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A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a mandatory document for individuals who earn income and conduct financial transactions in India. The Income Tax Department issues the PAN card and is one of the most widely used documents for opening bank accounts, filing tax returns, and conducting critical financial transactions.
To apply for the card, applicants must provide proof of identity, address, and date of birth. This comprehensive guide outlines the documents required for PAN Card applications across various categories, including individuals applying online, minors, students, and foreign nationals.
Applicants must submit the relevant documents for the PAN Card application, including proof of identity, address, and date of birth, before the application process can be finalised.
The documents needed for applying for a PAN Card in each category are as follows:
| Identity proof | Voter ID card, Driving licence, Aadhaar card, Passport, Arms licence, Certificate of identity signed by a Member of Parliament/Member of Legislative Assembly/Municipal Councillor, Photo identity card issued by the government, and Pensioner card with photograph. |
| Address proof | Aadhaar card, Driving licence, Passport (applicant or spouse), Ration card with photo, recent Electricity bill, recent Landline telephone bill, recent Broadband connection bill, Bank account statement, Post office passbook with address, Credit card statement, Central government health scheme card, Domicile certificate issued by government, Certificate of domicile, Allotment letter, and recent Property tax assessment order. |
| Date of birth proof | Birth certificate issued by a Local Body, Passport, Aadhaar card, Driving licence, Matriculation certificate, Marriage certificate issued by Registrar of Marriages, Affidavit executed before a magistrate and stating the date of birth. |
These documents must be authenticated by the Income Tax Department when filing the PAN card application.
At the time of PAN card filing in India, foreigners, non-resident Indians, and Hindu Undivided Families are subject to specific documentation requirements, which the establishment must comply with for verification of identity, address, and date of birth.
The following are the group-wise documents accepted for this purpose:
| Identity proof | Passport, Voter ID card, Aadhaar card, Driving licence, or a Photo identity card issued by the Central Government or State Government of India. |
| Address proof | Passport, Driving licence, Aadhaar card, Ration card, Post office passbook containing a clear address of the applicant, or Certificate of domicile. |
| Date of birth proof | Passport, Voter ID card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, Driving licence, Matriculation certificate, Birth certificate, or Pensioner card. |
Foreign applicants should provide these documents while applying for a PAN card in India. This is the method by which the Income Tax Department can accurately ascertain the date of birth, residence, and identity of the applicant.
For a PAN card, a company or corporation will need to supply certain documentation, as per their legal status, so that identification and authentication are properly completed.
Here are the documentation requirements:
| Indian association of persons (Trust) | Trust Deed, or Certificate of Registration Number from the Charity Commissioner. |
| Indian firm | Certificate of Registration from the Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships/Firms, or the Partnership Deed. |
| Indian registered company | Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar of Companies. |
| Foreign-registered company | Registration Certificate from an Indian authority, a sanction to open an office in India, or a Registration Certificate from the country of the applicant (either apostilled or attested by the Indian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate). |
| Foreign-registered firm, foreign association of persons (Trust), other foreign entities | These are the same as the requirements for a foreign-registered company. |
These document standards confirm that all the entities are identically and duly checked against the regulatory guidelines.
When students and minors apply for a PAN card, they must submit specific documents to verify their identity and address.
| Documentation for accepted proof of address | Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence, last three months' bank account statement, voter ID card, electricity, gas, or telephone bills, government-issued domicile certificate, original address certificate issued by a Gazetted officer or MLA, and a signed or recent letter of allotment of accommodation by the Central or State Government. |
| Documents accepted as proof of identity | Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence, voter's ID card, ration card, attested original identity certificate by a Gazetted officer or MLA, or bank certificate from the branch manager. |
It is essential to submit the proper documents for a flawless and successful application for a PAN card for children and students.
A Trust or an Association of Persons is a legal entity established to manage the properties of specified beneficiaries. The structure is based on the trust's goals and objectives.
For Indian Trusts, the primary documents are the Trust Deed and the Certificate of Registration Number issued by the Charity Commissioner.
When applying for a PAN card, these documents are submitted, thereby enabling the trust to obtain its legal status and be registered with the relevant authorities.
The primary way to avoid issues when applying for a PAN card is to provide the correct documents. Whether it is an individual, a student, a minor, a non-resident Indian, a company, or a trust, in all cases, the Identity, Address, and Date of Birth proofs must be submitted to the Income Tax Department for confirmation.
Knowing the proper documents for each category will not only help you avoid delays but also make sure that you are following the regulations. If these documents are submitted correctly and on time, it facilitates the smooth issuance of the PAN card, which is the centre for easy financial and legal transactions.
Also Read: What is a Savings Account and how does it work?
How much does it cost to apply for a PAN Card?
Applying for a PAN card incurs a fee of ₹107 (including GST) for those applicants whose communication address is in India. The cost for overseas applicants is approximately ₹1017 (including GST). However, the fees vary depending on the mode of application.
Can a company apply for a PAN Card?
Indeed, firms are also permitted to obtain a PAN card. Actually, it's a requirement imposed by the authorities on companies to comply with tax returns filing obligations, financial transactions, and maintain tax compliance.
Am I required to submit my original documents for PAN?
No, the original documents are not necessary at the time of the PAN application. The applicants are required to submit self-attested copies of proof of identity, address, and date of birth.
Can a student get a PAN Card?
Students are allowed to get a PAN. They must present the required documents for their identity, residence, and date of birth, following the given instructions.
Whom should I contact if I have queries related to PAN Card documents?
If you have any questions about PAN card documentation, you can either call the NSDL or UTIITSL helplines or check the official website of the Income Tax Department for guidance.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational purposes. The views expressed in this article are personal. Axis Bank and/or the author shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader arising from reliance on the content herein. Readers are advised to consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions. Axis Bank does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any third-party content or links included in this article.
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