TDS PAN CARD INOPERATIVE

A user received a TDS demand notice due to their vendor's PAN card being flagged as inoperative at the time of deduction, despite the vendor claiming it's active. The Income Tax department insists the demand is payable. The user is seeking advice on how to determine the exact date the PAN and Aadhaar were linked to prove it was operative before the TDS deduction, and how to address the situation where the vendor's error may cause an undue tax burden.