Many are surprised to know that you can instantly download your PAN card using the e-filing portal of the Income Tax Department (ITD). With this portal, you can view options like e-Filing PAN Card Download, Generate New e-PAN and more. 

We can get to the nitty-gritty of downloading your e-PAN card, but let us first tell you what e-PAN or instant e-PAN is. ‍

What is Instant e-PAN?‍

If you are an individual taxpayer and don’t have a PAN but have an Aadhaar, you can avail of the instant e-PAN service. 

On the e-filing portal, you can do the following: ‍‍

1. Get Free e-PAN ‍

On the e-filing website, you can get an e-PAN by filling in your Aadhaar number and registered mobile number. You can also update your PAN card details as well as get a new e-PAN card with your Aadhaar e-KYC. ‍

2. Create An e-Filing Account ‍

Once you have generated your e-PAN or updated your PAN details, you can use it to create an e-filing account. This account helps you file your income tax returns.‍

3. Check e-Filing PAN Status‍

Have you made your e-PAN request? You can check your pending request through the e-filing website. Many file their tax returns with their PAN once they discover the e-filing website. 

Next, let’s see the requirements to generate e-PAN using this website:‍

Who is Eligible for the e-Filing PAN Card Service? ‍

• You must be an individual taxpayer, not a HUF, firm or entity
• You must not have been allotted a PAN
• You should have a valid Aadhaar card
• Your mobile number linked to your Aadhaar should also be valid‍

‍Who Cannot Avail of the e-Filing PAN Card Service? ‍

• Taxpayers other than individuals
• Those who don’t have an Aadhaar card or valid mobile number linked to it
• Minors, as of the date of request
• Representative assessees defined under section 160 of the Income Tax Act

Are you eligible for e-filing according to the prerequisites mentioned above? If yes, let’s proceed to generate your instant e-PAN card.

‍How to Download an e-PAN Card Using e-Filing‍

Follow these steps to generate an instant e-PAN:

1. Visit the e-Filing website and go to the homepage
2. On the left-hand corner, check the quick links
3. Click the ‘Instant E-PAN’ link, and you will be taken to the e-PAN page
4. Click on the ‘Get New E-PAN’ link
5. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, confirm the details and click Continue
6. If you already have a valid PAN linked to your Aadhaar, you will see ‘Entered Aadhaar number is already linked with PAN’ on your screen 

If your Aadhaar or the linked mobile number is invalid, you will see this message ‘Entered Aadhaar Number is not linked with an active mobile number’.

1. If your details are valid and you generate your PAN for the first time, you will be redirected to the OTP validation page.
2. Read the terms and conditions and tick on the declaration below the page and continue.
3. On the next page, enter the OTP you received on your mobile number, tick on the ‘I accept that …” checkbox and continue. 

Please note that:‍

• Your OTP will only be valid for 15 minutes. You can check the OTP expiry countdown timer on the screen to see the time remaining 
• You will only get three attempts to enter your correct OTP
• You can click ‘Resend OTP’ to generate a new one-time password
• All the details you entered for your Aadhaar, including your photo, name, phone number, email address, date of birth, gender and address, will appear on the screen. 
  

If your email address linked to your Aadhaar is not validated, you can validate it at this step with the OTP received on your mobile number.

1. Tick on the “I accept that...” checkbox and click on Continue
2. Your application for instant e-PAN is successful, and you will receive an acknowledgement number for the same
3. Save your acknowledgement number for future reference
4. You will receive your e-PAN shortly
   

How to Update PAN Card Information‍

You can update your PAN details by following these steps: 

1. On the e-filing website, click ‘Instant e-PAN’
2. On the e-PAN page, click on the ‘Update PAN’ link. You will be diverted to the ‘Update Status / Download PAN’ page. 
3. Enter your Aadhaar number and continue
4. On the OTP validation page, enter the OTP, click the “I agree to...” checkbox and continue
5. The OTP rules here will be the same as for generating a new e-PAN 
6. Once your OTP is validated, you will see your PAN and Aadhaar eKYC details beside each other
7. Check the details that don’t match, and select the details you wish to update
8. Click the declaration checkbox and continue
9. Check the selected details on the ‘Confirm the details you want to update’ pop-up and click on ‘Confirm’

On the confirmation screen, you will get the acknowledgement number for your update request. Save this number for future reference and regularly check the status of your e-PAN.

How to Check Status of PAN & Download‍

Once your e-PAN generation or updation is approved, you can download your instant e-PAN card. 

Here are the steps to download your e-PAN:

1. Visit the instant e-PAN link on the e-filing website
2. Click the ‘Check Status/Download PAN’ continue link
3. Enter your Aadhaar number, verify with the OTP and continue
4. Your current e-PAN status and download link will appear
5. Download your e-PAN card on your system
   

That was really instant, wasn’t it? All you need to do is keep your Aadhaar card and my mobile beside you while generating and updating your instant e-PAN. The best part is you don’t have to refer to or upload any additional documents for your e-PAN. And it is free of cost. 

You can also download your instant e-PAN through the UTIITSL or the NSDL portal if you have already applied for a new card or update. Let’s look at the process of downloading your e-PAN via UTIITSL and NSDL. ‍

e-PAN Card Download via UTIITSL‍

Follow these steps to download e-PAN via UTIITSL: 

1. Visit the UTIITSL e-PAN card download facility page
2. Enter details like your PAN number and date of birth
3. Verify the captcha and submit
   

If you have made the application for a new or updated PAN card within the last 30 days, you can download the e-PAN card for free. However, if your application period has passed 30 days, you can still download your e-PAN at a nominal fee of ₹8.26 against every PDF download.

1. If applicable, make payment for the e-PAN card
2. Your e-PAN will be shared on your registered email address
   

e-PAN Card Download via NSDL 

The process to download your e-PAN card with NSDL is also similar. Here are the steps: 

1. Visit the NSDL Download e-PAN card page
2. Enter your PAN application acknowledgement number or PAN
3. Enter your date of birth and Aadhaar number (if you already have PAN)
4. Verify the captcha and submit

If your PAN allotment or update confirmation date was within the last 30 days, you could download your instant e-PAN three times for free. Otherwise, you will have to pay a fee of ₹8.26. If applicable, make your payment to download your e-PAN. 

Received your instant e-PAN card? Now, you can open a Fi account and start saving for your goals with the Fi Money app. The Fi Money app offers features like Jar (saving through deposits) and SIP (investing) to help you with your financial goals. Check out the Fi Money app now!‍

‍‍Conclusion‍

Generating an e-PAN card or updating information on your PAN with Aadhaar eKYC is instant and simple. e-Filing helps you get your PAN free of cost. Moreover, the e-filing portal lets you link your Aadhaar with your PAN and file your taxes. As your PAN is central to all your tax details, the e-filing website complements it with the facility to file taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I download my ePAN?

Yes, if your PAN applications is submitted to Protean e-Gov, and younew r PAN is alloted or changes are confirmed, you can download the e-PAN for free three times. As long as the changes or allottment has happened in the last 30 days, you should be able to access your e-PAN for downloading.

2. How do I open an ePAN PDF?

The password to open your ePAn PDF will be  your Date of Birth / Date of Incorporation as mentioned in your PAN application form in the format DDMMYYYY.