INDIA: New Deadline for Linking Aadhaar to PAN

July 4, 2018


The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for residents to link their Aadhaar number to their Permanent Account Number (PAN) until 31st March 2019.

This is the fifth time the government has extended this deadline.

In March, the Supreme Court of India ordered the deadline for linking Aadhaar with various other services to be extended until it delivers its judgement on petitions challenging the validity of the Aadhaar biometric scheme.

Background

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued on a card by the Indian government to every individual resident of India.

The Finance Act 2017 made it mandatory to quote an Aadhaar number to file income tax returns (ITR) or to apply for or renew a PAN (Permanent Account Number).

Then, on 11th May 2017, the Indian Ministry of Finance issued a notification exempting certain taxpayers, including foreign nationals, from the requirement to submit an Aadhaar number when filing tax returns.

Currently, foreign nationals who have been resident in India for more than 182 days in the previous 12 months are advised to submit an Aadhaar number with their tax return, although this is not yet mandatory, and Aadhaar is intended to be a requirement for banking, mobile phone and other services.

Our Advice

Foreign nationals resident in India are advised to obtain an Aadhaar number and to link it to their PAN, bank, mobile phone and insurance accounts before the eventual deadline.

For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to India, please email us at [email protected].