Duplicate PAN Card Penalty in India – Section 272B Explained

The PAN card has become as essential a document as the Aadhaar card. Without a PAN-card, any financial transaction becomes difficult. For example, submitting a PAN - card to a company is mandatory for salary payments, and for any financial assistance scheme, a PAN-card is required.

First, let's understand the punishment you could face for having two PAN-cards.

Punishment for Having Two PAN Cards

Across the country, only one PAN - card number is issued to a person. This number is linked to their identity. Having two PAN-cards is considered a crime under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act.

As for the punishment, this rule can result in a fine of up to 10,000 rupees. Furthermore, if the charges are serious, such as tax evasion, it could even lead to imprisonment.

What to Do If You Have Two PAN-Cards

Sometimes, people accidentally create two PAN-cards. If this has happened to you, let's explore how to correct it. If a person has two PAN - cards, they should cancel the extra PAN - card.

You can do this by visiting the NSDL or UTIITSL website and filling out the form titled Request for Surrender of Duplicate PAN.

Understanding the Structure of a PAN Number

A PAN number is based on the personal information you provide. The first three digits of the PAN number are English letters. They can range from AAA to ZZZ.

The fourth character indicates the cardholder's tax category. For example, if the cardholder is an individual, it is represented by the letter P. A company is represented by the letter C.

The fifth character is the first letter of your surname. For example, if the surname is Sharma, the fifth character would be S. Subsequent digits are determined by the Income Tax Department.

In this way, different PAN - cards are designed for different individuals.

Also Read - PAN-Card Aadhaar Link Status: Check and Link Before Deadline