Know All About Permanent Account Number (PAN)

What is Permanent Account Number ?

PAN is a ten-digit unique alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department. PAN is issued in the form of a laminated plastic card with Enhanced Quick Response (QR) Code as given below (commonly known as PAN card):

Understand the structure of the ten characters of PAN

PAN is a ten-digit unique alphanumeric number. So for understanding the structure we will take an example:

PAN : HGFPS2018D 

• “HGF” Out of the first five characters, the first three characters represent the alphabetic series running from AAA to ZZZ.
• HGF“P”The fourth character of PAN represents the status of the PAN holder:
  • “P” stands for Individual
  • “C” stands for Company
  • “H” stands for Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
  • “A” stands for Association of Persons (AOP)
  • “B” stands for Body of Individuals (BOI)
  • “G” stands for Government Agency
  • “J” stands for Artificial Juridical Person
  • “L” stands for Local Authority
  • “F” stands for Firm/ Limited Liability Partnership
  • “T” stands for Trust

• PAN : HGFP“S”2018D
  • Fifth character of PAN represents the first character of the PAN holder’s last name/surname in
    case of an individual.
  • In case of non-individual PAN holders fifth character represents the first
    character of PAN holder’s name.
• PAN : HGFPS“2018”D
  • Next four characters are sequential numbers running from 0001 to 9999.
• PAN: HGFPS2018“D”
  • Last character, i.e., the tenth character is an alphabetic check digit.

What is the use of PAN card?

PAN enables the department to identify/ link all transactions of the PAN holder with the department. These transactions include tax payments, TDS/TCS credits, returns of income, specified transactions, correspondence, etc, and so on. It facilitates easy retrieval of information of PAN holder and matching of various investments, borrowings, and other business activities of PAN holder.

How to apply for PAN?

• Income Tax Department has authorised UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL) and National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) to set-up and manage PAN Service Centers. UTIITSL and NSDL have established PAN Service Centers and TIN Facilitation Centers at various places in major cities of India (hereinafter referred to as PAN application centers of UTIITSL/NSDL).
• Thus, a person wishing to obtain PAN can apply for PAN by submitting the PAN application form (Form 49A/49AA) along with the related documents and prescribed fees at the PAN application center of UTIITSL or NSDL. An online application can also be made from the website of UTIITSL or NSDL.

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