Many Indian citizens are still unaware that linking Aadhaar with PAN has been made mandatory by the government, and the final deadline to complete this process is December 31, 2025. The government has clarified that Aadhaar-PAN linking is essential for all taxpayers, and failure to do so will result in the PAN becoming inactive from January 1, 2026. Once inactive, the PAN cannot be used for essential financial processes such as tax filing or verification. Fortunately, the Aadhaar-PAN linking process can be completed online from home, making it easy and accessible for all citizens without requiring physical visits.
If the linking process is not completed by the deadline, multiple financial services and systems connected to taxation may be disrupted. Individuals may not be able to file or validate their Income Tax Returns (ITR). Any pending tax refunds will be withheld, salary credit may fail, and SIP or investment transactions may decline. Additionally, Form 26AS may not show TDS or TCS credits. Aadhaar-PAN linking is mandatory for anyone issued a PAN card on or before October 1, 2025. If delayed but completed later, the PAN typically becomes active again within 30 days.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has enforced this rule to improve compliance, reduce fraud, and streamline tax-related activities. Those who generated their PAN using Aadhaar enrolment ID must also complete the linking process again. Without this update, financial documentation may remain incomplete, and users may face delays in processing requests. The Income Tax e-filing portal provides a simplified and fully online procedure to check linking status or complete the linking immediately. Completing the process early can prevent server delays and compliance issues closer to the deadline.
Consequences of an Inoperative PAN
An inactive PAN can lead to significant financial and compliance challenges. Individuals will not be able to file or verify Income Tax Returns (ITR), and tax refunds will not be processed—nor will interest be paid on delayed refunds. Higher deductions may apply, with TDS or TCS potentially charged at rates up to 20%. Financial transactions may also be affected, including opening new bank accounts, investments in shares or mutual funds, loan applications, or credit card approvals. Since an inactive PAN is not valid for KYC verification, banks and financial institutions may decline processing accounts, investments, or identity verification.
How to Link PAN and Aadhaar Online
Visit the official Income Tax Department website
Select the option: “Link Aadhaar”
Enter the following details:
PAN Number
Aadhaar Number
Registered Mobile Number
Enter the OTP received on your mobile and verify
If the PAN is inactive, pay the required ₹1,000 linking fee
Check linking status under: Quick Links → Link Aadhaar Status
Important Things to Remember
Ensure your name, birthdate, and mobile number match on both Aadhaar and PAN
Avoid waiting until the last day as website traffic may slow down the process
Save the confirmation screenshot for future reference
If anyone experiences difficulties during the linking process, they may follow the step-by-step guide available on the Income Tax portal or seek help from a certified tax consultant.