The Income Tax Department has updated the PAN registration process on its official portal, making Aadhaar-based OTP verification mandatory for all individuals registering their Permanent Account Number (PAN) online.
As per the new process, users must ensure their Aadhaar is linked with a valid mobile number to receive the One-Time Password (OTP) during registration. Without this Aadhaar OTP verification, PAN registration on the Income Tax Department (ITD) portal cannot proceed.
What's New in the PAN Registration Process?
During the registration process, individuals are now prompted to:
- Agree to UIDAI database validation, granting permission to access their Aadhaar-linked information.
- Enter the OTP received on their Aadhaar-registered mobile number to authenticate their identity.
This change ensures a higher level of security and identity verification, aligning with the government's push for seamless integration of Aadhaar across various financial and administrative systems.
Why Is Aadhaar OTP Verification Important?
- Enhanced Security: Reduces the chances of fake or fraudulent PAN registrations.
- Streamlined Process: Faster validation and linking of PAN with Aadhaar.
- Mandatory Compliance: PAN-Aadhaar linking is now a legal requirement under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act.
Key Takeaways for Taxpayers
- Make sure your Aadhaar is linked to a mobile number that is currently active.
- If your mobile number is not linked with Aadhaar, visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update it before attempting PAN registration.
- This Aadhaar OTP step is now non-negotiable for completing the PAN user registration process on the www.incometax.gov.in portal.
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