PAN card is a ten digit alphanumeric number issued by Income tax Department of India. Alphanumeric ten digit number is given on a laminated printed card as the proof.

From 2005 onwards Income tax Department has made it compulsory for all the Income tax payers to have PAN number. They have to quote the PAN number on their Income tax returns as well as on all correspondence with any income tax authority in the country.

Also it is mandatory to quote PAN number in all documents pertaining to financial transactions notified from time to time by the central Board of Direct Taxes, such as sale and purchase of immovable property or motor vehicle or payments in case of amounts exceeding a certain limit to hotels and restaurants or in connection with travel to any foreign country.

It can be used as identification proof for applying any connection.

Procedure for the Application of PAN card

1.submit the requisite Application  Form No.49A. application forms can be obtained from

• IT PAN Services centers.
• TIN Facilitation centers.
• Downloaded from the website of UTI Investor Services Ltd or Website of  National Securities Depositary Ltd (NSDL) Link is http://tin.nsdl.com

2. Recent color photograph (stamp size: 3.5 cm X 2.5 cm).

3. Mention the designation and code of the concerned Assessing officer of the Income Tax Department in Form 49A. You can get this for the IT PAN Service entree mentioned in the websites listed above.

4. Proof  of Identity.

5. Proof of Residence.

6. The filled application form has to be submitted at your nearest IT PAN Service entree or TIN facilitation entree along with the requisite fee. Locations can be searched using following links.

http://india.gov.in/outerwin.php?id=http://www.utitsl.co.in/pan/search.php

Through NET

PAN card can be applied through net. For more  details  visit http://www.tin-nsdl.com. Payment made through a nominated or mentioned credit cards, PAN is allotted on priority and communicated through mail.