CBDT extends deadline for linking of Aadhaar with PAN to 31 March 2018

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 8 December 2017 extended the date for linking Aadhaar with Permanent Account Number (PAN) to 31 March 2018.

The deadline was extended considering that some of the taxpayers have not yet completed the linking of PAN with Aadhaar.

All taxpayers having Aadhaar Number or Enrolment Number are required to link Aadhaar with Permanent Account Number as per the provisions of recently introduced section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Initially, the date for linking of Aadhaar with PAN was extended till 31 August 2017. This was further extended up to 31 December 2017.

Deadline for linking Aadhaar with PAN extended till 31 December 2017

Background
• The Aadhaar Act, 2016 demands mention of Aadhaar number for availing government benefits or services ranging from getting subsidised cooking gas to opening bank account. It was drafted keeping in mind privacy as a fundamental right.
• Section 7 of the Act prescribes that in order to obtain certain subsidy or benefit, the government can insist on an Aadhaar number.
• On the other hand, the linking of Aadhaar with PAN has also been mandated by an amendment to the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• The Act protects privacy of people as a fundamental right and its provisions provide for safeguarding of personal data.