The Income Tax Department recently issued a significant clarification on the PAN-Aadhaar linking process through its official Twitter handle, @IncomeTaxIndia. This announcement was made just hours before the expiry of the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar on June 30, 2023. The department addressed concerns raised by PAN holders and provided essential information regarding the process. Analysis of the same is as follows:-
1. Difficulty in Downloading Challan Receipts: The Income Tax Department acknowledged instances where PAN holders encountered difficulties in downloading the challan after making the fee payment for Aadhaar-PAN linking. To alleviate this issue, the department informed PAN holders that they could check the status of challan payment under the ‘e-pay tax’ tab on the portal after logging in. It clarified that there was no need to download the challan receipt for linking PAN with Aadhaar.
2. Automatic Email with Challan Copy: Upon successful payment, the department assured PAN holders that an email would be sent to them automatically. This email would contain an attached copy of the challan, eliminating the need for separate downloads. This streamlined approach aims to simplify the process for PAN holders and ensure a seamless experience.
3. Consideration for Pending Cases: The Income Tax Department acknowledged that some cases might have successfully completed the fee payment and consent for linking PAN with Aadhaar but failed to complete the linking process before the June 30, 2023 deadline. However, the department clarified that such cases would be duly considered. This implies that despite missing the deadline, individuals who have fulfilled the necessary payment and consent requirements can still have their PAN-Aadhaar linking processed.
Extract of the tweet:
“Kind Attention PAN holders
Instances have come to notice where PAN holders have faced difficulty in downloading the challan after payment of fee for Aadhaar-PAN linking.
In this regard, it is to be informed that status of challan payment may be checked in ‘e-pay tax’ tab of portal after login. If a payment is successful, then PAN holder can proceed to link PAN with Aadhaar.
There is no need of downloading of the challan receipt for linking PAN with Aadhaar. Further, as soon as the PAN holder completes the payment successfully, an email with an attached copy of the challan is already being sent to the PAN holder.
In cases where fee payment & consent for linking have been received, but linking has not been done till 30.06.2023, such cases will be duly considered by the Department.”
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