IT Dept blocks over 1.14 million PAN cards, asks taxpayers to verify

The Income Tax Department has de-activated over 1.14 million PAN cards that were found to be fake or were over and above the single PAN cards normally issued to each person. The department also has asked taxpayers to check whether their PAN cards are intact.

The deactivated PAN cards include such as those issued to individuals who had submitted false information as also of those who are in possession of more than one PAN card, which could be misused by tax cheaters.

''The uniqueness of PAN is achieved by conducting a de-duplication check on all already existing allotted PAN against the data furnished by the new applicant. Under the existing system of PAN, only demographic data is captured,'' a government statement read.

The decision comes after the government made linking of Adhere and PAN mandatory

To check the availability status of PAN cards of people who were having two or more PAN cards, one has to visit the Income Tax e-filing Website http://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. 

On the site Home page at the left side corner services are provided. In that, you will find ''Know your PAN'' option. Click on it.

Now you will be directed to next page, and you need to provide information such as your name, status, date of birth and mobile number.

Now you will be processed to the last page where OTP will be asked to enter. One time password or OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. You should enter OTP and Click on 'Validate' button available there.

A pop box with this message is displayed ''There are multiple records for this query. Provide additional information (if there are more than one PAN card)''.

On the final page at Remarks column, your PAN card statement is displayed. If your PAN card is not duplicate or fake it shows 'Active' statement.