Exploring Panama: Time Well Spent

How long should you spend in Pan? Well, that depends on what you're cooking.

If you're making a quick fried egg, you might only need a couple of minutes in the pan. But if you're cooking something more complex, like a steak or a stir-fry, you'll need to allow a bit more time – maybe 5-10 minutes, or even longer if you're cooking in bulk.

Of course, you don't want to overcook your food, so it's important to keep an eye on it and adjust the cooking time accordingly. And remember, you can always put things back in the pan if they need a little longer, but you can't undo overcooking!

Online application: 48 hours

The process of applying for a PAN card online is straightforward and can be completed in 48 hours. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Visit the NSDL Website

Go to the official website of NSDL and select the relevant application form. The website will provide you with a dropdown menu to choose from.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Form

After reviewing the guidelines, select the appropriate form type, either with or without a digital signature. Then, fill in all the required details.

Step 3: Submit the Application Form

Once you have filled in all the necessary information, submit the application form.

Step 4: Track Your Application Status

After submitting the form, you will receive an application acknowledgement number. You can use this number to track the status of your application.

Step 5: Receive Your PAN Card

Upon successful processing of your application, you will receive your PAN card within 48 hours. It will be sent to your registered communication address by post.

Documents Required for Online Application

When applying for a PAN card online, you must submit various documents to verify your identity, residence, and other personal information. Here is a list of the required documents:

• Identity Proof: Aadhar Card, Driver's License, Voter's ID, Passport, or other accepted documents.
• Address Proof: Aadhar Card, Driver's License, Voter's ID, Property Registration Document, or other specified documents.
• Date of Birth Proof: Matriculation Mark Sheet, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, or other acceptable documents.

For foreign citizens, additional documents are required, including a copy of their passport, PIO Card, OCI Card, or other specified documents with due attestation.

Benefits of Online Application

The online application process offers several advantages, including speed and convenience. By applying online, you can receive your PAN card within 48 hours, significantly faster than the traditional 15-20 day waiting period. Additionally, the online process eliminates the need to visit a PAN service centre, saving time and effort.

Things to Keep in Mind

It is important to note that the 48-hour timeline applies to receiving your PAN number and may not reflect the delivery time of the physical PAN card. The physical card can take 15-20 days to arrive at your address. Furthermore, Indian citizens are not permitted to possess more than one PAN card. Applying for an instant PAN card when you already have one can lead to legal complications.

Offline application: 15-20 days

If you are applying for a PAN card offline, it will take 15-20 days to receive your physical card. Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a PAN card offline:

Step 1: Download the PAN Card application form

You can download the PAN Card application form from the NSDL website.

Step 2: Fill out the form and attach the required documents

Print a copy of the form and fill it out. Make sure to attach the specified documents, such as proof of identity, address, and date of birth.

Step 3: Submit the form to your nearest PAN service centre

Submit the duly filled and attested application form to your nearest PAN service centre.

Step 4: Receive your PAN card by post

After your application is verified, the PAN card will be sent to the postal address mentioned in the form. This usually takes around 15-20 days.

Documents required: ID, address proof, DoB

The documents required for a PAN card application vary depending on the type of applicant (individual or organisation) and citizenship. Here is a detailed breakdown of the documents required for each category of applicant:

Documents Required for PAN Card Application by HUFs and Individuals (Being Citizens of India)

Proof of Identity:

• Ration card with the applicant's photo
• Photo ID card issued by the central government, state government, or any undertaking of the public sector
• A certificate issued by a bank, duly attested, containing the applicant's photo and bank account number
• Central government health scheme card
• Pensioner card copy with the applicant's photograph
• A certificate of identity in a prescribed format signed by a Member of Legislative Assembly, Member of Parliament, Municipal Councillor, or a Gazetted Officer
• Bank statement on letterhead from the bank branch, along with the name and stamp of the issuing officer, containing a duly attested photograph and bank account number of the applicant
• In the case of a minor applicant, the parent's/guardian's proof of identity shall be deemed proof of identity and address for the minor applicant
• In the case of HUFs, an affidavit by the karta of the HUF stating the name, father's name, and address of all the coparceners on the date of application will serve as proof of identity

Proof of Address:

• Landline connection bills
• Bills for broadband connection
• Voter ID card containing a photograph
• Bank account statements
• Credit card statements
• Passbook of the post office account containing the applicant's address
• Latest order for property tax assessment
• Domicile certificate allotted by the government
• Allotment letter of accommodation issued by the Central or State Government, not more than three years old
• Property Registration Documents
• Utility bills and bank/credit card statements should be recent, preferably not more than three months old

Proof of Date of Birth:

• Birth certificate issued by any office certified to issue Birth and Death Certificates, such as the Municipal Authority
• Birth Certificate issued by the Indian Consulate
• Matriculation certificate from a recognised board
• Certificate of Marriage issued by the Marriage Registrar's Office
• Pension payment order
• Domicile certificate issued by the Government of India or any state government
• Affidavit stating the DOB, signed before a magistrate
• Photo identity card issued by the Central Government or State Government or Central Public Sector Undertaking or State Public Sector Undertaking

Documents Required for PAN Card Application by Individuals and HUFs (Not Being Citizens of India)

Proof of Identity:

• OCI card allotted by the Government of India
• PIO card allotted by the Government of India
• Other Citizenship ID Number, National ID Number, or Taxpayer ID Number—any of these must be properly attested either by the 'Apostille' or by any Indian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate functioning in the applicant's home country

