PAN Card India

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We Assist  NRIs, OCIs PIOs and Foreign
Companies to get a PAN Number from India.!!

• ATTENTION "NRIs, PIOs and Companies"PAN Number
  is now COMPULSORY.!
• What is a PAN Number? It is a 10 alphanumeric
  number known as Permanent Account Number (PAN),
  issued in the form of a laminated card by the
  Income Tax Department of India.
• Do I pay taxes if I have a PAN? Having an PAN
  doesn't mean that you have to pay taxes. You only
  pay tax if you generate income from/in India.
  But, it is always recommended to file 'ZERO'
  taxes even if you don't have any tax liability.

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PAN CARD for NRIs, PIOs OCIs

• Synopsis
• What is a PAN Number?
• Why NRIs need PAN Card?
• NRI PAN Card FAQs.
• How NRIs can apply for a PAN Card in India
  Online?
• Documents required to get a PAN Card from India.
• Procedure to be adopted by a NRI to acquire PAN?

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Permanent Account Number

• A Permanent Account Number Card or a PAN Card
  is perhaps one of the most important
  card/document that one needs today for various
  financial or economic transactions. But many
  people wonder what is a PAN card.
• Permanent Account Number Card or PAN Card as
  its widely known refers to a ten-digit
  alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a
  laminated card, by the Income Tax (I-T)
  Department in India. It has been made compulsory
  since 2005, to have a PAN number for all those
  who file their income tax returns. As per the I-T
  Department, we have to quote the PAN on return of
  income as also on all correspondence with any
  income tax authority in the country.

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• Moreover, it is now compulsory to quote PAN
  in all documents pertaining to financial
  transactions as notified from time to time by the
  Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Some of
  these financial transactions include sale and
  purchase of immovable property or motor vehicle,
  or paying the hotels and restaurants in cash
  whose amount exceeds a certain limit, or in
  connection with travel to any foreign country. In
  fact we have to also mention PAN for obtaining a
  telephone or cellular telephone connection!
• Likewise, PAN has to be mentioned for making
  a time deposit exceeding Rs.50, 000/- with a Bank
  or Post Office or for depositing cash of Rs.50,
  000/- or more in a Bank.

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• The following points need to be kept in mind
  if you possess or want a PAN
• It is statutory responsibility of a person
  receiving document relating to economic or
  financial transactions notified by the CBDT to
  ensure that PAN has been duly quoted in the
  document.
• Obtaining or possessing more than one PAN is
  against the law.
• It is compulsory to quote PAN on return of income
• All existing assesses or taxpayers or persons who
  are required to furnish a return of income, even
  on behalf of others, must obtain PAN
• Any person, who intends to enter into financial
  transaction where quoting PAN is mandatory, must
  also obtain PAN.
• The Assessing Officer may allot PAN to any person
  either on his own or on a specific request from
  such person.

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The New Superior PAN Card

• Following our Finance Ministers order, the
  I-T Department has taken out a new PAN Card since
  2007. It will carry a coloured photo-image in
  case of individual applicants. It is a superior
  card. It is tamper proof and has built-in
  security features such as a hologram,
  fingerprints of the applicants and UV line. These
  security features will thwart forgery of PAN
  cards as every human has different
  characteristics.
• For providing upgraded PAN services, UTI
  Investor Services Ltd. (UTIISL) has been
  authorised to collect Rs. 60/- per application
  with the new simplified PAN form costing Rs. 5/-.
• The UTIISL, for this purpose, has set up at
  least one counter in each of the 501 cities as
  requested by the Income Tax department. Most of
  these counters for PAN have been set up at I-T
  offices. In big cities like Delhi, Mumbai,
  Chennai, Bangalore etc. however, UTIISL has set
  up more counters. Service counters have also been
  set up at 50 branches of UTI MF to handle PAN
  card customers.
• We do know that people are weary of giving
  out their personal information especially to an
  unknown company, even if it is authorised by the
  Government. The applicants and PAN card holders
  need not worry about giving such details to
  UTIISL as all the information related to your PAN
  card remains with the government and UTIISL
  cannot use it for any other purpose.

