PAN–Aadhaar link deadline approaching: How to check if your PAN is linked with UID card

The Income Tax (I-T) Department provides several convenient methods to link your PAN with the Aadhaar card. If you are uncertain whether your PAN is already linked to your Aadhaar, it is important to verify the status to ensure that your PAN stays active and usable. With the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar fast approaching, anyone who has not completed the process risks having their PAN declared “inoperative” from January 1, 2026, which could lead to complications in filing taxes, getting tax refunds and carrying out financial transactions.

How to link PAN with Aadhaar

The Income Tax Department also provides an online method to link PAN with Aadhaar. As per the Protean website, the procedure to link PAN with Aadhaar on the Income Tax portal is as follows-
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal. (https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/)
Step 2: Click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ under ‘Quick Links’ (no login required).

Step 3: Enter your PAN, Aadhaar number, and name exactly as mentioned in Aadhaar; click “Validate”.
Step 4: An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number; enter it.
Step 5: If you're linking post previous deadlines, you'll need to pay a Rs 1,000 penalty via e-Pay Tax; choose Minor Head.
Step 5: Submit the form after the payment.

Also read: PAN Aadhaar Card link deadline: How to link PAN with Aadhaar; step-by-step process and how to check status through SMS, Income Tax e-filing portal

How to check PAN-Aadhaar status link?

Step 1: Visit https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/link-aadhaar-status
Step 2: Enter PAN and Aadhaar numbers
Step 3: Click on ‘View Link Aadhaar’ status

How to check PAN-Aadhaar status with SMS?

Send UID PAN >SPACE > 12 digit Aadhaar > Space > 10 digit PAN to 567678 or 56161
For example: UID PAN 34512349891 CFIED1234J

What does an 'inoperative PAN' actually mean?

An inoperative PAN can result in serious financial consequences for you. If your PAN becomes inoperative, you will face several restrictions. You will not be able to file your Income Tax Returns (ITR), and any pending refunds will be withheld. Furthermore, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) will be applied at a much higher rate. You will also face difficulties in conducting major financial transactions, such as opening a bank account or investing in securities, where quoting your PAN card number is mandatory.

How long does it take for the PAN-Aadhaar link to be successful after you submit the request?

After you submit the linking request (post payment reflection, if applicable), the validation process is usually quick. The Income Tax Department (ITD) would send your details to UIDAI for validation. You can check your PAN-Aadhaar link status again after a day or two to confirm its successful completion.