Inter-changeability of PAN and Aadhaar for filing returns

Existing sub-section (1) of section 139A of the Act, inter alia, provides that every person specified therein, who has not been allotted a PAN, shall apply to the Assessing Officer for allotment of PAN. It has been observed that in many cases persons entering into high value transactions, such as purchase of foreign currency or huge withdrawal from the banks, do not possess a PAN. In order to keep an audit trail of such transactions, for widening and deepening of the tax base, it is proposed to insert a new clause (vii) in the aforesaid sub-section so as to provide that every person, who intends to enter into certain prescribed transactions and has not been alloted a PAN, shall also apply for allotment of a PAN. To ensure ease of compliance, it is also proposed to provide for inter-changeability of PAN with the Aadhaar number. Accordingly the provisions of section 139A are proposed to be amended so as to provide that,- (i) every person who is required to furnish or intimate or quote his PAN under the Act, and who, has not been allotted a PAN but possesses the Aadhaar number, may furnish or intimate or quote his Aadhaar number in lieu of PAN, and such person shall be allotted a PAN in the prescribed manner; (ii) every person who has been allotted a PAN, and who has linked his Aadhaar number under section 139AA, may furnish or intimate or quote his Aadhaar number in lieu of a PAN. Section 139A, inter alia, provides that every person, receiving a document relating to a transaction for which PAN is required to be quoted shall ensure that the PAN has been duly quoted therein. It is proposed to provide that every person receiving such documents shall also ensure that the PAN or the Aadhaar number, as the case may be, has been duly quoted. A new sub-section (6A) is also proposed to be inserted to ensure quoting of PAN or Aadhaar number for entering into prescribed transactions and authontication thereof in the prescribed manner. Duty is also proposed to be cast upon the person receiving any document relating to such transactions, through newly proposed sub-section (6B), to ensure that PAN or Aadhaar number, as the case may be, is duly quoted, and authenticated. In order to ensure proper compliance of the provisions relating to quoting and authentication of PAN or Aadhaar, the penalty provision contained in section 272B is proposed to be amended suitably. These amendments will take effect from 1st September, 2019. [Clauses 40 & 64]