form can be downloaded from the UIDAI website or picked up at an Aadhaar enrolment centre, and the process is completed by submitting supporting documents and passing a biometric verification step. The verification process also includes demographic confirmation, as Aadhaar serves as proof of residence.

All Indian residents are given Aadhaar numbers for free, including newborns, who are given a “Baal Aadhaar”. Aadhaar is required to redeem a variety of government schemes and benefits such as PDS.

How to link Aadhaar with PAN?

It is mandatory to link Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Aadhaar when filing an income tax return. There are two methods for connecting these.

To link online, go to the income tax website (www.incometax.gov.in) and select the “Link Aadhaar” option from the quick links section on the left side of the screen.

A form will appear on the screen; fill in all of the details, including your Aadhaar number, PAN, and name (without spelling errors as on the Aadhaar card).

Post this, click 'link Aadhaar,' and a captcha verification will be required. If there is no discrepancy, a message will appear on the screen indicating that the linking process has been completed.

The Income Tax Department offers an SMS-based service for linking one's Aadhaar and PAN. It is possible to do so by sending the following SMS from your registered mobile number to either 567678 or 56161.

UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN>

There is no denying that Aadhaar is now a common form of identification, used for everything from filing a tax return to receiving government subsidies and social benefits. Also, if you haven’t already linked your Aadhaar to your PAN card, please do so as soon as possible using either of the two options listed above.