PAN card fees & charges: A complete guide

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is an essential identity document issued by the Income Tax Department of India. Understanding the various PAN card fees and charges is crucial before initiating your application.

These charges cover the processing costs, GST, and, in some cases, dispatch expenses. The cost for applying PAN card also differs for Indian residents and foreign nationals or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

Before you apply for PAN card charges, it's essential to know that the payment methods available include credit/debit cards, net banking, and demand drafts. So, let's understand the underlying fee for applying for a PAN card and how you can pay it.

What are the fees for a PAN card?

The PAN card fee structure varies depending on whether you're applying as an Indian resident or a foreign national and your preferred application method:

For Indian citizens/residents:

• Physical PAN card (online): ₹101 (including 18% GST) if applying online through a paperless mode.
• Physical PAN card (centre/in-person): ₹107 if application is submitted at PAN centres/TIN facilitation centres or online application with in-person submission.
• e-PAN (electronic version): ₹66 (including GST) for paperless online applications.
  ₹72 (including GST) if applying at centres or online with in-person submission.

For first-time applicants, understanding these charges for a PAN card is crucial to avoid unexpected costs. Additionally, if you're looking for a free alternative, you can apply for an instant e-PAN using Aadhaar authentication on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal at no cost.

PAN card fees and charges for citizens outside the country

Foreign nationals and non-resident Indians (NRIs) need to pay a higher PAN card fee due to additional dispatch charges for international delivery. This PAN application fee is as follows:

• Physical PAN card: ₹1011 (including 18% GST) for completely online paperless applications. If applying at PAN centres/TIN facilitation centres or online with physical document submission, it is ₹1017 (including 18% GST).
• e-PAN (electronic version): ₹66 (including GST) for paperless online applications. If applying at centres or online with physical document submission, it is ₹72 (including GST).

The significant difference in the cost for applying PAN card between residents and non-residents primarily stems from the international dispatch charges. When you apply for PAN card charges from abroad, you'll need to consider potential additional bank charges for international transactions, including currency conversion fees and payment gateway charges.

Fees and charges for reprint/changes in PAN card in India

If you need to update information on your existing PAN card or request a duplicate due to loss or damage, different charges for PAN card apply:

For corrections or updates (name, date of birth, address, etc.):

• Indian residents: ₹101 (including 18% GST).
• Foreign/NRI applicants: ₹1020 (including 18% GST).

For duplicate/reprinted PAN card (without changes to details):

• For delivery to an Indian address: ₹50 (including GST).
• For delivery to a foreign address: ₹959 (including GST).

These PAN card fees cover the administrative costs of processing your request and dispatching the updated or duplicate card to your specified address.

The PAN card application fees for corrections are similar to those for new applications, reflecting the processing costs involved in verifying and updating your information in the PAN database.

How to pay PAN card application fees?

When paying the PAN card fees, several payment options are available.

For Indian Residents:

• Credit/debit cards (attracts an additional charge of 2% of fees)
• Net banking (attracts an additional ₹4 plus taxes as payment gateway fee)
• Demand draft in favour of "NSDL-PAN" payable at Mumbai

For foreign/NRI applicants:

• Credit/debit cards (with additional 2% charge plus foreign currency conversion fees).
• Demand draft in favour of "NSDL-PAN" payable at Mumbai.

When calculating your total expenditure, factor in the additional charges beyond the base fees for applying PAN card to avoid surprises during the payment process.

Who has the authority to cover PAN card fees for others?

The Income Tax Department has specific guidelines regarding who can pay the fees for applying PAN card on behalf of others:

• Individual applicants: The applicant or immediate family members.
• Hindu undivided family (HUF): Only the Karta of the HUF.
• Companies/firms: Any director or partner of the company/firm.
• Trusts/associations: Only an authorised signatory as per the Income Tax Act.

This regulation ensures proper accountability and prevents unauthorised applications while still allowing flexibility for genuine cases where the applicant might need assistance with payment.

Reasons for denial of PAN card and refunds

Your PAN card application might be rejected for various reasons, including:

• Incomplete or incorrect information.
• Discrepancies in submitted documents.
• Non-adherence to application instructions.
• Duplicate PAN application.

It's crucial to note that there is no provision for the refund of PAN card fees if your application is rejected due to applicant-induced discrepancies. If your application is denied, you'll need to submit a fresh application with the required corrections, along with the applicable charges for PAN card again.

This no-refund policy makes it essential to ensure all details and documents are accurate before submitting your application.

Also Read: PAN Aadhaar link penalty

Conclusion

Understanding the complete structure of PAN card fees is essential before initiating your application process. The cost for applying PAN card varies based on your residential status, application method, and whether you need a physical card or an electronic version.

For Indian residents, the fees for applying for a PAN card range from ₹ 66 to ₹107, while foreign nationals may pay up to ₹1017 due to international dispatch charges. Once paid, the PAN card application fees are non-refundable, emphasising the importance of accurate applications.

Remember that there are no refunds for rejected applications, so accuracy is paramount when submitting your details. By choosing the right application method and understanding all associated PAN card application fees, you can obtain this essential document efficiently and economically.

With Axis Bank, updating your PAN details in your bank account is an easy process. The bank offers multiple channels for this purpose, including internet banking, SMS, mobile app, and branch visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of the e-PAN download?

The e-PAN download through Aadhaar authentication on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal is free of cost. However, if you apply through NSDL or UTIITSL, the cost for applying for a PAN card in e-PAN format is ₹66 (including GST) for completely online applications and ₹72 (including GST) if applying at centres or online with physical document submission.

Is the PAN card fee refundable?

The fee for applying PAN card is not refundable if your application is rejected due to discrepancies or incomplete information provided by you. You would need to submit a fresh application with the required corrections, along with the applicable fees for applying PAN card again.

What are the accepted payment methods for foreigners applying for PAN cards?

Foreigners applying for PAN cards can pay the charges for PAN cards using:

• International credit/debit cards (with an additional 2% charge plus foreign currency conversion fees).
• Demand draft in favour of "NSDL-PAN" payable at Mumbai.

Are there any additional fees for applying for PAN online?

There are additional gateway charges when you apply for PAN card online. Using credit/debit cards attracts an additional charge of 2% of the PAN card fees, while net banking incurs an additional ₹4 plus taxes as a payment gateway fee. These charges are over and above the standard fee for applying PAN card.

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.