Delhi residents, Jag Mohan Soni and his wife, are still carrying PAN cards that were made 35 years back. Due to wear and tear over the last three decades, signatures on their PAN cards do not appear clearly, especially in photocopies. In an email sent to FE Money, Jag Mohan says he thinks they can continue having their old cards. However, he is wondering whether it is necessary or mandatory by law to replace an old PAN card with a new one.

FE Money talked to four tax and legal experts to explain what the rules say regarding old PAN cards and what taxpayers like Jag Mohan should do if they want to replace their old cards.

All four experts said it is not mandatory to replace an old PAN card as the Permanent Account Number (PAN) remains valid throughout the lifetime of a taxpayer unless it is cancelled or surrendered. Read on to know more of what the experts said:

Pallav Pradyumn Narang, Partner, CNK

There is no specific mandate to replace old and worn-out PAN cards. That said, while the PAN card is primarily for tax purposes, it is also often used as a form of identification. Having a PAN card in a legible and good condition can prevent any inconvenience when presenting it for identification or verification purposes. Individuals like Jag Mohan can obtain a copy of their electronic PAN (ePAN) from the NSDL PAN portal. New physical copies of the PAN card can also be requested, for a fee, on the same portal.

Nikhil Varma, Managing Partner, MVAC Advocates & Consultants

Replacing PAN cards due to wear and tear is not mandatory as PAN cards are valid for a lifetime. However, if the card has become illegible or damaged to the point of being unusable, individuals can apply for a duplicate PAN card online or by submitting a physical application form, following the official guidelines from the Income Tax Department of India. It is essential to keep PAN card details accurate and update them if there are significant changes in personal information.

Abhishek Nangia, Senior Associate, SKV Law Offices

It is not mandatory to replace the old PAN card with a new one solely for wear and tear or dim signatures. If required, a duplicate PAN Card can be issued as an exact replica of the original. The process for obtaining a reprinted PAN Card is the same as when a PAN card is lost. One can apply for duplicate PAN cards offline and online. Both the procedures are different.

Ways to Reprint PAN Card: There are three methods to apply for a reprint Lost/Damaged PAN card.

  • Offline – By Submitting Application Form Offline
  • Online – Through NSDL Portal
  • Online – Through UTI

Himanshu Sachdeva, Senior Associate at TAS Law

There is no mandatory requirement to replace old PAN cards with new ones solely due to wear and tear or dim signatures. The Permanent Account Number (PAN) remains the same throughout an individual’s lifetime, and its validity does not expire unless it is cancelled or surrendered. If the PAN card is still legible and contains accurate information, individuals can continue using it for various financial and tax-related purposes.

However, if the PAN card has significant damage that makes it difficult to read or if there are errors in the information displayed, individuals may consider applying for a new PAN card with updated information.

The following are a few steps to apply for a new or a duplicate PAN card:

  1. Online Application: You can apply for a new or duplicate PAN card online through the official website of the Income Tax Department of India. Visit the NSDL or UTIITSL websites (authorized agencies for PAN card services) and follow the instructions for applying online. You will need to fill out the PAN Card application form (Form 49A or Form 49AA) as applicable.
  2. Offline Application: Alternatively, you can apply for a new or duplicate PAN card by submitting a physical application form along with the required documents at the nearest PAN card centre or authorized service provider.
  3. Documents Required: You will need to provide proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of date of birth along with the application form. These documents may include a copy of your Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or other relevant documents. You will also need to provide two passport-sized photographs.
  4. Payment: There is a fee for applying for a new PAN card or getting a duplicate PAN card. The fee may vary based on whether the card is being dispatched within India or outside India.
  5. Track Application: After submitting the application, you can track the status of your PAN card application online.

It’s essential to ensure that the information provided in the PAN card application is accurate and matches your existing PAN details. Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive a new or duplicate PAN card with the same PAN number.

How to find a PAN centre near you

Taxpayers can find the PAN centres near their residence by visiting the Tax Information Network website at https://www.protean-tinpan.com/pan-center.html

On this portal, taxpayers can search the nearest PAN centres either by entering their area PIN code or by entering the name of their state/city.

Have any home loan, property, income tax, insurance or other personal finance-related queries? Write to fe.money@financialexpress.com. We will get relevant queries answered by experts.