PAN-Aadhaar Link: Link, Check Status and Fix an Inoperative PAN (2026)
An unlinked PAN becomes inoperative — no refunds and higher TDS. Here is how to check your link status, pay the fee, link the two and fix the usual mismatch errors.
Official portal: Income Tax e-Filing Portal
Indus Tax is a private CA firm, not affiliated with the Government of India. This guide explains the official process; we never ask for your portal password.
Who must link PAN with Aadhaar
Every individual who holds a PAN and is eligible for Aadhaar must link the two unless exempt; otherwise the PAN becomes inoperative. A separate deadline of 31 December 2025 applied to PANs allotted on the basis of an Aadhaar enrolment ID. The following are exempt:
- Individuals aged 80 or more
- Non-residents under the Income-tax Act
- Individuals who are not citizens of India
- Residents of Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Meghalaya
How to check PAN-Aadhaar link status
No login is needed:
- 1Open incometax.gov.in.
- 2Under Quick Links, click Link Aadhaar Status.
- 3Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click View Link Aadhaar Status.
- 4The portal confirms whether they are linked, or whether a request is pending with UIDAI.
How to link PAN with Aadhaar
Pay the fee first, then submit the link request:
- 1Pay ₹1,000 through e-Pay Tax: choose Income Tax, the assessment year the portal specifies, and minor head 'Other Receipts (500)'.
- 2Wait a few working days for the payment to reflect.
- 3Go to Quick Links > Link Aadhaar, enter PAN and Aadhaar, and click Validate.
- 4Enter your name as on Aadhaar and your mobile number, verify with OTP and submit.
- 5Check progress after a few days with Link Aadhaar Status.
What an inoperative PAN means
Until the PAN is operative again:
- No refund is issued, and no interest is paid on refunds for the inoperative period
- TDS and TCS are deducted at higher rates
- Bank, investment and property transactions that need a valid PAN can get stuck
- The PAN usually becomes operative again within about 30 days of linking
Linking fails? Common fixes
Most failures are data mismatches between the two records:
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name mismatch | Initials, spelling or surname differ between PAN and Aadhaar | Correct PAN through Protean/UTIITSL or Aadhaar through UIDAI, then link |
| Date of birth mismatch | One record is wrong | Correct whichever record is wrong |
| Fee paid but link not enabled | Payment not yet reflected, or wrong minor head | Wait 4–5 working days; if the minor head was wrong, speak to a CA |
| OTP not received | Mobile not linked with Aadhaar | Update the mobile number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra |
Need expert help applying this to your situation?
Our CA team reviews your numbers and gives you a clear answer — usually within hours.