Proof of Address:

• PIO card allotted by the Government of India
• OCI card allotted by the Government of India
• Non-resident external bank account statements in India
• Bank account statements from the country where the applicant resides
• Registration certificate issued by the Office of Foreigner's Registration, reflecting the Indian address
• Other Citizenship ID Number or National ID Number, Taxpayer ID Number—any of these must be properly attested either by the 'Apostille' or by any Indian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate functioning in the applicant's home country
• Visa granted by any foreign country, along with the Appointment letter copy provided by the Indian company or Employer-issued original certificate of Address in India

Documents Required for PAN Card Application by Assessees Other Than Individuals

The term 'Company' includes the following:

• Limited Liability Partnership
• Association of Persons
• Artificial Juridical Person

For Companies Having an Office in India:

• Copy of the Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Companies
• Copy of the Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Firms or Copy of Partnership Deed for Limited Liability Partnerships
• Copy of the Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of LLPs
• Copy of the trust deed or copy of the certificate of registration number issued by the Charity Commissioner for Association of Person, Body of Individuals, Local Authority, or Artificial Juridical Person

For Companies Not Having an Office in India:

• Company registration certificate issued in the country where the applicant resides, duly attested by 'Apostille' or by the High Commission or Consulate in the country of the applicant's residence, or by the Indian Embassy or any other authorised officials of overseas branches of Scheduled Banks registered in India
• Registration certificate issued in India or approval granted to set up an office in India by Indian Authorities.

Note: Applicants must ensure that these certificates adhere to the format prescribed by the Income Tax Authorities.

Track application: Use acknowledgement number

After submitting your PAN card application, you will receive an acknowledgement number. This number is crucial for tracking your application status. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the acknowledgement number to track your PAN card application:

• Visit the official website of NSDL.
• If you are a first-time applicant, enter the application coupon number you received after submitting your application. If you are seeking a reprint, enter your existing PAN number.
• Verify the captcha by entering the displayed characters or selecting the correct images, depending on the type of captcha.
• Click on the "Submit" button.
• The PAN verification status will be displayed on the screen.

Note that you can only check the verification status after 5 days of receiving the acknowledgement. Additionally, while you can receive your PAN number within 48 hours through the online process, the physical PAN card delivery will take around 15-20 days.

No dual PAN cards allowed

According to the Income Tax Act of 1961, it is illegal for an individual to possess more than one PAN card. The PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10-digit alphanumeric identity allotted by the Income Tax Department to all judicial entities identifiable under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Each PAN is unique to an individual and can be used as proof of identity.

Reasons for Dual PAN Cards

In most cases, multiple PAN allotments are done by mistake. Some of the reasons for dual PAN cards include:

• Multiple applications - when an applicant applies for a PAN card and it doesn't arrive within the scheduled time, they may apply again. If the previous PAN card was dispatched and the new application is processed separately, the applicant may receive two PAN cards.
• New application instead of correction - when an applicant wants to make corrections to their PAN card but instead applies for a new one, they may obtain two PAN cards.
• New application post-marriage - if a woman changes her surname after marriage, she may apply for a new PAN instead of requesting a correction to her existing one, resulting in two PAN cards.
• NRI applicants - Non-Resident Indians may apply for a PAN card when arriving in India to conduct business or perform a commercial transaction. However, when they return to the country after many years, they may forget they already have a PAN and apply again, resulting in multiple PAN cards.

Consequences of Dual PAN Cards

Possessing multiple PAN cards is considered a potential fraud and can have adverse effects on your credit profile. Banks often view individuals with multiple PAN cards as fraudsters and are hesitant to provide loans to such applicants. Most banks will blacklist these individuals, leading to credit problems even with a good CIBIL score.

Additionally, as per Section 272B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, those found guilty of having multiple PAN cards shall be subject to a penalty of Rs. 10,000.

Resolving Dual PAN Cards

The only solution to resolving multiple/duplicate/extra PAN cards is to surrender the extra PAN card(s) at the Income Tax Department. This can be done either online or offline. Here are the steps to surrender your duplicate PAN card online:

• Visit the NSDL website at https://www.onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/endUserRegisterContact.html
• In the 'Application Type' tab, choose 'Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data/Reprint of PAN Card (No changes in existing PAN Data)' from the drop-down menu.
• Fill in your personal details under the 'Applicant Information' tab and submit the form.
• You will receive a token number and will be redirected to a new page. Click on the 'Continue with PAN Application Form' tab.
• Choose the second option, 'Submit scanned images through e-sign', and fill in the details of the PAN number you want to retain.
• Fill in the mandatory personal details, including 'Address for Communication'.
• Get to the 'Mention other Permanent Account Numbers (PANs) if any, inadvertently allotted to you' tab and fill in the details of the extra/duplicate PAN cards you want cancelled/surrendered.
• Provide the details of the documents you are enclosing to support your application, including scanned copies of your photo, signature, and other documents.
• Sign the declaration on the form, verify the information provided, and submit it.

Alternatively, you can use Form 49A, available at https://www.protean-tinpan.com/downloads/pan/download/Form_49A.PDF. Mention the details of the PAN card to be surrendered and submit the form at the nearest UTI or NSDL TIN facilitation centre. Remember to save a copy of the acknowledgement.

Frequently asked questions