How to Change Details and Surrender Your PAN Card

The PAN card, also known as Permanent Account Number, is a ten-digit alphanumeric number that uniquely identifies an individual in India. The Income Tax Department issued the PAN card, which has been used to identify people who are liable to pay income tax in India. Hence, it is deemed one of the essential documents for completing tax-related obligations.

The growing importance of the PAN card makes it mandatory for Indian residents to understand its utility, the application process, and the method of PAN card correction.

Though individuals are primarily aware of the process of applying for a PAN card, many need to learn the process to correct PAN card details or the process of PAN card surrender. If you want to know how to change and surrender your PAN card details, this article has covered you. Read on to see the process in detail.

Steps To Change Or Surrender Your PAN Card

The PAN card is a personal identification number that the Income Tax Department issues. The purpose of this card is to enable you to file your income tax returns, pay your taxes, and get other government services.

To change or surrender your PAN card, you will have to complete all of the required steps as outlined below-

• Online Method

To change or surrender your PAN card, you can follow these steps-

1. Visit the website of the Income Tax Department of India (https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/).
2. Click on the 'Services' tab and select 'Application Type' as 'Changes or Correction in existing PAN data/Reprint of PAN Card (No changes in existing PAN data).'
3. Click on the 'Proceed' button.
4. Fill in the required details, such as your PAN number, name, date of birth, and contact information.
5. You will need to upload supporting documents, such as your proof of identity and proof of address.
6. Once you have filled in all the required details, click the 'Submit' button.
7. You must pay the applicable fee for the PAN card change or surrender.

Once the process is complete, you will receive a confirmation receipt. You can check the status of your application by logging in to your account on the Income Tax Department website.

Note: If you want to surrender your PAN card, you must select 'Surrender PAN Card' as the 'Application Type' on the website. You will also need to provide a reason for surrendering your PAN card.

• Offline Method

Follow these steps to surrender/change card details or to surrender a duplicate PAN card–

Step 1 – Fill up the ‘Request for a New PAN Card Or/and PAN card correction form.’ You can download a specific PAN card form from the official website.

Step 2 – Submit the PAN card form to your nearest collection centre of NSDL. Ensure you are attaching copies of all the essential documents as required.

Step 3 – On submission, you will be given an acknowledgement slip. The slip must be sent to the NSDL office within 15 days of filing the PAN card correction request.

Step 4 – Address a letter to the Assessing Officer, giving details about the duplicate PAN card. Also, put forward a request to cancel the same.

The Assessing Officer may ask you to present an affidavit stating that you do not possess any other PAN card besides your current one. Mention details about your duplicate pan card NSDL would want to know and put forward your request for cancellation of your PAN card. Post the letter to a tax office near you and save the acknowledgement number for future use.

Altering card details or surrendering them online is quick and hassle-free, although it can be completed offline. The latter method, however, will require you to visit the NSDL centre and follow up with the requirements physically.