The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extended the deadline by three months beyond March 31 for linking PAN (Permanent Account Number) with Aadhar cards. So, it was likely for unlinked PAN cards to be operational by June 30, 2021. But is this applicable to NRI PAN cards as well?
As NRI is considered to pay taxes in India for the assets and income they draw in the country, they’re required to have a PAN card. And it was mandatory for them, too, to link their Aadhaar and PAN cards. As a result, they had to visit India to follow the linking process, but due to Covid-19-related travel restrictions, quite a lot of them couldn’t visit India. So, you might think since July 1, 2021, if your PAN card has been made inoperative. If this happens, expectedly, you will not be able to file your tax returns and do monetary transactions further.
Well, the provisions of part 139AA (1) and 139AA (2) of the Revenue Tax Act allow each Indian to acquire Aadhar quantity, asking to quote or hyperlink Aadhaar number. If you fail to take action, the PAN allotted to the individual will be made inoperative. As per the CBDT’s latest notification dated June 25, 2021, both residents and non-residents have time to link their Aadhaar and PAN cards by September 30, 2021. So, you as an NRI don’t have to worry about the latest extension by CBDT.
Under 139AA (3), the officials could exempt certain classes from the applicability of the above requirement. Keeping this matter in view, they issued a notification in 2017 that people who don’t have Aadhaar are automatically exempted from linking Aadhar with PAN that integrates; however, it does not stop an NRI and international citizen (as per the guidelines of the Revenue Tax Act).
Therefore, you do not have to worry if your Aadhaar is not yet linked with a PAN card. You can do it at your convenience by September 30, 2021. Otherwise, your PAN card may be rendered inoperative.
