The distribution of various important documents to all citizens of the country is an essential process.
One such vital document is the PAN card (Permanent Account Number), which is issued by India’s Income Tax Department and serves as an identification card and an important document for Income Tax purposes.
PAN cards are extensively used for financial transactions in India, and the government uses the information obtained from them to assess people’s tax liability.
It is crucial to ensure that certain essential aspects of the PAN card are taken care of to avoid penalties.
It is important to note that according to the law, no individual in the country is permitted to possess more than one PAN card.
Possessing multiple or duplicate PAN cards may result in significant complications and serious consequences.
Duplicate PAN cards are often issued due to multiple applications, and it is crucial to avoid such circumstances.
If caught, individuals may encounter a host of difficulties. While some individuals may have received their PAN card directly from the IT department, others may have obtained it through third-party agencies.
If an individual has more than one PAN card, they will need to cancel one of them.
Some people may apply for multiple PANs with the intention to deceive the authorities or save money, which is considered a serious offense that can result in penalties.
The government has strict laws regarding the possession of multiple PAN cards and imposes a penalty of Rs 10,000 on anyone found to have a duplicate PAN.
This penalty is enforced under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act.
Return a Duplicate PAN Card:
An individual or company may possess duplicate PAN cards if there has been an administrative error or if they have applied multiple times and received a PAN card each time.
It is strictly forbidden to possess more than one PAN card at a time, and any duplicates obtained must be returned.
Return duplicate PAN card offline
To surrender or modify the information on their PAN, individuals can fill out the PAN change request Application Form and submit it to the appropriate assessment officer.
In Column 11 of the form, individuals can indicate which PAN they wish to keep and which they wish to surrender.
A copy of the relevant PAN should also be provided with the application.
After completing the form, individuals should retain the acceptance slip as proof of PAN surrender and for future reference in case of any disputes.
Return duplicate PAN card online
To return duplicate PAN cards online, an individual should begin by visiting the official website of the Income Tax Department.
Next, the person should provide all of their personal information, such as their name, address, and date of birth.
Additionally, the individual should specify which PAN card they wish to keep and which one they wish to return.
Once the application has been submitted, an acknowledgement slip will be sent, which the applicant should keep for future reference.
In this way, the process of surrendering a PAN card can be completed online.
Having multiple PAN cards can lead to severe consequences such as criminal liability and penalties under the IT Act. It is not recommended to hold more than one PAN card.
In case a person has multiple PAN cards, it is advisable to return the duplicate one to assist the government and tax authorities.