December 28: PAN-Aadhaar – 3 Days Left to Avoid Higher TDS, KYC Blocks
Pan Aadhaar link status matters now with only three days left before the 31 December 2025 deadline. From 1 January 2026, unlinked PANs turn inoperative, which can trigger higher TDS/TCS, refund delays, and KYC blocks for trading and mutual funds. We outline how to check aadhaar pan link status, pay the Rs 1000 late fee, and link pan with aadhaar today. Act early because payment reflection can take up to 72 hours, and year-end bank downtimes can slow processing.
Why the December 31 deadline matters
If your PAN is still unlinked on 1 January 2026, it will be treated as inoperative. Deductors may apply higher TDS/TCS under sections 206AA and 206CC. Income tax refunds can remain on hold until the PAN becomes operative again. This can disrupt cash flows for salaried users, senior citizens with FDs, and active traders who rely on timely payouts.
Brokers, KRAs, and AMCs rely on an operative PAN to complete KYC. If the PAN is inoperative, onboarding, trading, SIP registrations, and redemptions can be blocked. Many platforms may restrict new orders until the PAN is reactivated, which can cause missed market moves and liquidity issues at the start of the new year.
Limited statutory exemptions exist, such as some NRIs and specific categories notified by CBDT. Most resident taxpayers must complete linking. Review official guidance and recent reminders covered by Times of India Aadhaar–PAN linking deadline and Rs 1,000 penalty to assess applicability and avoid assumptions.
How to check your status today
Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal and use the Quick Links option for Link Aadhaar Status. Enter PAN and Aadhaar to view your pan aadhaar link status instantly. If it shows not linked, proceed to payment and linking right away. Take a screenshot of the status page and keep it with your challan for records and any future queries.
If you cannot recall your PAN, use the department’s retrieval and validation services or apply for instant e-PAN using Aadhaar. Economic Times explains practical options in its guide on pan aadhaar link status for users who forgot PAN. Resolve this before paying the fee to avoid incorrect challans or failed linkage.
Status may show linked, not linked, pending verification, or failed due to demographic mismatch. Pending verification often clears after payment reflection or OTP validation. Failed status usually needs data correction in Aadhaar or PAN records. Recheck after 48 to 72 hours, then raise a ticket if there is no change despite correct details and successful payment.
Steps to finish linking and pay the fee
Use the e-filing portal’s e-Pay Tax option to pay the Rs 1,000 late fee. Choose the correct payment head for Aadhaar–PAN linking and pay via net banking, UPI, or cards. Save the challan. Payment can take up to 2 to 4 days to reflect during year-end, so complete it today to meet the deadline.
After the fee reflects, use the Link Aadhaar option in your profile. Confirm name, date of birth, and gender match across both databases. Complete OTP verification on the Aadhaar-linked mobile. You should receive an acknowledgement on the portal. Keep the acknowledgement with the challan for audit trails and to support any status escalation.
If there is a name or date of birth mismatch, update the incorrect record first. Aadhaar updates happen via UIDAI channels, while PAN corrections are processed by authorised service providers. Retry linking after the update is approved. If payment is successful but status is stuck, raise an e-Nivaran ticket with screenshots and the challan reference.
Practical tips for investors in India
List all accounts where tax may be deducted or collected: salary, interest, FDs, dividends, brokerages, and mutual funds. Ensure each institution has your correct PAN. Inform HR and your bank about any recent PAN changes. This can reduce the chance of higher TDS/TCS being applied by mistake in early January.
Store the payment challan number, status screenshots, and acknowledgement emails. Set reminders to recheck status after 48 to 72 hours. If still pending, contact support through the portal and your broker or AMC. Clear records make it faster to resolve KYC blocks, release payouts, and correct any erroneous higher deduction entries.
If you miss the date, complete linking in January to restore operability. Higher TDS suffered may be claimable in your income tax return, but cash flow impact can be significant. Pause new SIPs only if necessary and keep emergency liquidity ready. Update your KYC as soon as the status turns operative to resume normal activity.
Final Thoughts
We have three days to act. Check your pan aadhaar link status on the e-filing portal, pay the Rs 1,000 late fee through e-Pay Tax, and submit the linking request with OTP verification. Save the challan and acknowledgement, then recheck after 48 to 72 hours. If there is a mismatch, fix Aadhaar or PAN data first, then retry. Missing the 31 December 2025 cut-off can mean higher TDS/TCS, refund holds, and blocked trading or redemptions in early January. Acting today protects cash flows, avoids KYC disruption, and keeps your investing plan on track.
FAQs
From 1 January 2026, your PAN becomes inoperative. Deductors may apply higher TDS/TCS, refunds can be held, and KYC-dependent services like trading or mutual funds may be blocked. Link soon after to restore operability. You can later claim excess TDS in your return, but cash flow can suffer.
Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal and use the Link Aadhaar Status option under Quick Links. Enter PAN and Aadhaar to view the result. If unlinked, pay the Rs 1,000 fee via e-Pay Tax, then submit the linking request and complete OTP verification. Keep screenshots for reference.
Use e-Pay Tax on the e-filing portal and select the Aadhaar–PAN linking fee. Pay via net banking, UPI, or card and save the challan. Reflection may take 48 to 72 hours, longer around year-end. Recheck status after it reflects, then complete the linking with OTP verification.
They may restrict onboarding, trading, SIPs, and redemptions until PAN becomes operative. KRAs and AMCs require an operative PAN for KYC. Once linking is complete and status updates, services typically resume. Share your acknowledgement with the platform if they ask for proof during the interim.
Limited exemptions exist, such as certain NRIs and specific categories notified by CBDT. Most resident taxpayers must link. Check the e-filing portal for your status and review recent official guidance. If you believe you qualify, retain documents that prove eligibility and confirm with your tax advisor.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
