How important is linking Aadhaar to your PAN? Does this really impact an investor’s ability to invest or sell holdings?

As per the recent guidelines issued by the Income Tax Department, it is now mandatory for all customers to link their PAN and Aadhaar. The deadline for the same is 31^st March 2022.

Post 31^st March 2022, customers can link their PAN and Aadhaar by paying a fee as mentioned below:

• Penalty of Rs. 500/- until 30^th June 2022
• Penalty of Rs. 1000/- from 1^st July 2022 to 31^st March 2023

Post March 2023, your PAN card shall be flagged as inoperative, if not linked with Aadhaar.

In case you have not done the same, the process is simple and has been explained in this article. However, please note that inability to link your Aadhaar with PAN may lead to suspension of your ICICIdirect trading account.

How to link my Aadhaar and PAN?

Method 1: Using the Income Tax Department official site

There are multiple ways of linking:

1. E-filing website can be used to do the same. Click here.

2. By sending an SMS to 567678 or 56161

        a.  Type a message in following format:

        UIDPAN

        b.  Send the message to either 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number

        c.  If the information provided is correct, the Aadhaar will be linked to PAN successfully

3. One can manually fill a specified form at a PAN service center

How to check if my PAN – Aadhaar is linked?

Method 2: Sending an SMS

There are multiple ways to check your current PAN –Aadhaar linking status as well

1. Via the Income Tax Department official site. Click here.

2. By SMS

        a. Type a message in the format:

        UIDPAN

        b. Send this message to 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number

        c. You will get the current linking status in reply

Click on the link below to view the detailed steps to follow and link your Aadhar and PAN.

Happy investing with ICICIdirect!

FAQ’s

When is the last date to complete the linking process?

In case you have not linked already, the deadline for linking your PAN and Aadhaar is 31^st March 2022.

Is there any other process to complete the PAN – Aadhaar linking process?

You may also visit https://www.utiitsl.com/ OR https://www.egov-nsdl.co.in/ to link your PAN and Aadhaar. All processes are fairly straightforward and will not take very long.

Is anyone exempted from this PAN-Aadhaar linking guideline?

The following categories of customers are exempted from the mandatory linking:

• NRI’s
• Non Individuals
• Residents of Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir

• Foreign nationals residing in India.
• Senior citizens who are more than 80 years of age at any time during the financial year

What additional documents may be required during the linking process?

No additional documents are required other than your PAN card and Aadhaar number.

I have sent the SMS but not receiving any status update in reply?

There may be some traffic at the backend, due to which replies can get delayed. You may try the alternative number provided, or use the website to complete the linking process in such a case.

What happens to my current investments with ICICIdirect in case I do not link my documents by 31^st March 2022?

In accordance with Income Tax Department guidelines, your ICICIdirect trading account may get blocked until your PAN and Aadhaar are linked. Do ensure linking of the same to continue trading on ICICIdirect.

My name is different in PAN Card and Aadhaar and it is not allowing me to link both. What to do?

In such a case where the name on the Aadhaar Card is different from the name in the PAN Card, you will have to get your name changed in the database of either Aadhaar or PAN for PAN Aadhaar link.

Also Read: How to link Aadhaar Card with Demat Account Online?

Disclaimer:

ICICI Securities Ltd. (I-Sec). Registered office of I-Sec is at ICICI Securities Ltd. - ICICI Venture House, Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400 025, India, Tel No : 022 - 6807 7100. I-Sec is a Member of National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (Member Code :07730), BSE Ltd (Member Code :103) and Member of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (Member Code: 56250) and having SEBI registration no. INZ000183631. Name of the Compliance officer (broking): Mr. Anoop Goyal, Contact number: 022-40701000, E-mail address: complianceofficer@icicisecurities.com. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. The contents herein above shall not be considered as an invitation or persuasion to trade or invest.  I-Sec and affiliates accept no liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any actions taken in reliance thereon. The contents herein above are solely for informational purpose and may not be used or considered as an offer document or solicitation of offer to buy or sell or subscribe for securities or other financial instruments or any other product. Investors should consult their financial advisers whether the product is suitable for them before taking any decision. The contents herein mentioned are solely for informational and educational purpose.