The income tax department has issued the FAQs on the PAN 2.0 project clarifying that taxpayers who already have a PAN need not apply for a new PAN. The PAN 2.0 project allows existing PAN card holders to make any correction and updation in PAN card details for free of cost after the project starts its operations.
PAN 2.0: New PAN card to have a QR code, will your current PAN card become inoperative?
The FAQs are released by the income tax department on November 26, 2024
Here are the FAQs issued by the income tax department to help the taxpayers.
1. Whether existing PAN card holders will be required to apply for a new PAN under the upgraded system? Do you need to change your PAN number?
No. The existing PAN card holders are not required to apply for a new PAN under the upgraded system (PAN 2.0).
2. Do I need to change my PAN card under PAN 2.0?
No. The PAN card will not be changed unless the PAN holders want any updation and correction. The existing valid PAN cards will continue to be valid under PAN 2.0.
3. For people holding more than one PAN, how will you identify and weed out 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 the notice of the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer and get the additional PAN deleted/de-activated. In the PAN 2.0 with the improved systems logic for identification of potential duplicate requests for PAN and centralised and enhanced mechanism for resolving the duplicates would minimize the instances of one person holding more than one PAN.
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4. Do people have an option to get corrections done on PAN, like name, spellings, address change, etc under PAN 2.0 project?
Yes, if existing PAN holders want to make any corrections/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 NSDL and UTIISL website.
5. A lot of people have not changed their address and are continuing with the old address. How will the new PAN be delivered? 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 and correction in their existing PAN. The PAN holders who want to update their old address can do so free of cost using an Aadhaar-based online facility by visiting the NSDL or UTIISL website.
6. If new PAN cards are QR code enabled, will older ones continue to function as it is? What will QR code help us with?
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 the PAN 2.0 project with enhancements (dynamic QR code which will display the latest data present in the 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 the existing PAN 1.0 ecosystem as well as in the PAN 2.0. The QR code helps in validating the PAN details.
7. What is PAN 2.0?
PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Goverance project of ITD for re-enginnering 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.
8. How will PAN 2.0 be different from the existing setup?
Integration of Platforms: Presently, the PAN related services are hosted on three different portals (e-filing portal, UTIISL 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.
Comprehensive use of technology for paperless processes: Complete online paperless process as against prevailing mode.
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 a physical PAN card, the applicant has to make a request along with the prescribed fee of Rs 50 (domestic). For delivery of cards outside India, Rs 15+India post charges at actuals will be charged to the applicant.
Siddharth Chandrashekhar, Advocate & Panel Counsel for CBIC & CBDT, says: “PAN 2.0 is the future Assessees deserve. With QR-code-enabled PAN cards, it offers secure, instant verification, slashing fraud risks. The all-digital process means no more paperwork drudgery—welcome to eco-friendly efficiency, saving both time and trees. By transforming PAN into a universal identifier, assessees can expect to get streamlined access to government services & improved compliance support. For small businesses and first-time taxpayers, this is a lifeline to cut through red tape and embrace formality effortlessly. PAN 2.0, prima facie appears set to tightens data accuracy across systems, reduces tax evasion, and pulls informal players into the tax net. It’s not just a tax reform; it’s the backbone of a business-friendly India. The project also aligns with Digital India, projecting a tech-savvy global image. Especially for millenials & Gen-Z, it could mean less friction and more transparency, for everyone ranging from freelancers to founders. PAN 2.0 isn’t just a card upgrade; it’s a digital handshake with the future.”
Chartered Accountant Bimal Jain, founder, A2Z Taxcorp LLP says: “While it is commendable that the government has taken the initiative to upgrade the exisitng system which will help taxpayers but at the same time there arises a need to have a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism and a helpdesk for PAN issues, which CBDT clarified it would create. I believe the new PAN 2.0 can help eliminate fraudulent usage of PANs and duplicate PANs. There are many security features embedded in PAN 2.0 like a QR code and others.”
Key features of PAN 2.0
According to the press release dated November 26, 2024 here are the key features of PAN 2.0:
- A single portal for all PAN/TAN-related services to simplify access for users.
- Eco-friendly paperless processes to reduce paperwork.
- PAN will be issued free of cost, with quicker processing times.
- Personal and demographic data will be protected through enhanced security measures, including a PAN data vault.
- A dedicated call centre and helpdesk to address user queries and issues.
“This upgrade is designed to enhance the overall experience for taxpayers by ensuring faster service delivery, effective grievance redressal and better protection of sensitive data. The project will also make it easier for users to apply for PAN/TAN online, update their details and validate PAN information digitally. By consolidating and re-engineering these processes, the Income Tax Department has taken a significant move towards creating a seamless, transparent, and inclusive system for taxpayers,” said CBDT in the press release.
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