How to quote your Aadhaar number in Income Tax return
August 31, 2019 is the last date to file your Income Tax return for FY 2018-19. All taxable individuals and entities must report their annual earnings before this specified due date. Notably, one is required to quote their Aadhaar number while filing ITR. Furthermore, linking of PAN and Aadhaar is also necessary. Here is how you can quote your Aadhaar number in ITR form.
How to enter Aadhaar details in ITR form
To quote Aadhaar number in ITR, dedicated spaces have been provided in the ITR forms. Enter your Aadhaar number in the provided space. However, in case you have applied for an Aadhaar card, but haven't received it yet, you can instead use your 28-digit Enrolment ID followed by the date and time of Aadhaar enrolment, while filling up your ITR form.
Case for pre-filled Aadhaar information
In case you are eligible to file ITR-1 online on the Income Tax e-filing portal and have previously mentioned your Aadhaar number in your return, then your Aadhaar number will most likely be pre-filled in the ITR form. This information will come under 'Part-A General information' of the ITR-1 form available on the website. However, do cross-check your pre-filled Aadhaar number once.
What about previous ITRs you have filed without quoting Aadhaar?
The Income Tax department in its circular dated March 31, 2019 has clarified that ITRs filed before April 1, 2019 without quoting Aadhaar number will be taken up for processing without any adverse action against the taxpayer.
If you haven't filed your ITR yet, here's the process
Meanwhile, to file your ITR, follow these steps: First off, log on to the e-filing portal of the Income Tax department. Click on 'Submit returns/Online returns...' link. Log in to your account or register using your PAN. Select assessment year, ITR form (as applicable) and submission code. Finally, select 'Prepare and submit online' option. Enter the required details and click on submit.
Your PAN might get deactivated, if not linked soon
Importantly, according to reports, the government is planning to temporarily invalidate all PAN cards that are not linked with Aadhaar latest by August 31, 2019. The thought behind the move is that the government believes that if after so many extensions, your PAN isn't yet linked with Aadhaar, its authenticity is questionable. Simply put, the government is skeptic that your PAN might be fake.
Here's how you can link your PAN and Aadhaar
To link Aadhaar with PAN online, log on to the Income Tax e-portal. Next, under the 'Quick Links' section, click on 'Link Aadhaar.' Enter details such as Aadhaar number, PAN, name, and Captcha code. Submit the details, click on 'Link Aadhaar', and you're done. After successful verification from UIDAI, the linkage will be confirmed. You can also link your PAN with Aadhaar via SMS.
You can also link your PAN with Aadhaar via SMS
Apart from the online method, users can also link their Aadhaar with PAN using SMS service. To do so, type a text message in this format: UIDPAN (space) 12-digit Aadhaar number (space) 10-digit PAN, and send to 567678 or 56161 from your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
