• Notification Date: 16-05-2024
• Notification No: N/A

Important Update about PAN-Aadhaar Non-linkage for Taxpayers

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has said that the tax deductors/collectors will not be treated as defaulter for failure to deduct tax at a higher rate on transactions of those deductees whose PAN became inoperative due to non-linkage with Aadhaar. The tax department’s directions are pertaining to transactions carried out between July 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. 

The CBDT, which comes under the finance ministry, said that several grievances have been received from the taxpayers that they are in receipt of notices intimating that they have committed default on ‘short deduction/collection’ of TDS/TCS while carrying out the transactions where the PANs of the deductees were inoperative. 

In such cases, as the deduction/collection has not been made at a higher rate, demands have been raised by the department against the deductors/collectors while processing of TDS/TCS statements under Section 200A or under Section 206CB of the Act, the CBDT said in a recent circular. 

“With a view to redressing the grievances faced by such deductors/collectors, the Board, in partial modification and in continuation of the Circular No. 3 of 2023, hereby specifies that for the transactions entered into upto 31.03.2024 and in cases where the PAN becomes operative (as a result of linkage with Aadhaar) on or before 31.05.2024, there shall be no liability on the deductor/collector to deduct/collect the tax under section 206AA/206CC, as the case maybe, and the deduction/collection as mandated in other provisions of Chapter XVII-B or Chapter XVII-BB of the Act, shall be applicable,” it said. 

As per sub-rule (4) of rule 114AAA of the Income-Tax Rules, 1962, the above consequences shall have effect from the date specified by the board, The board vide Circular No. 3 of 2023 dated 28th March 2023 has specified that the consequences shall take effect from 1st July 2023 and continue till the PAN becomes operative. 

The Circular No. 3 of 2023 said that a person who fails to intimate the Aadhaar number in accordance with Section 139AAA of the Income-Tax Act, 1962 would face the following consequences for having an inoperative PAN: 

1. Refund of any amount of tax or part thereof due under the provisions of the Act shall not be made to him; 

2. Interest shall not be payable to him on such refund for the period, beginning with the date specified under sub-rule (4) of rule 114AAA and ending with the date on which it becomes operative; 

3. Where tax is deductible under Chapter XVII-B in case of such person, such tax shall be deducted at higher rate, in accordance with the provisions of Section 206AA; 

4. Where Tax is collectible at source under Chapter XVII-BB in case of such person, such tax shall be collected at higher rate, in accordance with the provisions of section 206CC.