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• What happens to existent PAN Card holders?
• We are sure this one question must be
  bothering all the existent PAN Card holders. What
  happens to those people who have the old PAN
  Card. Do they also need to submit their cards and
  get a new one? The answer to this is NO. The
  existing PAN cards would continue to be valid. It
  is OPTIONAL for these PAN cardholders to obtain
  the new plastic cards. However, the Government /
  I-T Department would definitely persuade the old
  card holders to submit their old cards and get
  the new one as it would prevent the crime of
  duplication and forgery.
• I do not have the card though have received
  my PAN.
• A mistake that does not happen often,
  nevertheless anyone who has already received a
  PAN but not the card, can either ask the I-T
  Department to issue the new card or they can opt
  for a smart card by applying for the same.
• I had applied for a PAN Card some time back.
  Will I get the old or the new card?
• The kind of card you would get depends on
  WHEN you applied for it. The applications,
  received by the I-T department till 30 June 2003,
  would be issued the old card. However, if an
  individual wishes, she or he can get the new card
  on payment of Rs.60/-. All applications made and
  received, by the I-T Department, from 1 July 2003
  onwards, will be handled by UTI-ISL and these
  applicants will be given the new PAN cards.

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PAN Card - Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. What is PAN?
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a
  ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form
  of a laminated card, by an Assessing Officer of
  the Income Tax (I-T) Department. A typical PAN
  would be, for e.g., ABCDE1234F.
• 2. Why is it necessary to have PAN?
• It is necessary to have PAN because as per
  the rules of I-T Department, it is mandatory to
  quote PAN on all correspondence with any income
  tax authority. It is good to mention here that
  since 1 January 2005, it has become mandatory to
  quote PAN on challans for any payment due to the
  I-T Department. Also, as stated above, it is now
  compulsory to quote PAN in all documents
  pertaining to financial transactions notified
  from time to time by the Central Board of Direct
  Taxes (CBDT). Some of these financial
  transactions include sale and purchase of
  immovable property or motor vehicle, or paying
  the hotels and restaurants in cash whose amount
  exceeds a certain limit, or in connection with
  travel to any foreign country. In fact PAN has to
  be mentioned for obtaining a telephone or
  cellular telephone connection! Likewise, PAN has
  to be quoted for making a time deposit exceeding
  Rs.50, 000/- with a Bank or Post Office or for
  depositing cash of Rs.50, 000/- or more in a Bank.

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• 3. How does Income Tax Department ensure that
  PAN is quoted on transactions mentioned above?
• It is the responsibility of anyone and
  everyone entering into any kind of financial
  and/or economic transactions as notified by the
  CBDT, to quote PAN in the related documents.
• 4. Is it compulsory to quote PAN on return of
  income?
• Yes, it is compulsory to quote PAN on return
  of income.
• 5. How will these authorities verify PAN?
• The authorities verify PAN from the I-T
  Departments website with the help of the
  facility provided.
• 6. Who must have a PAN?
• According to the I-T Department, it is
  compulsory for the following people to have PAN
• All taxpayers (including those who furnish return
  of income on behalf of others) must obtain PAN.
• Any person, who intends to enter into financial
  transaction such that its document requires
  quoting PAN, must also obtain PAN.
• The Assessing Officer may allot PAN to any person
  either on his own or on a specific request from
  such person.

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• 7. Can a person obtain or use more than one
  PAN?
• There have been cases where a person ahs
  been using two PAN for different financial
  transactions, but it must be kept in mind that
  obtaining or possessing more than one PAN is
  against the law.
• 8. Where to apply for PAN?
• All cities and towns having an I-T office
  have at least one IT PAN Service Centre. Such
  centres are set up and managed by UTIISL by order
  of the I-T Department. It has also authorised the
  National Securities Depository Ltd (NDSL) to
  dispense PAN services from Taxpayer
  Identification Number (TIN) Facilitation Centres.
• NRIs may seek the assistance of private
  brokers who will guide and assist you in getting
  a NRI PAN Card in any part of the world. These
  brokers will help you in filling the PAN
  application form and will also submit the same as
  your representative in India.
• PAN assistance brokers may be sought at
• www.pancardnri.com
• www.pancard.co.uk
• www.pancardonline.com
• You can also apply through these brokers, by
  contacting them about PAN Card assistance for Non
  Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin
  (PIOs) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs)
• http//www.pancardnri.com/apply-for-pan-card-
  online.html

