PAN problem fixer: tell us what you see, get the exact fix

Your PAN is inoperative — link it with Aadhaar

1. Check Link Aadhaar Status on incometax.gov.in (no login). If it says “not linked”, continue.
2. Pay the ₹1,000 fee via e-Pay Tax → Income Tax → Other Receipts (500).
3. After the payment is credited, submit the Link Aadhaar request with OTP.
4. The PAN normally becomes operative within 30 days.

Full guide: PAN inoperative.

Details don’t match between PAN and Aadhaar

1. Compare name, date of birth and gender on both.
2. Small differences (initials, spacing) are often accepted with Aadhaar OTP; big ones are not.
3. Correct whichever is wrong: PAN via Protean or UTIITSL, or Aadhaar at an Aadhaar centre / myAadhaar.
4. If it still fails, use biometric-based authentication at a Protean or UTIITSL PAN centre (carry PAN, Aadhaar and the ₹1,000 challan; a small service charge applies).

Full guide: PAN–Aadhaar name mismatch.

Aadhaar already linked with another PAN

This usually means you have two PANs, or someone else’s PAN was linked with your Aadhaar by mistake.

1. If you have two PANs, surrender the extra one using the PAN change/correction form on Protean or UTIITSL.
2. If the other PAN is not yours, raise a grievance on the e-filing portal and contact your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (find via “Know your AO”).
3. Do not apply for another new PAN.

OTP not received

The OTP goes to the mobile number registered in Aadhaar, not the one in your PAN.

1. Check your Aadhaar mobile on myAadhaar (“Verify email/mobile”).
2. If it is old or inactive, update it at an Aadhaar centre or in the Aadhaar app (if eligible). See update mobile in Aadhaar.
3. Try the link request again after the update is complete.

Paid the fee but can’t link yet

1. The payment takes a few working days to reflect. Wait 4–5 working days.
2. Check the challan: it must be Income Tax → Other Receipts (500) for the correct year. If you paid under a different head, it will not count.
3. Log in to e-filing → e-Pay Tax → Payment History to download the challan.
4. If paid correctly and still not found after a week, raise a grievance on the e-filing portal with the CIN from the challan.

Linked, but still inoperative

1. Allow up to 30 days after linking for the PAN to become operative.
2. Banks, brokers and mutual funds update their records later — ask them to re-verify PAN with the Income Tax Department.
3. If it is over 30 days, raise a grievance on the e-filing portal with your link acknowledgment.

Lost PAN card or need a copy

1. Download a free/low-cost e-PAN (a valid PDF copy): from the Income Tax portal if your PAN was issued through Instant e-PAN, or from Protean / UTIITSL depending on which agency issued it.
2. For a physical card, apply for a reprint on Protean or UTIITSL (small fee). New cards carry a QR code.
3. Never apply for a new PAN — your PAN number never changes.

Full guide: e-PAN download & lost PAN.

Tax deducted at 20%

TDS at 20% usually means your PAN is inoperative or was not given to the deductor.

1. Fix the PAN first (see “inoperative” above).
2. Give your PAN to the bank or payer again after it is operative.
3. Tax already deducted counts as paid — claim it as a refund in your return once your PAN works. Check Form 26AS / AIS.