The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a crucial 10-digit alphanumeric identifier issued primarily to tax-paying Indians. Serving as a unique key for information storage, PAN consolidates all tax-related data for an individual or business. No two entities can share the same PAN, ensuring distinct identification.
When the Income Tax Department assigns a PAN to an organization, it also issues a tangible PAN Card. Unlike the PAN itself, the PAN card is a physical card featuring the PAN number, along with the cardholder’s name, date of birth, and photo. This card serves as a versatile proof of identification and birth.
Details included in PAN Card
PAN cards adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) rules, carrying essential information such as:
- Individual/Company name of the cardholder
- Name of the cardholder’s father (applicable to individual cardholders only)
- Date of birth (for individuals) or date of registration (for corporations)
- PAN number: A ten-character alpha-numeric code representing unique information about the cardholder, with the first three letters being strictly alphabetical. The fourth letter indicates the taxpayer’s category.
