How to apply for a PAN Card ?

How to apply for a PAN card?

If you are not decided on whether you need a PAN card or are unsure of the benefits of having a PAN card, please read this article first.

Now that you are convinced on the benefits of having a PAN card, let’s see how you can get one. Currently, there are two ways to apply for a PAN card – Online and Offline.

How to apply offline – Traditional paper application methodYou can either submit the application yourself or hire a chartered accountant or an agent who provides PAN application services. The process is very simple and straight forward and we recommend you do it yourself.

You will first need Form 49A. The first two pages of the form list out all the guidelines, and the do’s and don’ts while filling the form – read them carefully before filling the form. Do not forget to affix a passport sized color photograph and sign the document wherever mentioned. The same signature and photograph will be imprinted on your PAN card, so make sure your photo is clear and is recently taken!

Once you have filled the form, staple a copy of the proof of address and a proof of identity to the application and submit it long with a processing fee of Rs 94/- to your nearest TIN facilitation center. Make sure you collect an acknowledgment number upon submitting the application. The acknowledgment number will come handy if you want to track the progress of your PAN application. Your shiny new PAN card will delivered to your residence within a month.

How to apply onlineIf you do not have the time and patience to visit the TIN office to submit the PAN application, try the online route.

Please make sure you have read all the guidelines on the opening page before you start filling the application. Make the payment of Rs. 94, plus a nominal surcharge, through your credit/debit card or net-banking account. Upon making the payment, you will receive an acknowledgment. Print this acknowledgment on an A4 size paper and affix a recent passport size color photograph in the space provided for the same. Do not forget to sign the document wherever mentioned. Staple a copy of the proof of address and a proof of identity to the acknowledgment letter and mail it to the following address:

Income Tax PAN Services Unit,
National Securities Depository Limited,
3rd floor, Sapphire Chambers,
Near Baner Telephone Exchange,
Baner, Pune – 411045

Super-scribe the envelope with ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN – [acknowledgment number]‘. Make sure the letter reaches the address within 15 days of submitting the online application. Your PAN card will be delivered by IT department to your residence within 15 days of receipt of the acknowledgment letter.

Which is the fastest – online or offline?
Online of-course! If you are in a hurry and need a PAN card urgently, then we advise you to go the online route. The tax department treats all online PAN applications as tatkal applications and hence process the request on a priority basis over offline application. Unlike tatkal train tickets, you do not have to pay extra charges for the additional benefit. Also, by applying online you do most of the data-entry work yourself, leaving no scope for a data entry operator in the IT department to make errors in your application like misspelling your name on the card.

Hire only a trusted agent, if you have to
If you decide to hire the services of an agent to help you out with the application process, please make sure the person is trustworthy and will not sell your contact details to various phone marketing agencies. Such information is most sought after by insurance and loan agents and hence sells for a premium. Also there have been numerous news reports of agents using the information to make fake credit card applications. So beware.