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• 9. How to apply for a PAN? Can an
  application for PAN be made on plain paper?
• No, PAN application cannot be made on any
  paper. It has to be made ONLY on Form 49A. A PAN
  application (Form 49A) can be downloaded from the
  website of Income Tax department or UTIISL or you
  can download it here
• http//www.nripan.com/nri-pan-application.htm
  l
• OR
• http//nriinvestindia.com/nri-apply-pan-card-
  online.html
• One needs to pay Rs.5/- in cash to the I-T
  office when you submit the downloaded form. The
  form is also available at IT PAN Service centers
  and TIN Facilitation centres.
• 10. Can an application for PAN be made in
  Form 49A obtained from anywhere?
• Yes, PAN applications (Form 49A) can be
  obtained from various other sources, apart from
  IT PAN Service Centres. It can be downloaded from
  the website of Income Tax department or UTIISL or
  NSDL. The application can also be made on form
  printed by local printers or a photocopy of
  downloaded or printed form.
• 11. Can an application for PAN be made
  through Internet?
• Yes, application for PAN can be made through
  Internet, as also can requests for changes or
  correction in PAN data or request for new PAN
  card (for an existing PAN) be made through
  Internet. For more details visit
  www.tin-nsdl.com
• 12. How do I get a PAN allotted quickly
  (TATKAL)?
• You can get a TATKAL PAN if the application
  is submitted through Internet and the payment for
  the same has been made through a nominated
  credit card.

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• 13. What documents are to be submitted along
  with the application form?
• The following documents are to be submitted
  with Form 49A
• Individual applicants will have to affix one
  recent stamp size (3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) photograph on
  the form
• Any one document listed in Rule 114 must be
  submitted as proof of identity and address
• Designation and Code of the concerned Assessing
  Officer of the Income Tax Department will have to
  be mentioned in the form.
• 14. Which documents will serve as proof of
  identity in case of individual applicants,
  including minors and Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
  applicants?
• In case of individual applicants, a copy of
  any of the following document has to be
  submitted
• School leaving certificate matriculation
  certificate a degree from a recognized
  educational institution depository account
  credit card bank account water bill ration
  card property tax assessment order passport
  voter identity card driving license certificate
  of identity signed by a MP or an MLA or a
  Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officer.
• In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of
  above documents of any of the parent or guardian
  of such minor shall serve as proof of Identity.
• In case PAN application is made on behalf of
  a HUF, any of above documents of the Karta of the
  HUF will serve as proof of Identity.

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• 15. What is proof of Address for
  Individual applicants, including minors and HUF
  applicants?
• In case of individual applicants, a copy of
  any of the following document has to be submitted
  as proof of address
• Electricity bill telephone bill depository
  account credit card bank account ration card
  employer certificate passport voter identity
  card property tax assessment order driving
  license rent receipt certificate of address
  signed by a MP / MLA / Municipal Councillor /
  Gazetted Officer.
• In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of
  above documents of any of the parents or guardian
  of such minor shall serve as proof of Address.
• In case PAN application is made on behalf of
  a HUF, any of above documents of the Karta of the
  HUF will serve as proof of Address.

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• 16. What documents will serve as proof of
  Identity and Address for other applicants?
• A copy of any of the following documents
  will serve as proof of identity and address for
  other applicants
• Certificate of Registration issued by the
  Registrar of Companies Copy of Certificate of
  Registration issued by the Registrar of Firms
  Copy of Partnership Deed or Copy of Trust deed or
  Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued
  by Charity Commissioner Copy of Agreement or
  Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued
  by Charity Commissioner or Registrar of
  Co-operative Society or any other Competent
  Authority any other document originating from
  any Central or State Government Department
  establishing Identity and Address of such person.
• 17. How to find Assessing Officer code?
• You may find the Assessing Officer code from
  the I-T Office where you submit your return of
  income. Applicants who have never filed return of
  income may find out Assessing Officer code with
  the help of either IT PAN Service Center or TIN
  Facilitation Center or jurisdictional Income Tax
  Office.

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• 18. Is a photograph compulsory for making an
  application for PAN?
• Yes, a photograph is compulsory ONLY in case
  of Individual applicants.
• 19. What is the procedure for applicants who
  cannot sign?
• Applicants who cannot sign can affix their
  Left Hand Thumb impression of the applicant on
  either Form 49A or Request For New PAN Card Or/
  And Changes In PAN Data at the place meant for
  signatures and get attested by a Magistrate or a
  Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, with their
  official seal and stamp.
• 20. Is fathers name compulsory for female
  (including married/divorced/widow) applicants?
• Yes fathers name is compulsory for female
  applicants irrespective of their marital status.
  In fact only fathers name is required to be
  filled in the PAN application (Form 49A).
• 21. Is it compulsory to mention telephone
  numbers on Form 49A?
• No. Mentioning the telephone number is not
  compulsory, but its better to provide one as it
  helps in faster communication.

