1Is linking PAN and Aadhaar mandatory?
Yes — it's mandatory, and an unlinked PAN can become inoperative , disrupting return filing and refunds and causing TDS at higher rates. Linking keeps your PAN fully functional.
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ArticleLinking your PAN with your Aadhaar is mandatory, and an unlinked PAN can become inoperative — which disrupts filing, refunds and high-value transactions. Here's how to link them and why it matters.
Reviewed by CA Harika Chebolu, FCA · Last updated 2026-06-13
Quick answer
Linking PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory — an unlinked PAN becomes inoperative. Here's how to link them and why it matters for your taxes.
The law requires PAN to be linked with Aadhaar. If they aren't linked, your PAN can become inoperative, which means you can't file returns smoothly, refunds can stall, and TDS may be deducted at higher rates on your income. Linking keeps your PAN fully functional.
On the income tax e-filing portal there's a facility to check whether your PAN and Aadhaar are already linked. Check first — if they're linked, you don't need to do anything further.
Where a fee applies for linking, you pay it first through the e-pay tax facility (a prescribed fee, currently Rs 1,000), and then proceed to link. The payment needs to reflect before the linking request goes through, so allow a short gap.
Use the 'Link Aadhaar' option on the income tax portal, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, and submit. Your name and date of birth should match across both documents; a mismatch is the most common reason a request fails.
If linking fails, it's usually a name, date-of-birth or gender mismatch between PAN and Aadhaar. Correct the details in one document to match the other, then try again. Keeping them consistent avoids repeated failures.
Yes — it's mandatory, and an unlinked PAN can become inoperative , disrupting return filing and refunds and causing TDS at higher rates. Linking keeps your PAN fully functional.
Your PAN can become inoperative — you can't file smoothly, refunds may stall, and TDS can be deducted at higher rates on your income until you link them.
Use the 'Link Aadhaar' option on the income tax portal, paying the prescribed fee first where applicable. Your name and date of birth must match across both documents, or the request fails.
PAN gone inoperative or won't link? Write to the firm and we'll sort the mismatch and get it linked.