December 31 Deadline Alert: Two Important Tasks You Must Finish Before 2026 Begins

December marks the end of the year and with it comes a few critical financial deadlines. If these tasks are not completed by December 31, 2025, you could face penalties, delays, or unnecessary hassles in the new year. Here’s a quick, clear look at what needs your immediate attention.

PAN-Aadhaar Linking : Final Date Is December 31

The government has made it mandatory to link your PAN card with Aadhaar, and the final deadline is December 31, 2025. Missing this date can disrupt many of your financial activities.

What happens if you don’t link them?

If PAN-Aadhaar linking is not done on time, your PAN will become inoperative from the next day. This means:

• You won’t be able to file or verify your Income Tax Return
• Refunds will be put on hold
• Pending ITRs won’t be processed
• TDS/TCS credits may not reflect in Form 26AS
• TDS/TCS could be deducted at a higher rate

The good news? Once you complete the linking later, your PAN usually becomes active again within 30 days, but the inconvenience can be costly.

Belated ITR Filing Deadline Ends on December 31

If you missed the original ITR filing deadline, December 31, 2025 is your last chance to file a belated return.

Miss this deadline and you may face:

• Loss of eligible income tax refunds
• Late filing fees
• Additional interest on tax dues

To avoid financial loss, it’s best to file your belated ITR as soon as possible.

How to Link PAN with Aadhaar : Simple Steps

Linking PAN and Aadhaar is quick and can be done online:

• Visit the official Income Tax Department portal
• Click on “Link Aadhaar”
• Enter your PAN, Aadhaar number, and mobile number
• Verify using the OTP
• If your PAN is already inoperative, pay the ₹1,000 linking fee
• Check the status under Quick Links - Link Aadhaar Status

December 31, 2025, is more than just a year-end date, it’s a crucial financial deadline. Complete your PAN-Aadhaar linking and file any pending belated ITR now to start 2026 stress-free and penalty-free.