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• 22. Who can apply on behalf of non-resident,
  minor, lunatic, idiot, and court of wards?
• Section 160 of IT Act, 1961 provides for a
  Representative Assessee who will make an
  application for PAN on behalf of a non-resident,
  a minor, lunatic, idiot, and court of wards and
  such other persons.
• 23. I had applied to the department but I do
  not know my PAN?
• Such people may contact the Aaykar Sampark
  Kendra (ASK) at 0124-2438000 (or 95124-2438000
  from NCR). You may also visit the
  www.incometaxindia.gov.in and go to Know your
  PAN.
• 24. Are there any charges to be paid at IT
  PAN Service Centers or TIN Facilitation
  Centers?
• Yes there are charges to be paid at the
  above-mentioned centres. UTIISL and NSDL have
  been authorized to collect Rs.60 Service Tax as
  applicable, per PAN application and this includes
  cost of a tamper proof PAN card. This amount will
  have to be paid in cash.
• 25. Do you need to apply for a PAN when you
  move or transfer from one city to another?
• No. You do not need to apply for PAN in case
  of change of address. Permanent Account Number
  (PAN), as the name suggests, is a permanent
  number and does not change during lifetime of PAN
  holder. However, change of address is to be
  intimidated to the nearest IT PAN Service Centre
  or TIN Facilitation Centre as the database needs
  to be updated. These requests will have to be
  made in the form Request For New PAN Card Or/And
  Changes In PAN Data. Also, change of address
  might change the Assessing Officer.

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• 26. Will the existing PAN cards issued by the
  Department remain valid in view of the new cards
  being allotted?
• Yes, the existing PAN cards will be valid,
  and persons having the same need not apply for a
  new one. However, the I-T Department might
  persuade such possessors to surrender their old
  card and get the new one, as the latter would
  prevent the crime of duplication and forgery.
• 27. Income Tax Department has issued me a PAN
  card can I obtain a new tamper proof PAN card?
• Yes. Persons already having a PAN Card can
  apply for the new tamper proof card. This
  requires surrendering the old card and filling up
  the Request For New PAN Card Or/ And Changes In
  PAN Data form, in which existing PAN will have
  to be indicated. The form and the card are to be
  handed over to the IT PAN Service Center or TIN
  Facilitation Centre. The payment of Rs.60
  Service Tax as applicable, will also have to be
  made.

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• 28. I had applied for PAN and received PAN
  number but have not received the PAN Card?
• Such people may apply in the form Request
  For New PAN Card Or/ And Changes In PAN Data at
  any of the nearest IT PAN Service Center or TIN
  Facilitation Center quoting your PAN.
• 29. How will the new PAN card be delivered to
  me?
• Your card will be delivered by the UTIISL or
  NSDL, as the case may be, at the address provided
  by you on the form.
• 30. I want to pay taxes today but I do not
  have a PAN?
• It generally takes about 15 days to get a
  new PAN allotted. However, PAN can be obtained
  quicker (TATKAL PAN) in around 5 days if
  application is made through the Internet and the
  processing fee paid through a nominated credit
  card. It is advisable to initiate action for
  obtaining PAN well in time.

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How can a non-resident get a PAN Card from abroad?

• Non-residents (be it Non-Resident Indians,
  Persons of Indian Origin, or Overseas Citizen of
  India) often ask the question Can we get a PAN
  Card sitting here (read outside India) or can it
  be made only by coming to India?
• Well, heres the good news for all of you.
  You can get a PAN Card without coming over! All
  you need to do is get in touch with a private
  broker who will guide and assist you in not only
  filling up the form but will also submit it to
  the respective office as your representative in
  India.
• If you do not know where/how to contact a
  PAN Assistance broker, just click on any of the
  links below
• www.nripan.com
• www.pancardnri.com
• www.pancardonline.com
• You can also contact brokers on
• http//www.pancardnri.com/apply-for-pan-card-
  online.html

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What is the procedure for a non-resident to get
PAN Cards?

• We often get queries regarding the procedure
  for getting a PAN Card made. At the outset, we
  have to know that applications for PAN Card can
  be made only in Form 49A as provided by the
  Income Tax (I-T) Department. But this does not
  imply that one needs to go to the I-T Department
  to get the form. These forms can be downloaded
  from the Internet also. The links for downloading
  Form 49A are provided below
• http//www.nripan.com/nri-pan-application.html
  
• or
• http//nriinvestindia.com/nri-apply-pan-card-o
  nline.html
• While submitting these downloaded forms, you
  will have to pay Rs.5/- in cash to the I-T
  office.
• You can also get Form 49A from UTIISL or
  NSDL. All cities and towns, all over India, are
  now enriched with at least one IT PAN Service
  Centre. Such centres have been set up and are
  managed by UTIISL by order of the I-T Department.
  The I-T Department has also authorised National
  Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) to dispense PAN
  Services from Taxpayer Identification Number
  (TIN) Facilitation Centres.

