Permanent account number

Permanent Account Number (PAN)
TypePan Card
Issued byIndia
First issued1972 (52 years ago) (1972)
In circulationIndia
PurposeTaxation, identification and age verification
Valid inIndia
EligibilityCitizen Should Be 18 years
ExpirationNot Applicable
Cost106.90 (US$1.30)
Websitewww.onlineservices.nsdl.com


A permanent account number (PAN) is a ten-character alphanumeric identifier Foundational ID, issued in the form of a laminated "PAN card", by the Indian Income Tax Department, to any person who applies for it or to whom the department allots the number without an application. It can also be obtained in the form of a PDF file known as e-PAN from the website of the Indian Income Tax Department.

A PAN is a unique identifier issued to all judicial entities identifiable under the Indian Income Tax Act,[1] 1961. The income tax PAN and its linked card are issued under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act. It is issued by the Indian Income Tax Department under the supervision of the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT) and it also serves as an important proof of identification.

It is also issued to foreign nationals (such as investors) subject to a valid visa, and hence a PAN card is not acceptable as proof of Indian citizenship.[2] A PAN is necessary for filing income tax returns (ITR).

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Voter ID card sufficient proof of citizenship, rules Mumbai court". The Indian Express. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2023.