What do you do when you lose something from your wallet? Your immediate reaction is to panic. The same goes with losing your PAN card, it can be a worrisome situation, but there's no need to panic. Applying for a duplicate PAN card is a simple and convenient process, whether it’s a credit or debit card, after looking for it is to cancel it and get a new one.
A Permanent Account Number or PAN is a ten-digit unique alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department to taxable entities. Taxable entities may be a person like you, a company or a firm, a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) or a charitable trust.
PAN was introduced to identify each taxpayer and prevent tax evasion uniquely. To further authenticate the process, the mandatory linking of PAN to Aadhaar and of these documents to your bank account was introduced.
You need a PAN card for the following:
Now, when your PAN is linked to all these instruments related to your income and investments, it becomes easier for income tax officials to track your sources of income. By doing this in a comprehensive manner, they can calculate your income tax implications.
Losing your PAN card is not Iike losing a banking card where someone can withdraw money from your bank account. But there are a few ways your PAN card can be misused if found by someone.
All your important personal information is linked to your PAN card. If someone misuses your PAN data, they can access your bank account, phone number and address. They can also get your income details, insurance coverage, investments as well as employer information which might lead to more serious fraud.
Your PAN card information can also be used by someone to borrow in your name and put your credit records and finances at risk. Even with hard enquiries and no borrowing, your credit score can plummet. This can lead to financial losses and an impact on your borrowing ability.
PAN card details are also required for buying and redeeming investments like physical gold. As per the income tax rules, you must furnish PAN details for any transaction above ₹2 lakhs on physical gold. Further, you can also be a victim of identity theft and make fraud contacts on your behalf asking for money.
There are ways you can check if your PAN details are being misused.
Losing your PAN card can be as risky as losing your banking cards. Let’s look at the actions to follow if you have lost your PAN card.
Your PAN card contains important information about you. This information may be abused if it falls in the hands of another person. They may also use it to impersonate you while performing financial transactions. Hence, it is a good idea to file an FIR for losing your PAN card at the nearest police station.
If you lose, misplace or damage your PAN card and file an application for issuing a new PAN card with a new PAN, information about your previous financial transactions may be lost. Also, having two PANs for a single legal entity or person is not allowed, however you can apply for a duplicate.
Follow these steps to complete your duplicate PAN card application:
If you have chosen the physical PAN card option, a duplicate PAN card will be mailed to your address.
Follow these steps to download your lost PAN card:
The fees for applying for a duplicate PAN card from the UTIITSL website is ₹50 including delivery within India and ₹959 including delivery outside India. The fee for reprinting the PAN card is ₹50, including taxes.
In conclusion, losing your PAN card can be a cause for concern, but there's no need to panic. Applying for a duplicate PAN card is a straightforward process that ensures you maintain your financial records and avoid potential misuse of your personal information. By filing an FIR and opting for a duplicate card instead of applying for a new PAN, you can safeguard your financial transactions and prevent the risk of having multiple PANs. The application process, whether for a physical or e-PAN card, is convenient and can be completed online. Additionally, checking for any misuse of your PAN details and taking necessary precautions can help protect your credit score and financial well-being.
If you have lost your PAN card, you cannot directly track its location. However, you can track the status of your duplicate PAN card application online through the TIN-NSDL website using your token number or acknowledgement number.
Yes, you can reprint a lost PAN card. You can apply for a reprint of your PAN card online through the TIN-NSDL website or the UTIITSL website by following the specified process.