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Can non-residents apply for a PAN Card online?

• Non-residents (Non-resident Indians, Persons
  of Indian Origin, Overseas Citizen of India) CAN
  apply for a PAN Card online. While its true that
  the application can only be made in Form 49A, one
  need not go to the IT office for the same. You
  can apply for a PAN Card from any part of the
  world. All you need is a computer with an
  Internet connection!
• Form 49A can be downloaded from the I-T
  Departments official website or from any of the
  links provided
• http//www.nripan.com/nri-pan-application.html
  
• or
• http//nriinvestindia.com/nri-apply-pan-card-o
  nline.html
• You can also get a TATKAL PAN if the
  application for the same is made through the
  Internet and the payment for the same is made
  through a nominated credit card.
• For more details visit www.nriinvestindia.co
  m

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What is the procedure to be adopted by a
non-resident to acquire PAN?

• By order of the Income Tax Department,
  anyone and everyone who engages in any form of
  financial transaction must have a Permanent
  Account Number (PAN). Non-residents too require
  PAN if they wish to engage in any financial
  activity. Applications for PAN can be made only
  in Form 49A, but this form is now available
  everywhere including the Internet
  (http//www.nripan.com/nri-pan-application.html
  or http//nriinvestindia.com/nri-apply-pan-card-on
  line.html). While submitting downloaded forms,
  one needs to pay Rs.5/- in cash to the I-T
  Office. This facility implies that non-residents
  can apply for PAN while residing outside India.
  However, if non-residents are in India and want
  to get PAN while their stay here, all they have
  to do is visit any UTIISL or NSDL centre and get
  a form from there. Form 49A is now also available
  with your local printer, and applications can
  also be made in the photocopy of Form 49A.
• While submitting Form 49A, the following
  documents need to be submitted
• Individual applicants will have to affix one
  recent stamp size (3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) photograph on
  the form
• Any one document listed in Rule 114 must be
  submitted as proof of identity and address
• Designation and Code of the concerned Assessing
  Officer of the Income Tax Department will have to
  be mentioned in the form

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What is the easiest way for a NRI to get a PAN?

• The easiest way to get a Indian PAN
  (permanent assessment number) is to apply for the
  same online and make the payment through a
  nominated credit card. You will get a TATKAL
  PAN.
• Another hassle-free way is to contact a PAN
  Assistance Broker who will help you fill up the
  application form and will submit it on your
  behalf as your representative in India. PAN
  Assistance Brokers may be sought at
  www.nripan.com, www.pancardnri.com,
  www.pancardonline.com or at http//www.pancardnri.
  com/apply-for-pan-card-online.html.

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Why NRIs need PAN?

• Do you wish to invest in the third largest
  Asian market? Are you planning to have any kind
  of financial transaction in an economy whose GDP
  is close to 9? If yes, then you need a Permanent
  Account Number (PAN) as per the new rules of both
  the Income Tax (I-T) Department and the
  Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  You may be a Resident Indian, a RNOR, or a
  non-resident (NRI, PIO or OCI), but to have any
  fiscal operation in India, especially if you plan
  to invest in the Indian Share Market, you need to
  get a PAN.
• Nowadays, a typical PAN Card would look like
  a laminated ID card having your personal details
  and your unique ten digit alphanumeric code.
  While it takes a minimum of twenty and a maximum
  of thirty days for the authorities to issue you
  your PAN, you can get a TATKAL PAN by applying
  for the same online and paying for the same
  through a nominated credit card, again online.
  Please note that applications (online or offline)
  can be made ONLY on Form 49A, and irrespective of
  any change in your personal details, your PAN
  remains the same. Remember its a permanent
  number.
• Having more than one PAN is an offence.
  Similarly, not having a PAN and still carrying
  out monetary/business deals is also an offence
  and you are accountable to pay Rs.10000 as fine.
• Our clients often have a doubt Do I need to
  pay tax since I have a PAN? No. Just because you
  have a PAN you need not pay tax, the contrary
  being true. In India, only only those whose
  income is generated from/within Indian Territory
  pay tax. Nonetheless, you can pay tax as it shows
  your credibility to the Government.
• So all you have to do is fill up Form 49A,
  either online or offline (you may get hold of a
  broker in case you decide to go in for the
  latter), pay the fees, and voila! You get your
  PAN and are ready for any financial transaction.
  So go ahead and make money!