PAN–Aadhaar link status: check, link and fix an inoperative PAN

Quick answer: Open incometax.gov.in → Quick Links → Link Aadhaar Status, enter your PAN and Aadhaar and click View Link Aadhaar Status. If it isn't linked, pay the ₹1,000 late fee under e-Pay Tax ("Fee for delay in linking PAN with Aadhaar"), wait for the payment to show, then submit Link Aadhaar with OTP. Until it's linked, your PAN is inoperative: refunds are held and TDS/TCS is deducted at higher rates (generally 20% or twice the normal rate).

Key takeaways

• Checking the status is free and needs no login.
• The ₹1,000 fee must be paid before you submit the link request — the order matters.
• Name, date of birth and gender must match on PAN and Aadhaar, or the link fails.
• Residents of Assam, J&K and Meghalaya, non-residents, people 80+ and non-citizens are exempt.
• A PAN usually becomes operative again within about 30 days of linking.

If your bank asked for "valid PAN", your mutual fund KYC got stuck, or your salary TDS suddenly jumped, an unlinked PAN is often the reason. This guide shows how to check your status in a minute, how to link with the fee, how to fix mismatches, and what an inoperative PAN means for your money.

#How to check PAN–Aadhaar link status (free)

1. Go to incometax.gov.in. You don't need to log in.
2. Under Quick Links, click Link Aadhaar Status.
3. Enter your 10-character PAN and 12-digit Aadhaar number.
4. Click View Link Aadhaar Status.

What the message means:

You can also check by logging in: Profile → Link Aadhaar shows the status.

#Step 1: Pay the ₹1,000 late fee

1. On incometax.gov.in, go to Quick Links → e-Pay Tax.
2. Enter your PAN (twice) and mobile number, then the OTP.
3. Select the Income Tax tile and click Proceed.
4. Choose the Assessment Year shown for the fee (the portal pre-selects the right one in most cases) and Type of Payment: Other Receipts (500).
5. Under "Others", enter ₹1,000 as the fee for delay in linking.
6. Pay through net banking, debit card, UPI or at the bank counter (challan).

Tip: Pay using e-Pay Tax on the portal, not a generic challan. The portal tags the payment correctly so the link request can find it.

The payment takes 4–5 working days to show on the portal.

#Step 2: Submit the link request

1. Go to Quick Links → Link Aadhaar (or Profile → Link Aadhaar after logging in).
2. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar, click Validate.
3. The portal confirms your fee payment. Click Continue.
4. Enter your name as on Aadhaar and your mobile number, tick the consent box.
5. Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your mobile and submit.
6. The request goes to UIDAI for validation. Check the status after a few days.

#Who must link, and who is exempt

You must link if you got a PAN on or before 1 July 2017, or got a PAN using an Aadhaar enrolment ID (those people had until 31 December 2025 to update the actual Aadhaar number). New PANs issued using Aadhaar are linked automatically.

You are exempt if you are:

• A resident of Assam, Jammu & Kashmir or Meghalaya
• A non-resident under the Income-tax Act
• Aged 80 years or more at any time during the previous year
• Not a citizen of India

Warning: NRIs are exempt, but many NRIs' PANs still turned inoperative because their residential status wasn't updated with the tax department. Update it through your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer with proof (passport pages, visa) to restore the PAN.

#Why linking fails — and how to fix it

If names differ only slightly (for example, missing a middle name), the portal may offer biometric-based linking at designated PAN service centres for a fee.

#What an inoperative PAN means

An inoperative PAN isn't cancelled — but it stops working for most money matters until it's linked:

• Refunds are not issued, and no interest is paid for the period the PAN was inoperative.
• TDS is deducted at a higher rate — generally 20%, or twice the normal rate if that's higher (section 206AA). On salary, it's deducted at the average rate or 20%, whichever is higher.
• TCS is collected at a higher rate — generally 5% or twice the normal rate (section 206CC).
• Form 15G/15H (to avoid TDS on interest) can't be used.
• Banks, brokers and mutual funds may freeze new investments or KYC updates.

Example: You earn ₹50,000 interest on fixed deposits. With a valid PAN, TDS is 10% = ₹5,000. With an inoperative PAN, TDS is 20% = ₹10,000 — and you can't get the extra back as a refund until the PAN works again.

#How long until the PAN works again?

After the fee is paid and the link is accepted, the PAN generally becomes operative within about 30 days. You can check its status at Quick Links → Verify Your PAN.

#Frequently asked questions

Can I link PAN and Aadhaar for free now?

No, the free window has ended. Most people must pay the ₹1,000 late fee before linking, unless they are exempt.

What is the last date to link PAN with Aadhaar?

The main deadline has passed. You can still link at any time after paying the ₹1,000 fee; the PAN stays inoperative until you do.

How do I check if my PAN is operative?

Use Quick Links → Verify Your PAN on incometax.gov.in. Enter your PAN, name, date of birth and mobile number.

Can I file ITR with an inoperative PAN?

You may be able to file, but refunds will be held and other processing can fail. Link first. See how to file ITR online.

Is SMS linking still available?

The e-filing portal is the main and most reliable route. Use incometax.gov.in for both linking and status.

Will I get the ₹1,000 back if linking fails?

The fee stays valid against your PAN. Fix the mismatch and submit the link request again without paying a second time.

Does an inoperative PAN affect my bank account?

Your account keeps working, but banks may restrict some transactions that need a valid PAN, and TDS on interest goes up.

#Sources

• Income Tax Department — e-Filing portal
• Angel One — PAN–Aadhaar linking 2026 after paying ₹1,000
• Protean — What an inoperative PAN means for TDS and TCS
• Business Today — Link PAN with Aadhaar after paying ₹1,000 (July 2026)
• IIFL — Consequences of not linking Aadhaar with PAN (2026)