A Complete Guide on e-PAN Card - Application process, Eligibility and Difference

PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric code issued to all taxpayers. It is issued by the Income Tax Department of India to uniquely identify tax payers. PAN card is considered as a very important document required for paying income tax, filing income tax returns, opening of Bank account or demat account, applying for debit or credit card etc.

Recently, in budget 2020, a new facility of ePAN was introduced where citizens can get instant Permanent Account Number through Aadhaar number without submitting any application form. This facility has been introduced in order to ease the PAN allotment process for the citizens of India. E-Pan can be obtained free of cost in just a few minutes in soft copy format. This instant e-Pan is equivalent to the PAN card you get after filling the detailed application form. This enables taxpayers to easily carry on various financial transactions and also helps the Income Tax Department track and trace such transactions and ensure taxes are paid correctly.

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must follow the eligibility criteria given before applying for an instant e PAN card:-

➔ Applicants who already have a PAN card cannot apply for e PAN card services.
➔ ePAN card facility is only available for the residents of India
➔ Applicants must be 18 years of age.
➔ e-Pan card services are not applicable for HUF, Firms, Trusts, and Companies.
➔ The applicant must possess an Aadhar card number that must be linked with an active mobile number.
➔ For availing of this facility, you will have to ensure that you have registered your mobile number in the Unique Identification Authority of India’s (UIDAI) database.

How to Apply for ePAN Card?

If you apply for e PAN card through the Income Tax e-filing portal, you won’t be charged any fee, however if you apply through NSDL or UTIITSL, some fees may be charged. Here are the steps to apply to both the portals.

Through Incometaxindiaefiling Portal

The following steps have to be followed to apply for an e-Pan card:

Step 1: Log on to the official website http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Instant e-Pan’ option.

Step 3: Enter the details in the ePAN Application. In the Aadhar e-KYC, the applicant has to enter the details as registered in the Aadhar card and the Aadhar Number.

Step 4: The applicant has to possess the registered mobile number that is linked with the Aadhar card as once the Aadhar number is entered, an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number.

Step 5: The applicant has to upload the scanned copy of the signature on white paper with a resolution of 200 DPI, with a file type of JPEG of 10 KB with a dimension of 2×4.5 cm.

Step 6: Once all the details are entered correctly, the applicant will receive a 15 acknowledgment number to the registered mobile number.

Checking Status

The following steps have to be followed for checking the status of your ePAN card application -

Step 1: Log on to the official website http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on Check Instant e-Pan Status. On this page, the applicant has to enter the 15-digit acknowledgment number.

Step 3: Once the acknowledgment number is submitted, the applicant can view the status of the e-Pan card.

Through UTIITSL

Step 1- Visit the official site of UTIITSL portal

Step 2- Now click on PAN Card services. In the application form the applicant has to choose option (ii) between these options (i) Both physical PAN Card and e-PAN; (ii) e-PAN only, No physical PAN Card.

Step 3- Fill all the mandated and personal details along with the correct mobile number and email id.

Step 4- Submit the Aadhar proof which is mandatory, check the acknowledgement box and click on submit.

Step 5- Once the details have been submitted, the applicant has to sign on a blank paper in order to verify the signature which is also called an e-sign method. (Resolution of the signature must be 200 DPI, File Type: JPEG– Size: 10 KB, Dimensions: 2 cm x 4.5 cm)

After the submission, the scan copy of your signature, a 15-digit acknowledgement number will be delivered to your registered mobile number or email. Now carefully read the Captcha code and enter it in the given box.

Click on submit to complete the process, an SMS will be delivered to your registered mobile number for successful application of e-PAN Card.

In case you have an e-PAN no physical PAN Card will be issued, once it is released you can access e-PAN from the website of Income Tax Department.

e-PAN Features

Your ePAN will consist of-

➔ Permanent Account Number

➔ An individual’s demographics like Name, Account Holder’s Father’s name, Date of Birth,Gender and other details (as per the Aadhar Card) will be present.

➔ It will also contain an enhanced QR code which can be utilized for PAN verification if mode is off-line.

➔ Biometrics of an individual- signature and scanned photo will also be present for identification.

Conclusion

The concept of ePAN was brought up after an increase in the number of people applying for PANs was seen. ePAN Card is issued in an electronic format by using Aadhaar and e-KYC and is considered the same as the physical form of an actual PAN card. It is up to you whether you want a physical PAN card or an electronic version of PAN. Both PAN and e-PAN are valid and have the same features and functionalities. The only difference is that one is a physical card, and the other is a soft copy.

Currently, it is only being issued to individual taxpayers and not for Hindu Undivided families, firms, trusts, and companies. It is important to note that a new ePAN will not be allotted to a person who already holds a PAN.