How to Get a PAN Card for Your Business
At a glance
Cost
Small govt fee
Timeline
4-7 working days
Difficulty
Easy
PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department. Every business entity in India needs a PAN for tax filing, opening a bank account, and most financial transactions above Rs 50,000.
Who Needs a Business PAN?
Key takeaway
Sole proprietors
Partnership firms
LLPs and Companies
HUFs and Trusts
What Does It Cost?
A standard PAN application carries a small government processing fee that varies slightly by mode (Aadhaar eKYC, physical documents, or foreign delivery) and whether you want a physical card mailed to you. The one exception: Instant PAN via Aadhaar (further down this guide) is completely free.
See the exact fee for each mode on the official Protean (NSDL) fee schedule.
What documents do you need for a business PAN card?
PAN Application Document Checklist
- Completed Form 93 (Indian citizens, replaces Form 49A from 1 April 2026) or the applicable form for foreign citizens
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, or driving license)
- Proof of address (Aadhaar, utility bill less than 3 months old, bank statement)
- Separate proof of date of birth: birth certificate, Class 10 certificate, passport, voter ID, or driving licence. Aadhaar alone no longer counts as date of birth proof for this application route
- For firms: partnership deed and certificate of registration
- For companies: certificate of incorporation from MCA
How to Apply for PAN Online
New Rule From 1 April 2026
Aadhaar alone is no longer enough for this application route. You now need to upload a separate date of birth document too, such as a birth certificate, Class 10 certificate, passport, voter ID, or driving licence. The old Form 49A has also been retired in favour of Form 93. This does not affect the free Instant PAN via Aadhaar option below, which works differently and is still fully paperless.
- 1
Visit the Authorized Portal
Go to NSDL/Protean PAN portal or UTIITSL portal. Both are Income Tax Department–authorized.
- 2
Select Application Type
Pick New PAN – Indian Citizen (Form 93, which replaced Form 49A on 1 April 2026), or the correct entity type for companies/firms.
- 3
Fill the Online Form
Add personal details, contact, and income source. Name must match Aadhaar exactly to avoid rejection.
- 4
Upload Documents and Photo
Upload ID, address, and photo, plus a separate date of birth document since Aadhaar alone is no longer accepted as DOB proof on this form. JPEG, max 200 KB each.
- 5
Pay and Submit
Pay the small processing fee for your mode (free if you use Instant PAN via Aadhaar below) by card, net banking, or UPI.
- 6
E-PAN and Physical PAN
e-PAN hits registered email within ~48 hours of processing; physical card posts in about 4–7 working days.
Instant PAN via Aadhaar: Free, and Unaffected by the 2026 Rule Change
If you have never been allotted a PAN before and your Aadhaar is linked to an active mobile number, get an instant e-PAN for free. Visit incometax.gov.in → Instant PAN through Aadhaar, enter your Aadhaar number, validate via OTP, and download your e-PAN. No documents, no fee, no waiting. This route pulls your date of birth directly from UIDAI records instead of a separate uploaded document, so it stays paperless even under the April 2026 rules above.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Name mismatch
Wrong category
Blurry documents
Incorrect DOB
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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