A PAN card number isn't just a number, but your financial identity for the Income Tax authorities. Your PAN number is a carefully designated alpha-numeric that has components based on your identity details.
But have you ever wondered if you could change your PAN card number?
We all tend to be fascinated with numbers being based on luck, astrology and personal history. So, can you reframe or change your PAN card number to suit such needs?
This can be a common question arising in your mind. However, the answer is an absolute ‘No.’
Your PAN card number is a permanent model of your financial identity.
Here’s why it is permanent in this article:
Why Your PAN Card Number is a Permanent Identifier
The Income Tax Department (ITD) would issue a unique PAN number to each individual or entity. This will serve as a consistent identifier for all their financial activities throughout their lifetime.
You can think of it as a financial serial number.
This unique PAN number is linking every significant financial transaction you make. It is a unique identifier of your:
- Opening a bank account
- Investing in mutual funds
- Buying property
- Filing taxes
For ITD authorities, it is crucial to have this permanence to maintain a comprehensive and accurate audit trail of an individual's financial history.
If people were able to change their PAN number, it would create chaos. This would make it nearly impossible to:
- Track financial footprints
- Detect tax evasion
- Curb illegal financial activities
Your PAN number can ensure that all your financial data is consolidated under one unchanging identifier.
What Should I Do If I Have Two PAN Cards?
In some rare cases, an individual might have been accidently issued two different PAN cards with separate PAN card numbers.
However, holding more than one PAN number is illegal under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act (ITA), 1961. This law has specifically stated that a person cannot hold more than one PAN.
What Changes Can You Make on Your PAN Card
Your PAN card number alpha-numeric is a permanent 10-character identity. However, you are allowed to change other details on your PAN card.
Life events and clerical errors can often necessitate changes to the information printed on the card or stored in the ITD database. You need to maintain the accuracy of these details. This is a crucial step, as discrepancies between your PAN and other documents like Aadhaar or bank records might lead to transaction failures and other compliance issues.
You can apply for PAN card corrections or updates PAN card details for the following:
- Full Name: This is common after marriage (for name changes) or to correct spelling mistakes.
- Father's Name: Corrections for spelling errors are possible.
- Date of Birth: You can correct it if it was entered incorrectly during the initial application.
- Photograph: You can update your photograph, especially if the old one is outdated.
- Signature: An updated signature can be provided if it is changed.
- Address and Contact Details: Your communication address, email ID, and mobile number can be updated to ensure you receive important communications from the tax department.
You need to remember that any request for these changes will result in a new card being issued. This new PAN card will have your updated details. However, your PAN number on that card will remain exactly the same as earlier.
Process for PAN Card Correction
The procedure to update your details is simple and entirely online. It would not change your PAN card number but simply refresh the data linked to it. The process is handled through the official Protean eGov technologies Ltd. portal.
Here is a general outline of the PAN card correction steps involved:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the Protean eGov Technologies website.
- Select the Right Form: Choose the option for 'Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data' or 'Apply for correction in PAN card details'.
- Fill the Application: You will need to enter your existing PAN number and fill out the form. Critically, you only need to tick the boxes corresponding to the details you wish to change. For example, if you are only correcting your name, tick the box next to the name field.
- Upload Documents: You must upload scanned copies of supporting documents. This includes proof of identity, proof of address, proof of date of birth, and proof for the specific change requested (e.g., a marriage certificate for a name change). Alternatively, you can also use the Aadhaar-based e-KYC for verification.
- Make Payment: A nominal processing fee needs to be paid online.
- Acknowledgement and Dispatch: After successful submission, you will receive an acknowledgement slip. The request is processed, and a new PAN card with the updated details is dispatched to your address.
Conclusion
In summary, the answer to "Can I change my PAN card number?" is a firm no.
Your PAN is a lifelong, permanent identifier. Instead of seeking to change the number, you should focus on ensuring all the information associated with it is accurate and that you do not hold any duplicate PANs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Will I receive a new PAN card after applying for a correction?
Yes. After your application for correction is successfully processed, a new physical PAN card with the updated information will be printed and sent to your registered communication address. However, your PAN number on the new card will be identical to the old one.
- What are the consequences of not surrendering a duplicate PAN?
Failing to surrender a duplicate PAN number is a violation of the Income Tax Act. The Income Tax Department can impose a penalty of ₹10,000 or up to ₹1 lakh depending on the severity of the violation. Additionally, the department may deactivate the duplicate PAN, which could cause complications in your future financial transactions if that number is linked anywhere.
- Can I update my PAN details offline?
Yes, an offline process exists. You can download the 'Request for New PAN Card or/and Changes or Correction in PAN Data' form, fill it out, attach the required documents, and submit it at the nearest PAN application center managed by Protean eGov Technologies Ltd.
