PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline: December 31 Is Last Date; Here's How To Do It & What Happens If You Don't

PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline: With just four days left before the December 31 deadline, taxpayers who have not yet linked their Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar must do so now. The final deadline for PAN-Aadhaar linking is December 31, 2025, and failure to comply could render your PAN inoperative.

The income tax department, through a notification issued on April 3, 2025, clarified that individuals whose PAN was issued using an Aadhaar number before October 1, 2024, are required to complete the linking process by the end of this year.

Here’s everything you need to know, from why the linking is mandatory to the exact steps to complete it online.

What is PAN-Aadhaar linking?

PAN-Aadhaar linking is the process of connecting an individual’s PAN with

their Aadhaar number. The objective is to authenticate identity, eliminate duplicate PANs, and improve the accuracy of the tax database.

Why is PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory?

Under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, every individual who has been allotted a PAN and is eligible for an Aadhaar number must intimate their Aadhaar details to the Income Tax Department in the prescribed manner.

The department has clearly stated that PANs not linked with Aadhaar by the deadline will become inoperative. An inoperative PAN cannot be used for filing income tax returns, opening bank accounts, carrying out high-value transactions, or claiming refunds.

It is also important to note that new PANs issued through Aadhaar-based applications are automatically linked, so this requirement mainly applies to older PAN holders.

Who can use the PAN-Aadhaar linking service?

The Link Aadhaar facility is available to individual taxpayers, whether or not they are registered on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.

What do you need to link PAN with Aadhaar?

To complete the linking process, keep the following ready:

• A valid PAN
• Aadhaar number
• A mobile number to receive OTP

How to link PAN with Aadhaar online: Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing Portal and click on ‘Link Aadhaar’ under the Quick Links section. Alternatively, log in and access the option through your Profile section.

Step 2: Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.

Step 3: Click Continue to proceed to the payment page via e-Pay Tax.

Step 4: Enter and confirm your PAN, provide a mobile number, and verify using the OTP received.

Step 5: After OTP verification, you will be redirected to the e-Pay Tax page.

Step 6: Click on Proceed.

Step 7: Select the relevant Assessment Year and choose ‘Other Receipts’ as the Type of Payment. Click Continue.

Step 8: The payable amount will be auto-filled under ‘Others’. Click Continue to complete the payment.

Step 9: Log in again to the e-Filing Portal. On the Dashboard, go to the Profile section and click ‘Link Aadhaar to PAN’.

Step 10: Enter your Aadhaar number and click Validate to complete the process.

With December 31, 2025, just around the corner, taxpayers who haven’t yet linked their PAN with Aadhaar should complete the process without delay. Missing the deadline could lead to an inoperative PAN, disrupting tax filings and financial transactions in the new year.