(This article is authored by Alar) 

After several deferments for a penalty-free PAN-Aadhaar linkage, the Central government has locked the last date for the linkage as June 30 - Thursday and any process of linking the PAN- Aadhaar after the deadline would be imposing a penalty on the people. On Thursday, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) doubled the penalty amount for not linking the cards during the stipulated deadline. 

From July 1, the individuals will have to pay Rs 1000 as a penalty for linking the PAN-Aadhaar. According to reports, in case an individual links PAN with their 12-digital unique UIDAI number on June 30, they would have to pay Rs 500, the earlier penalty. The CBDT has fixed the deadline to link the PAN- Aadhaar to March 31, 2022, which was later deferred to June 30 with a fine of Rs 500. 

In its order, CBDT said, "Every person who, in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 139AA, is required to intimate his Aadhaar number to the prescribed authority in the prescribed form and manner, fails to do so by the date referred to in the said sub-section, shall, at the time of subsequent intimation of his Aadhaar number to the prescribed authority, be liable to pay, by way of fee, an amount equal to, — (a) five hundred rupees, in a case where such intimation is made within three months from the date referred to in sub-section (2) of section 139AA; and (b) one thousand rupees, in all other cases,” 

It has been reported that the PAN will become inoperative if an individual fails to link it with the Aadhaar by March 31, 2023. It is noteworthy that the Income Tax Department has announced that the PAN number will not be able to be used for anything after that deadline. Also according to the board, the late linkers have to wait 4-5 days after paying the penalty. 

Linking PAN with Aadhaar: 

• Visit - www.incometax.gov.in
• Choose the 'Link Aadhaar' option under quick links 
• Enter PAN card details, Aadhaar card details, name, and registered mobile number
• Select the 'I validate my Aadhaar details' option and click 'Continue'.
• A One-time password will be sent and after paying the penalty, Aadhaar will be linked.