Aadhaar-PAN linking: The taxman has set a due date of September 30 for assessees to link the two numbers

An Aadhaar number can be linked with a Permanent Account Number (PAN) online. The Income Tax Department provides two services to assist assessees in the process of linking the two identification numbers: an SMS-based facility, and an online tool provided on its e-filing portal (incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in). According to latest income tax laws, Aadhaar can be quoted interchangeably with PAN. Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department has set a September 30 deadline for assessees to link their Aadhaar with PAN "unless specifically exempted". (Also read: How to verify income tax return online using Aadhaar)

Here's how you can link your Aadhaar number with the PAN online (through SMS and through the e-filing portal):

Link Aadhaar with PAN through SMS service

The Income Tax Department also provides an SMS-based facility to enable the linking of Aadhaar with PAN online.

(Also read: Taxman to "suo motu" allot PAN to those only furnishing Aadhaar, says official)

In order to access this service, the user is required to send an SMS to either 567678 or 56161 in the following format, according to the Income Tax Department:

UIDPAN<12 digit Aadhaar><10 digit PAN>

(Also read: 10 things to know about updating Aadhaar card details)

For example:

UIDPAN 111122223333 AAAPA9999Q

Link Aadhaar with PAN through income tax e-filing portal

In order to link a PAN with Aadhaar online, the assessee is required to log in to the é-filing portal, according to the Income Tax Department. (Also read: Aadhaar, PAN steps to expand tax base, say experts)

After login, the user can select the "link Aadhaar" option under "profile settings".

(Also read: You can quote Aadhaar instead of PAN for these tasks)

Name on Aadhaar and PAN must be identical

Both the facilities allow the user to link the Aadhaar with PAN if the name given in both the identification documents is identical, according to the I-T department's website, incometaxindia.gov.in.