Can a Person Have More Than One PAN in India?

No, under Indian law, a person is strictly allowed to hold only one Permanent Account Number (PAN). Multiple PANs issued to the same individual or entity are considered illegal and punishable under the Income Tax Act. PAN is meant to serve as a unique identifier for all tax-related and financial activities.

• Legal Position on Holding Multiple PANs

• As per Section 139A of the Income Tax Act, a person can be allotted only one PAN.

• Applying for or possessing more than one PAN is a legal offense.

• The law ensures a one-to-one relationship between a taxpayer and their financial identity.

• This regulation helps maintain consistency in income reporting and tax filings.

• Reasons People May Have Multiple PANs

• Unawareness or oversight while reapplying due to lost or damaged PAN cards.

• Intentional misuse to evade taxes or conceal financial transactions.

• Technical errors or duplication during the application process.

• Change in name or residential status without properly updating records.

• Consequences of Holding More Than One PAN

• A penalty of ₹10,000 may be imposed under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act.

• Income tax returns may be rejected or flagged if linked to multiple PANs.

• Bank and financial transactions may get blocked or subjected to scrutiny.

• It can lead to legal notices and compliance issues from the Income Tax Department.

• How to Check for Duplicate PANs

• Use the Income Tax e-Filing portal to check PAN status with personal details.

• Contact the PAN issuing agencies (NSDL or UTIITSL) for verification.

• Review income tax return acknowledgments to confirm the PAN used.

• Check bank KYC records and demat account information for consistency.

• Steps to Surrender Duplicate PAN

• Fill out Form ‘Request for New PAN Card or Changes or Correction in PAN Data’.

• Mention the PAN to be retained and clearly indicate the duplicate to be surrendered.

• Submit the form to the nearest PAN center or through the online portal.

• A confirmation receipt will be issued, and the surrendered PAN will be deactivated.