PAN CARD Structure

It is a 10-digit alphanumeric number and each character represents distinct information of the cardholder.

• First 3 letters:These are purely alphabetical in nature and contain three-letter of the alphabet from A to Z.
• 4th letter: The fourth letter is an alphabet that represents the category of the taxpayer. The various entities and their respective characters are as follows:
• A – Association of Persons
• B – Body of Individuals
• C – Company
• F – Firms
• G – Government
• H – Hindu Undivided Family
• L – Local Authority
• J – Artificial Judicial Person
• P – Individual
• T – Association of Persons for a Trust
• 5th letter: The fifth letter is the first letter of the individual’s surname
• Next 4 characters: The next 4 characters are purely numerical in nature and are numbers between 0-9.
• Last character: The last one letter is an alphabet.

Types of PAN

These are the different types of PAN card issued to tax-paying entities in India:

• Individuals (including minors)
• Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
• Company
• Partnership Firms
• LLP
• Trusts
• Society
• Association Of Person (AOP)
• Body Of Individuals (BOI)
• Foreigners

PAN Card Applications

• Form 49A: Indian citizens, including minors, NRIs, citizens located outside India, Indian companies, Indian firms and Indian BOI/ AOP who do not have a PAN card must fill out this form to get a PAN.
• Form 49AA: All foreign citizens who require a PAN must file this form.
• Changes or Corrections in existing PAN/ Reprint of PAN card : People who already have a existing PAN but need to make changes or corrections in their PAN card data must apply this form. However, people who want to reprint the existing PAN card without any changes can apply for reprint of PAN card application.

TAN Applications

TAN or Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number is a 10 digit alphanumeric number required to be obtained by all persons who are responsible for deducting or collecting tax. Under Section 203A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, it is mandatory to quote Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) allotted by the Income Tax Department (ITD) on all TDS returns.

There are two types of TAN applications:

Application for issuance of new TAN (Form 49B) This application form should be used when the deductor has never applied for a TAN or does not have a TAN.) Form for Change or Correction in TAN data for TAN Allotted.