Link PAN with Aadhaar Online: ₹1,000 Fee & Steps

Every individual with a PAN (except exempt categories) must link it with Aadhaar. The last free and extended deadlines have passed, and PANs not linked by 31 December 2025 became inoperative from 1 January 2026. You can still link it, but you have to pay a ₹1,000 fee first. Here’s exactly how.

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What an inoperative PAN means

You can’t file income tax returns or get refunds properly.
TDS/TCS may be deducted at a higher rate.
Banks, brokers and mutual funds may block PAN-based transactions.

Once you link Aadhaar (after paying the fee), the PAN becomes operative again, usually within about 30 days.

Step 1: Pay the ₹1,000 fee

On the Income Tax e-filing portal, open e-Pay Tax (you don’t need to log in).
Enter your PAN and mobile number and verify with the OTP.
Choose Income Tax, the current assessment year, type of payment Other Receipts (500), and pay ₹1,000.
Wait a few days for the payment to reflect before linking.

Step 2: Link PAN with Aadhaar

On the e-filing portal, click Link Aadhaar under Quick Links.
Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click Validate.
Enter your name as on Aadhaar and your mobile number, then verify with the OTP.
Submit. The request goes to UIDAI for validation.

Check if it’s linked

Use Link Aadhaar Status on the e-filing portal, or send an SMS: UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN> to 567678 or 56161. See our PAN-Aadhaar link status guide.

Linking fails: name or date of birth mismatch

Linking fails if your name, date of birth or gender don’t match between PAN and Aadhaar. Correct whichever is wrong first, either Aadhaar via myAadhaar or PAN via a correction request, then try again.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ₹1,000 fee refundable?

No. It’s a statutory fee under Section 234H of the Income-tax Act.

Who is exempt from PAN-Aadhaar linking?

Certain categories, such as some non-residents, people aged 80 and above, and residents of specified states, are exempt. Check the Income Tax Department’s current notification.

Related guides

Official link: Income Tax Department – Link Aadhaar. Easy Guide India is not affiliated with the Income Tax Department.

About the author: Easy Guide India Editorial Team

The Easy Guide India editorial team writes step-by-step guides on Indian government documents, banking, railways and personal finance. Every guide is checked against the official source (UIDAI, Income Tax Department, IRCTC, RBI, NPCI and others) and updated when rules change. We are an independent website and are not affiliated with any government body — always confirm fees, deadlines and eligibility on the official portal.

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How to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online (₹1,000 Fee, Inoperative PAN)