Filing Income Tax return without linking Aadhaar to PAN allowed but linking to be done before 31st August, 2017

Filing Income tax return without linking Aadhaar to PAN allowed but linking to be done before 31st August, 2017. However, ITRs shall not be processed until linkage. 

Filing Income tax return without linking Aadhaar to PAN Allowed

With the extension of the due date of 31st July 2017 for filing ITR, the Income tax Department vide its press release dated 31st July 2017 has given relief in linking of Aadhaar to PAN as under.

For the purpose of e-filing return, it would be sufficient as of now to quote Aadhaar or acknowledgement No. for having applied for Aadhaar in e-filing website. The actual linking of PAN with Aadhaar can be done subsequently, but any time before 31st August, 2017. However, the returns will not be processed until the linkage of Aadhaar with PAN is done.

Earlier Discussion:
In social media a message is in circulation that Income tax Department has started accepting Income Tax Returns (ITRs) without even linking Aadhaar Number to PAN if the Aadhaar Number is mentioned in the ITR.

Some websites have also published such news item.

However, the news is not found to be correct as even today, ITRs though containing the Aadhaar are not accepted unless they are linked to PAN. In such cases too the e-filing website of income tax is displying the following messages:

Therefore, the message/news in circulation that income tax Department is accepting return without linking of Aadhaar to PAN is not found correct.

On the Contrary, the quick link for linking of Aadhaar to PAN which was hosted at home page of income tax e-filing website is not working and is redirected to user login. In other words, now on, Aadhaar can be linked only through “Link Aadhaar”option under profile menu after login to user account.