When it comes to paying taxes in India, Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a mandatory document to get started with. It is a proof of identity and also used for a number of financial transactions in the business world as well as personal life.

Every Permanent Account Number allotted and PAN card issued is valid for a lifetime. Those who accidentally lose it need not apply for a new PAN. However, you can apply for a duplicate PAN card online at the income tax department. In just a few simple and quick steps, you can get your duplicate PAN Card for any financial transactional purpose. 

What is a duplicate PAN card?

Duplicate PAN card is a document which the income tax department issues to the PAN holder when he loses, misplaces or damages the rd. People tend to expose important documents to different dangers on a daily basis and then wonder how to get it back. Income tax department has made it very easy to get a duplicate PAN card. Let’s see how it is done.

2. How to get a duplicate PAN card?

It’s very easy and simple to get a duplicate PAN card. The application can be filed to the official website i.e TIN-NSDL or if in paper form, it has to be addressed to the PAN services unit of NSDL. Online application of duplicate cards saves a lot of time as well as cost. Let’s see how can it be done online

Steps to Apply for Duplicate PAN Online:

Step 1: Visit TIN-NSDL and select the application type as “Changes or correction in existing PAN data/ Reprint of PAN card (No changes in existing PAN data)”. (If your PAN card is lost, misplaced or stolen, you should go with Reprint of your PAN card without changing any information.)

Step 2: Fill in the information marked as mandatory and then submit it.

Step 3: A token number will be generated and sent to your email-id provided by you on the previous page.

Note: Keep that token number for future reference and continue with the application filing.

Step 4: Now, Fill the necessary details in “Personal Details’ page along with selecting the mode of submission of your PAN application form. Following are the 3 modes available :

i. Forward application documents physically :

The acknowledgement form generated after payment has to be printed along with the copies of documents required and should be sent by the registered post to the PAN services unit of NSDL .

ii. Submit digitally through e-KYC & e-sign  (Paperless) :

Aadhaar is mandatory for availing this option and all the details given in your aadhaar should be alone used in duplicate PAN card application. An OTP will be sent to the aadhaar registered number for authentication of details provided. There is no need to upload a photo, signature and any other documents. While submitting the final form through this option, digital signature (DSC) will be required to e-sign the form.

iii. Submit scanned images through e-sign :

Aadhaar is also mandatory for this option but you will have to upload scan images of photograph, signature and other documents. Only an OTP will authenticate the application form.

Step 5: Then, you have to select whether you need a physical PAN card or an e-PAN card. If you select for an e-PAN card, then you have to provide a valid email-id. The email-id provided will receive the digitally signed e-PAN card.

Step 6: Next, fill details in the  “Contact & other details” and also the “document details” page and submit the application.

Step 7: You will be directed to the payment page and once the payment is made an acknowledgement will be generated.

Step 8: You can check the status of your duplicate PAN card using the 15 digits acknowledgement number generated.

Step 9: The duplicate PAN card will be dispatched within 2 weeks after the department receives the application.

When Do You Need to Apply for a Duplicate PAN Card?

A duplicate PAN card can be applied in the following situations :

• Loss/ Theft: People often carry their PAN cards in their wallets or pockets, it is possible to lose it when there is a theft of wallet/purse. It is quite a common reason for multiple applications to the department in India.
• Misplaced: There are multiple occasions when people leave the card somewhere and then be unsure of actually where they had kept it.
• Damaged: Reprinting the PAN card is the only solution for any kind of damage to the existing PAN card.
• Change in Information: It is possible that the information and signature entered at the time of applying for PAN changes with the time. In this case, we are left with only one solution, i.e. to change it and reprint the card with the information changed.

Who Can Apply for a Duplicate PAN Card?

There are different types of taxpayers in India like Individual/HUFs/Companies. But taxpayers except individuals can’t file their own PAN card application. All taxpayers other than individuals are required to have an authorized signatory to file the application. The list for the authorized signatories are as follows:

Category of Taxpayer	Authorised Signatory
Individual	Self
HUF	Karta of the HUF
Company	Any Director(s) of the company
Firm/ Limited Liability Partnership(LLP)	Any Partner(s)  of the firm/LLP
AOP(s)/Body of Individuals/Association of Person(s)/Local Authority/ Artificial Juridical Person	Authorised signatory as mentioned in the incorporations deed of the several taxpayers

How to Surrender a Duplicate PAN Card?

It is not permissible by the income tax law to have more than one Permanent Account Number. However, there are chances that you can receive more than one PAN card having the same number or different numbers. The taxpayers need not worry about this issue. Follow these steps and submit the duplicate or incorrect PAN card to the income tax department:

• Write a letter addressed to your assessing officer and provide all the details like your full name, date of birth, details about the PAN card to be retained and details of PAN card to be surrendered.
• You can speed post the letter or hand over the same to the assessing officer and get an acknowledgement receipt.
• The acknowledgement receipt is proof that a duplicate PAN card has been canceled.

Some Important Points Relating to Duplicate PAN Card

a. If you lost your PAN card by theft, you have to file an FIR at the nearest police station. The FIR copy needs to be sent along with the documents of the duplicate PAN card application.

b. When you are sending the acknowledgement of a PAN application by the registered post, you need to mention “Acknowledgement No. – (*************) – Application for Reprint of PAN or Application for changes or correction in PAN data” on the top of the envelope.

c. The application fee is Rs. 110 for resident individuals and Rs.1,020 for non-resident individuals.

d. PAN card will be dispatched at the address mentioned in the aadhaar.