Aadhaar-PAN Link Deadline Nears: Complete the Process in 2 Minutes or Face PAN Deactivation from January 1

Aadhaar-PAN Link: Deadline Near, Complete the Process in 2 Minutes to Avoid PAN Becoming Inoperative

The deadline to link Aadhaar with PAN is approaching fast, and taxpayers must act immediately to avoid major financial inconvenience. As per the Income Tax Department, 31 December 2025 is the last date to complete the Aadhaar-PAN linking process. Missing the deadline means your PAN will become inoperative from 1 January 2026

, which can lead to serious complications, including issues in filing ITR and stopping income tax refunds.

This mandatory compliance applies to all individuals who were issued a PAN on or before 1 October 2025. Additionally, those who have recently applied for PAN using an Aadhaar enrolment ID must also re-link their PAN with Aadhaar to keep it functional.

What Happens If You Don’t Link Aadhaar with PAN?

Failing to complete the linking process will cause multiple disruptions in tax-related processes and banking operations. Once your PAN becomes inoperative:

You cannot file or verify Income Tax Returns (ITR).
Refunds will be withheld until the PAN is reactivated.
TDS/TCS credits will not reflect in Form 26AS.
Higher TDS may be deducted on taxable payments.
You may face issues while investing, opening bank accounts, or conducting financial transactions requiring PAN verification.

The Income Tax Department has clearly stated that linking is mandatory

, and non-compliance will directly affect individuals with taxable income as well as salaried employees.

How to Link PAN with Aadhaar in Just 2 Minutes

The process of linking PAN with Aadhaar is simple and can be completed online using the Income Tax e-filing website. Follow these steps:

Step-by-step process

Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal

Click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’

option available on the home page under Quick Links

Enter your PAN number, Aadhaar number, and mobile number

Enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number

Submit the request to complete the linking

If PAN is already showing inactive

If you delayed the process, your PAN might display as inoperative, in which case you must first pay a penalty fee of ₹1,000

to complete the linking. After the payment, you can proceed with OTP verification and link both documents.

When Is the ₹1,000 Penalty Applicable?

The late fee applies to taxpayers who try to link Aadhaar and PAN after the initial allowed period has passed. If your PAN already appears disabled on the website, you will be guided to make the payment before proceeding.

How to Check Aadhaar-PAN Link Status

After submitting the request, you can check the status by:

Visiting the e-filing portal
Clicking on ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ under the Quick Links section
Entering PAN and Aadhaar details to view the linking result

In some cases, the status may take time to update, so you may check again after a few hours.

Important Things to Ensure Before Linking

Aadhaar and PAN will link successfully only if:

Name, Date of Birth, and Gender are the same on both documents
Mobile number is correctly updated in Aadhaar

Even a small spelling mistake or mismatch in details can stop the linking process. Therefore, verify both records carefully before initiating the procedure.

Do Not Wait for the Last Day

As the deadline approaches, the website may experience heavy traffic, slow response, or delayed OTP deliveries. To avoid unnecessary delays, it is recommended to complete the linking as early as possible and save a screenshot confirmation for future reference.

Final Note

The Aadhaar-PAN link is a critical compliance requirement for all taxpayers. With only a few weeks remaining until December 31, 2025, completing the process now will help avoid activation fees, higher TDS deductions, and problems in ITR filing. Take action today and ensure smooth financial operations without disruption.