Here's how you can link your PAN with Aadhaar via SMS

The Income Tax Department has been advertising on its website as well as through newspapers asking taxpayers to link PAN with Aadhaar.

There are three ways to link PAN with Aadhaar which are as follows:
a) Through SMS
b) Through e-filing portal

c) While e-filing income tax return

If you still have not linked your PAN with Aadhaar, then the easiest way to do the same is by sending an SMS.

To link your PAN with Aadhaar via SMS you are required to send an SMS either to 567678 or 56161 in a specified format.

Before sending the SMS, ensure that your valid mobile number is registered in the Aadhaar database as you will receive OTP to complete the procedure.

SMS to be sent
The format to send the SMS is as follows: UIDPAN <SPACE><12-digit Aadhaar number><SPACE><10-digit PAN>

Suppose your 12 digit Aadhaar number is 111122223333 and 10 digit PAN number is AAAPA0000Q.

To link it, SMS will be sent as follows: UIDPAN 111122223333 AAAPA0000Q to either 567678 or 56161.

Charges
According to the notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) dated June 29, 2017, it has been clarified that this service is free of charge. However, SMS charges as levied by the mobile operator of the PAN holder will apply.

How to check
Once you have sent the SMS, you can also check the status of the same. To check whether your PAN is linked with Aadhaar or not, you can visit the income tax's e-filing website: www. Incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

On the home page, under the 'Quick links', click on 'Link Aadhaar' and follow the steps.

Also Read: How to check if PAN is linked with Aadhaar