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PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline December 31, 2025: Penalty, Status Check & What Happens in 2026

  • Writer: Rajiv Shukla
    Rajiv Shukla
  • Dec 24, 2025
  • 6 min read

Updated: Dec 29, 2025


PAN Aadhaar linking deadline graphic showing digital verification concept and December 31, 2025 deadline-NFSTUBE
PAN–Aadhaar linking deadline ends on December 31, 2025, after which unlinked PAN cards become inoperative.

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PAN is issued and managed by the Income Tax Department of India and is mandatory for income tax filing and major financial transactions. Linking PAN with Aadhaar is required to keep PAN active.


PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline Synopsis

December 31, 2025 is the final deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar, failing which PAN cards will become inoperative from January 1, 2026. Unlinked PANs can block income tax filing, refunds, banking, investments, and high-value financial transactions, while also attracting higher TDS. This guide explains who must link PAN with Aadhaar, the penalty involved, and the exact steps to complete the process before the deadline.


December 31, 2025 is the final deadline to link your PAN card with Aadhaar. From January 1, 2026, all unlinked PAN cards will become inoperative, impacting tax filings, refunds, banking, investments, and high-value financial transactions.


The Income Tax Department has made it clear that this is a final compliance window, especially for individuals who were allotted PAN using an Aadhaar Enrolment ID instead of a permanent Aadhaar number.

This guide explains who must link, how to complete the process, penalties involved, and what happens if you miss the deadline.


The Critical Deadline You Cannot Miss

The Central Board of Direct Taxes issued Notification No. 26/2025 on April 3, 2025, confirming December 31, 2025 as the final deadline for PAN-Aadhaar linkage in specified cases.


From January 1, 2026:

  • Unlinked PAN cards will be declared inoperative

  • PAN-based verification will fail across financial and government platforms

  • Reactivation will require penalty payment and processing time


The government has reiterated that this deadline will not be extended further.


PAN–Aadhaar (PAN Aadhar / Aadhaar PAN) linking applies to all PAN holders unless exempted by the Income Tax Department.



What Happens When Your PAN Becomes Inoperative

If your PAN becomes inoperative, the impact is immediate and wide-ranging.


Key consequences include:

  • Inability to file income tax returns

  • Tax refunds getting blocked indefinitely

  • Bank accounts, demat accounts, and mutual fund transactions getting restricted

  • Fixed deposits above ₹50,000 not permitted

  • Property, vehicle, and high-value purchase transactions blocked

  • Loan and credit card applications rejected


In addition, higher TDS applies automatically:

  • Tax is deducted at the maximum applicable rate

  • Salary, interest income, professional fees, and contract payments get affected

International remittances and foreign currency transactions beyond permitted limits may also fail due to PAN verification issues.



Who Must Link PAN With Aadhaar

This deadline specifically applies to individuals who:

  • Obtained PAN using an Aadhaar Enrolment ID

  • Applied before October 1, 2024

  • Now have a permanent 12-digit Aadhaar number


Other PAN holders were required to link earlier. If their PAN is already inoperative, they must still complete the linkage with the applicable penalty.


Exempted categories

The following individuals are exempt from PAN-Aadhaar linking:

  • Residents of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya

  • Non-Resident Indians

  • Individuals aged 80 years or above

  • Persons who are not citizens of India

If you fall under these categories, your PAN remains valid without Aadhaar linkage.



Step-by-Step Guide to Link PAN With Aadhaar

You can link PAN with Aadhaar through the Income Tax e-Filing portal.


Steps involved:

  • Visit the e-Filing portal homepage

  • Go to Quick Links and select Link Aadhaar

  • Enter PAN number and Aadhaar number

  • Provide mobile number linked with Aadhaar

  • Enter OTP received for verification


If PAN and Aadhaar details match exactly, submission is completed instantly and sent for UIDAI validation.


If there is a minor name mismatch:

  • An additional Aadhaar OTP is required

  • Minor spelling differences are usually accepted


Processing time typically ranges from 4 to 5 working days, though some cases may take longer.


How to Check Aadhaar–PAN Link Status Online

You can check Aadhaar–PAN link status online using the Income Tax portal.

Steps to check Aadhaar PAN link status:

  1. Visit www.incometax.gov.in

  2. Click on Link Aadhaar Status

  3. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number

  4. Submit to view current PAN–Aadhaar link status

If your PAN is already linked with Aadhaar, the status will show as “Linked”.


Note: PAN card status (application or correction status) is different from Aadhaar–PAN linking status.




Understanding the ₹1,000 Penalty

If you missed the earlier deadline, a mandatory penalty of ₹1,000 applies.

You cannot complete the linkage without paying this fee.


How to pay the penalty

  • Log in to the e-Filing portal

  • Select e-Pay Tax

  • Choose the current Assessment Year

  • Select Income Tax as payment type

  • Under Minor Head, choose 500

  • Complete payment via net banking or other available modes

Payment usually reflects in the system within 4 to 5 working days, after which you can submit the linking request.



How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status

To confirm whether your PAN is linked:

Steps:

  • Visit the e-Filing portal

  • Click on Link Aadhaar Status

  • Enter PAN and Aadhaar numbers

Status results:

  • Successfully linked confirmation

  • Pending validation with UIDAI

  • Not linked

Pending cases may take 7 to 30 days depending on verification complexity. Always check status before assuming compliance.



Timeline for Reactivation of Inoperative PAN

If your PAN becomes inoperative after January 1, 2026, it can still be reactivated.


However:

  • You must complete linking and pay the ₹1,000 penalty

  • Reactivation takes up to 30 days

  • PAN remains unusable during this period

Avoid planning important tax filings or financial transactions during the reactivation window.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the last date to link PAN with Aadhaar?

December 31, 2025 is the final deadline. PAN cards unlinked by this date will become inoperative from January 1, 2026.


Q2. What is the penalty for late PAN-Aadhaar linking?

A penalty of ₹1,000 applies. The fee must be paid before submitting the linking request.


Q3. How long does the linking process take?

Most requests are processed within 4 to 5 working days. In some cases, verification may take up to 30 days.


Q4. What happens if PAN is not linked by the deadline?

PAN becomes inoperative, blocking tax filings, refunds, banking, investments, loans, and property transactions. Higher TDS rates apply automatically.


Q5. Can PAN be linked after January 1, 2026?

Yes, but PAN remains inoperative until linking is completed and reactivation is processed, which can take up to 30 days.


Q6: How do I check Aadhaar PAN link status?

A: Visit www.incometax.gov.in, select “Link Aadhaar Status”, enter PAN and Aadhaar number to check the current status.


Q7: What is PAN card status?

A: PAN card status refers to the application or correction status of a PAN card, not Aadhaar–PAN linking.


Final compliance note

If your PAN was issued using an Aadhaar Enrolment ID, do not wait till the last week of December. Portal traffic and payment delays can create avoidable complications.


PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline YouTube Video Suggestion

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Tags

PAN Aadhaar link deadline, PAN Aadhaar penalty, PAN inoperative 2026, income tax PAN Aadhaar, Aadhaar PAN linking guide


About the Author

Rajiv Shukla reports on global news, current affairs and major Indian festivities with a clear, fact-first style. He grew up in Lucknow and studied journalism at a recognised college in Delhi, where he developed a strong interest in public events and policy. Rajiv enjoys explaining fast-moving stories in a way anyone can follow. Off duty, he loves long evening walks and exploring old book markets.


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