The Income Tax Department (ITD) recently announced the launch of PAN 2.0, a significant upgrade to the existing Permanent Account Number (PAN) card system. This initiative aims to modernize taxpayer registration services, making them more user-friendly and efficient.
What is PAN 2.0?
PAN 2.0 is an e-governance project designed to enhance the quality of PAN services by leveraging modern technology. It consolidates all processes related to PAN allotment, updation, and correction under a single platform. Additionally, it integrates Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) services into the system.
Key Features of PAN 2.0:
- Unified Portal: All PAN/TAN related services, including allotment, updation, correction, online validation, Aadhaar-PAN linking, and e-PAN requests, will be accessible through a single ITD portal. This eliminates the need to navigate various platforms for different services.
- Paperless Processes: PAN 2.0 emphasizes eco-friendly, digital processes to minimize paperwork and streamline operations.
- Free PAN Issuance: Allotment and updation of PAN will be free of charge. The e-PAN will be delivered to the registered email address. However, a fee applies for requesting a physical card (domestic) or delivery outside India.
- Enhanced Security: Improved security measures, including a PAN Data Vault, ensure better protection of personal and demographic data.
- Dedicated Support: A dedicated call center and helpdesk will be available to address user queries and issues.
Benefits for Taxpayers:
- Faster Service Delivery: The streamlined processes aim to expedite PAN allotment and address grievances more swiftly.
- Simplified Management: The unified portal offers a one-stop shop for managing all PAN/TAN needs.
- Improved Data Security: Enhanced security features protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
- Convenience: Online accessibility facilitates easier application, updation, and validation of PAN details.
Addressing Common Questions:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PAN 2.0 Project by CBDT
Question 1
What is PAN 2.0?
PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project of ITD for re-engineering the business
processes of taxpayer registration services. The objective of the project is to enhance
the quality of PAN services through adoption of latest technology. Under this project ITD
is consolidating all processes related to PAN allotment/updation and corrections. The
TAN related services are also merged with this project. Besides, PAN
authentication/validation through online PAN validation service will be provided to user
agencies such as financial institutions, banks, government agencies, central and state
government departments etc.
Question 2
How PAN 2.0 will be different from existing setup?
i. Integration of Platforms: Presently, the PAN related services are hosted on three
different portals (e-Filing Portal, UTIITSL Portal and Protean e-Gov Portal). In the
PAN 2.0 Project, all PAN/TAN related services will be hosted on a single unified
portal of ITD. The said Portal would host all end-to-end services related to PAN and
TAN like allotment, updation, correction, Online PAN Validation (OPV), Know your
AO, AADHAAR-PAN linking, verify your PAN, request for e-PAN, request for re-print
of PAN card etc.
ii. Comprehensive use of technology for paperless processes: Complete online
paperless process as against prevailing mode
iii. Taxpayer facilitation: Allotment/updation/correction of PAN will be done free of cost
and e-PAN will be sent to the registered mail id. For physical PAN card, the applicant
has to make a request along with the prescribed fee of Rs 50 (domestic). For delivery
of card outside India, Rs. 15 + India post charges at actuals will be charged to the
applicant.
Question 3
(i) Whether existing PAN CARD Holders will be required to apply for new PAN
under the upgraded system?
(ii) Do you need to change your PAN number?
No. The existing PAN card holders are not required to apply for new PAN under the
upgraded system (PAN 2.0).
Question 4
Do people have an option to get corrections done on PAN, like name, spellings,
address change etc?
Yes. If existing PAN holders want to make any correction/updation of their existing PAN
details such as email, mobile or address or demographic details such as name, date of
birth etc., they can do so at free of cost after the PAN 2.0 Project commences. Till the
time the PAN 2.0 project is rolled-out, the PAN holders can avail the Aadhaar based
online facility for updation/correction of email, mobile and address free of cost by visiting
the below URLs:
In any other cases of updation/correction of PAN details, the holders can do so using the
existing process either by visiting physical centres or applying online on payment basis.
Question 5
Do I need to change my PAN card under the PAN 2.0?
No. The PAN card will not be changed unless the PAN holders want any
updation/correction. The existing valid PAN cards will continue to be valid under PAN
2.0.
Question 6
(i) A lot of people have not changed their addresses and are continuing with
old address. How will the new PAN be delivered?
(ii) By when will the new PAN Card get delivered?
No new PAN card will be delivered unless the PAN holder requests for it owing to any
updation/correction in their existing PAN. The PAN holders who want to update old
address, they can do so free of cost using Aadhaar based online facility by visiting the
below URLs:
Accordingly, the address will be updated in the PAN database.
Question 7
(i) If new PAN cards are QR code enabled, will older ones continue to function
as it is?
(ii) What will QR code help us with?
(i) The QR code is not a new feature, and it has been incorporated in the PAN
cards since 2017-18. The same will be continued under PAN 2.0 project with
enhancements (dynamic QR code which will display latest data present in
PAN database). PAN holders having an old PAN Card without QR code have
an option to apply for a new card with QR code in existing PAN 1.0 ecosystem as well as in the PAN 2.0.
(ii) The QR code helps in validating the PAN and PAN details.
(iii) Presently, a specific QR reader application is available for verification of QR
code details. On reading through the reader application, complete details, i.e.,
photo, signature, Name, Father’s Name / Mother’s Name and Date of Birth is
displayed.
Question 8
What is - the "Common Business identifier for all business-related activities in
specified sectors"?
In the Union Budget 2023, it was announced that for the business establishments
required to have a PAN, the PAN will be used as the common identifier for all digital
systems of specified government agencies
Question 9
Whether Common Business identifier will replace the existing unique taxpayer
identification number i.e. PAN?
No. PAN itself will be used as a Common Business identifier.
Question 10
What does the “Unified Portal” mean?
Presently, the PAN related services are hosted on three different portals. In the PAN
2.0 Project, all PAN/TAN related services will be hosted on a single unified portal of
ITD. The said Portal would host all end-to-end services related to PAN and TAN like
allotment, updation, correction, Online PAN Validation (OPV), Know your AO,
AADHAAR-PAN linking, verify your PAN, request for e-PAN, request for re-print of
PAN card etc., thereby further simplifying the processes, and avoiding delay in PAN
services delivery, delay in redressal of grievances etc. caused by the presence of
various modes of receipt of applications (online eKYC/online paper mode/offline).
Question 11
For people holding more than one pan, how will you identify and weed out the
extra PAN ?
As per the provisions of Income-tax Act, 1961, no person can hold more than one
PAN. In case a person holds more than one PAN, he/she is obliged to bring it to
notice of Jurisdictional Assessing officer and get the additional PAN deleted/deactivated.
In the PAN 2.0, with the improved systems logic for identification of potential
duplicate requests for PAN and centralized and enhanced mechanism for resolving
the duplicates would minimize the instances of one person holding more than one
PAN.