A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a 10-digit identification code allotted for all taxpayers. Every resident Indian is required to have a PAN so that the Income Tax Department can keep track of their financial transactions. Non-resident Indians having taxable income in India also need a PAN card.
NRIs can apply for a PAN card online via NSDL (National Securities Depositories Limited) or UTIITSL’s (UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited) website. Now let us look into the details of NRI PAN cards, required documents and application process.
Anyone with a source of income in India needs to have a PAN card for income tax purposes. So, if you live abroad but earn income from property rent, share dividends or returns from a mutual fund, you need to file taxes. Even if you do not have a PAN card, it would still help to have a PAN card for investment purposes.
You need a PAN card under the following situations:
It is compulsory to quote your PAN card for reasons, such as the following:
Also read: List Of Financial Transactions That Require A PAN Card
Besides proofs of identity, address and date of birth, NRI’s have to provide the following additional documents for PAN card application:
The following are the basic documents everyone must submit to apply for a PAN card.
Identity proof
Aadhaar card, passport, driving license, voter ID card, ration card, pensioner card, CGHS card, bank certificate on a letterhead etc.
Date of birth proof
Voter ID card, driving licence, passport, Aadhaar card, birth certificate, mark sheet from a recognised board, etc.
Proof of residential address
Aadhaar card, passport, Voter ID card, electricity bill, water bill, landline telephone bill, broadband connection bill, property registration document, latest property tax assessment order, etc.
The Income Tax has authorised NSDL and UTIITSL to issue PAN cards. Applicants can visit the official websites to start the application process. NRIs with Indian citizenship should apply using Form 49A, while those with foreign citizenship, PIOs and OCIs need to use Form 49AA.
Applicants can apply at TIN Facilitation Centres and PAN Service Centres at various places in the country. They can submit the PAN application form along with necessary documents and prescribed fees at these centres. NRIs can also apply for PAN cards online via the NSDL and UTIITSL’s official websites.
You will need to mandatorily provide Aadhaar numbers for the PAN application. Moreover, you will have to affix two coloured stamp sized photographs to the application form. Designation and code of assessing officers must also be furnished.
Follow the given steps to apply for new PAN cards via the official website of NSDL:
Step 1
Visit TIN NSDL’s official website and click on ‘Online PAN Application.’
Step 2
Select the correct details such as application type (Form 49A or Form 49AA), category (individual), title (Shri/Kumari/Smt). Then, enter your name, contact details and date of birth.
Step 3
After noting the temporary token number, choose the mode of submission of PAN application documents.
Step 4
Now, fill in the rest of the details, including your Aadhaar number, parents’ details and if you require a physical PAN card.
Step 5
Enter details about your source of income, address and contact information.
Step 6
In the next two pages, you have to enter your AO (Assessing Officer) details, and upload scanned documents, respectively.
Step 7
After making payment, you will receive a One Time Password (OTP) on your Aadhaar-registered mobile number. Enter this and take a printout of the acknowledgement receipt.
Step 8
Sign this receipt and send it to NSDL’s office within 15 days of the application date.
Also read: PAN Card Migration: What Is It And How To Do It?
Non-resident Indians earning income from any source in India need to have a PAN card, regardless of their citizenship status. NRIs can apply for PAN cards online via NSDL or UTIITSL’s websites. It takes around 15 days from the application date to receive the physical card.
Ans: You will need to send the acknowledgement slip to the following address along with photographs and relevant documents:
NSDL e-Gov Infrastructure Limited (Income Tax PAN Service Unit)
4th Floor, Mantri Sterling
Model Colony, Survey No. 997, Plot No. 341, Pune- 411016
Near Deep Bungalow Chowk
Ans: You should send the acknowledgement receipt with two stamp-sized colour photographs (3.5 x 2.5 cm). It should also include copies of documents for proof of identity, DOB and address. Put these in an envelope and write ‘Application for PAN’ along with the acknowledgement number on top of it.
Ans: The PAN card fee for NRIs depends on their communication address. For dispatch of the PAN card anywhere in India, Rs. 93 is charged, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST). For a foreign communication address, the fee is Rs. 864 excluding GST.
Ans: NRIs with foreign citizenship need to furnish the following additional documents:
PAN card details of the employer
Appointment letter copy that the Indian Office has issued
An authorised copy of the address certificate (from the Indian employer)
Ans: Note that there are no direct provisions to change citizenship status in your PAN card as it does not display this information. That said, you can still get this detail changed on NSDL’s official website.
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