Mandatory Quoting of PAN and TAN on TDS Certificate for AY: 2014-15

Section 203A of the Act makes it obligatory for all persons responsible for deducting tax at source to obtain and quote the Tax deduction and collection Account No (TAN) in the challans, TDS-certificates, statements and other documents. Detailed instructions in this regard are available in the department’s Circular No.497 [F.No.275/118/ 87-IT(B) dated 9.10.1987]. If a person fails to comply with the provisions of section 203A, he will be liable to pay, by way of penalty, under section 272BB, a sum of ten thousand rupees. Similarly, as per Section 139A(5B), it is obligatory for persons deducting tax at source to quote PAN of the persons from whose income tax has been deducted in the statement furnished u/s 192(2C), certificates furnished u/s 203 and all statements prepared and delivered as per the provisions of section 200(3) of the Act.

All tax deductors are required to file the TDS statements in Form No.24Q (for tax deducted from salaries). As the requirement of filing TDS certificates alongwith the return of income has been done away with, the lack of PAN of deductees is creating difficulties in giving credit for the tax deducted. Tax deductors are, therefore, advised to procure and quote correct PAN details of all deductees in the TDS statements for salaries in Form 24Q. Taxpayers are also liable to furnish their correct PAN to their deductors. Non-furnishing of PAN by the deductee (employee) to the deductor (employer) will result in deduction of TDS at higher rates u/s 206AA of the Act.

Compulsory Requirement to furnish PAN by employee (Section 206AA):

Section 206AA in the Act makes furnishing of PAN by the employee compulsory in case of receipt of any sum or income or amount, on which tax is deductible. If employee (deductee) fails to furnish his/her PAN to the deductor , the deductor has been made responsible to make TDS at higher of the following rates:

1. at the rate specified in the relevant provision of this Act; or
2. at the rate or rates in force; or
3. at the rate of twenty per cent.

The deductor has to determine the tax amount in all the three conditions and apply the higher rate of TDS. However, where the  ncome of the employee computed for TDS u/s 192 is below taxable limit, no tax will be deducted. But where the income of the employee computed for TDS u/s 192 is above taxable limit, the deductor will calculate the average rate of income-tax based on rates in force as provided in sec 192. If the tax so calculated is below 20%, deduction of tax will be made at the rate of 20% and in case the average rate exceeds 20%, tax is to deducted at the average rate. Education cess @ 2% and Secondary and Higher Education Cess @ 1% is not to be deducted, in case the tax is deducted at 20% u/s 206AA of the Act.