Complete Overview PAN 2.0 Project
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Complete Overview PAN 2.0 Project
The approval of the PAN 2.0 Project by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) marks a significant step toward modernizing taxpayer registration and improving the digital experience for taxpayers. The PAN 2.0 Project aligns with the government’s broader vision of fostering a Digital India and improving e-Governance. The announcement was made on Monday, November 25, 2024, with a financial outlay of ₹1,435 crore allocated for its implementation. By modernizing PAN/TAN services, it addresses long-standing issues of delays and inconsistencies while ensuring greater transparency and convenience for taxpayers.
CBDT PRESS RELEASE: PAN related services are hosted on three different portals (e-Filing Portal, UTIITSL Portal & Protean e-Gov Portal). In the PAN 2.0 Project, all PAN/TAN related services will be hosted on a single unified portal of ITD. The said Portal would host all end-to-end services related to PAN and TAN like allotment, updation, correction, Online PAN Validation, Know your AO, AADHAAR-PAN linking, verify your PAN, request for e-PAN, request for re-print of PAN card etc.
PAN 2.0 Project Overview:
- Approval and Financial Outlay: The project has been approved by the CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a financial allocation of ₹1,435 crore. The project focuses on re-engineering taxpayer registration services, leveraging digital technologies for enhanced efficiency and user experience. A unified, paperless, and online portal will be introduced for seamless PAN/TAN-related services.
- Free PAN Card Upgrade: The upgrade includes a free PAN card with an embedded QR code for taxpayers, announced by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. All PAN cardholders will be eligible for a free upgrade of their PAN cards to include a QR code for easier validation and information retrieval. This upgrade aims to simplify updates to personal details such as address, date of birth, or name.
- E-Governance Initiative: PAN 2.0 is a re-engineering effort aimed at transforming the business processes of taxpayer registration services using advanced technology. It integrates both core and non-core PAN/TAN activities along with PAN validation services to create a unified ecosystem. No Change Required for Existing PAN Holders: Existing PAN cards will remain valid, and there is no mandatory requirement for individuals or corporations to apply for a new card. Upgrading to the new QR code-enabled PAN card is optional and available for those wishing to update their details. The project consolidates PAN and TAN services to create a single source of truth, improving data consistency and transparency.
- System Overhaul: The project involves a comprehensive overhaul of the existing PAN issuance and verification systems to streamline processes and improve reliability. Over 78 crore PAN cardholders will benefit from streamlined, eco-friendly processes that reduce paperwork and processing time.
Validity and Free Updates:
Existing PAN cards without QR codes remain valid, Free services include:
- Allotment of a new PAN.
- Updates or corrections in PAN details.
- e-PAN delivery to the registered email address.
For a physical PAN card, a fee of ₹50 (domestic) applies. For delivery outside India, the fee is ₹15 + actual India Post charges.
Although not yet implemented, taxpayers can now request an e-PAN via email. To ensure seamless processing, taxpayers should register or update their email address in the income tax database. Updates to email addresses under the PAN 2.0 project are free of charge.
Key Benefits of PAN 2.0:
- Enhanced Digital Experience: Technology-driven improvements will ensure faster and more efficient services for taxpayers.
- Ease of Access: Simplified access to PAN/TAN services, ensuring speedy service delivery with improved quality.
- Single Source of Truth: Consolidated data ensures consistency and reliability across all taxpayer-related services.
- Eco-Friendly Processes: Digitization will reduce dependency on physical paperwork, making the processes more environmentally sustainable.
- Cost Optimization: Streamlined operations will reduce administrative costs for both the government and taxpayers.
