Did you know that a PAN Card for a minor is perfectly legal? In fact, it’s beneficial too. We’ll tell you all about it here.
A PAN or Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a unique identification number that is assigned to every tax paying citizen of India. A PAN Card is essential for all tax paying entities, such as individuals, companies, local authorities etc.
Your PAN Card records all your transactions, making it easier for the government to track all your investments and transactions, and compile all tax-related information for each PAN Cardholder.
Most of us think that a Permanent Account Number (PAN) is applicable only to individuals above 18 years of age. Surprising as it may seem, the Income Tax Department actually doesn’t specify any age limit for applying for a PAN Card.
The National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), the government body that issues PAN Cards, also issues PAN Cards for minors. In fact, getting a PAN Card for your child is actually beneficial.
Let us walk you through when and how you can get a PAN Card for your minor.
When and why does a child need a PAN Card?
A minor will need a PAN Card when:
- He/she is a nominee of your investments in property, shares or financial products etc.
- You make an investment in his/her name.
- You want to open a bank account for your child or a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account for your daughter.
- Your child is earning. A minor’s income is usually clubbed with his/her parent’s income. It is taxable, however, when:
-The minor is physically challenged.
-He/she has earned income on their own.
-The child earns income through his/her own manual work/knowledge/skill and talent.
- Since the PAN number is a permanent number that remains unchanged throughout the lifetime of the holder, the child’s PAN number will remain the same irrespective of name/address change in the future.
Additional Reading: PAN Card Decoded
How to apply for a PAN Card for a minor?
The government has streamlined two avenues for those wishing to apply for a PAN Card for a minor, with the service available both offline as well as online.
Online PAN application process for a minor:
Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for a PAN Card for a minor online:
- Visit the Tax Information Network website of the NSDL and click on the “Online PAN Application” tab.
- From the drop-down menu, select the appropriate option – i.e. Form 49 or Form 49A, depending on your residency status.
- After going through the instructions, select the category of the applicant from the drop-down list provided and click “Select”.
- Fill in the details requested in the form that appears onscreen.
- Upload the supporting documents as mentioned in the form’s guidelines and make the online processing fee payment.
- Once the form has been filled out, click on “Submit” after which a reference number will be generated that will appear on the screen. Use this number to track the status of your application.
- The PAN Card will be sent by post to the address mentioned in the form.
Offline PAN Application process for minor:
- Download Form 49 (for Indian residents) or Form 49A (for Indians not residing in India) from the Tax Information website.
- The form is also available at UTISL offices and through their agents.
- Fill in the relevant details and attach copies of the documents required.
- For a minor PAN Card, no photograph is required.
- Submit the form and documents to the nearest UTISL office along with the processing fee amount.
- Upon verification of the form, the PAN card will be posted to the address mentioned in the form.
Additional Reading: Aadhaar To Be Mandatory For IT Returns/PAN Card
Documents required to apply for a PAN Card for a minor:
One has to submit the following documents along with the PAN Card application form for minors:
Proof of age to apply for PAN Card for minor:
- Aadhaar Card
- Municipal birth certificate
- Mark sheet issued by recognised educational board
- Passport
- Driver’s licence
- Voter’s ID Card
- Central govt. issued photo ID card
Proof of address to apply for PAN Card for minor:
One can submit any of the following documents towards proof of address as applicable:
- Passport
- Voter’s ID card
- Domicile certificate issued by a state government
- Aadhaar card
- Post office passbook mentioning the applicant’s address
- Property document
- Original certificate of address signed by a Member of Parliament/Member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council/Gazetted Officer
- Electricity/landline/water/consumer gas bill (not more than 3 months old)
- Credit Card/account statement (not more than 3 months old)
Proof of identity to apply for PAN Card for minor:
One can submit any of the following documents as proof of identity:
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport
- Ration card
- Government-issued photo ID card
- Driver’s licence
- Voter ID card
- Original certificate of identity signed by a Member of Parliament/Member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council/Gazetted Officer
- Original bank certificate on official letterhead along with a photograph from issuing bank branch, attested by a bank officer.
Additional reading: Get Your PAN Card Via The IT Dept Mobile App
Procedure to update PAN Card of minor on turning 18:
On turning 18, one must modify details in his/her PAN card to reflect the new changes. You may follow the below-mentioned steps to correct or update your minor’s PAN Card:
- Fresh account opening form: On turning 18, an individual who holds a PAN for a minor is expected to apply for a new PAN Card using Form 49A (if he/she is an Indian citizen) or Form 49AA (if he/she is a foreign citizen).
- Fill form: The applicant needs to fill out the form with the relevant details and sign it.
- Documents: An applicant should submit relevant documents, including photographs and address proof.
- Submission: You can fill the form either online or offline. Individuals should ensure that the details are accurate before submitting it.
- Payment: An individual can make the requisite payment, with the amount depending on the communication address. People with an address within the country need to pay Rs. 107 while those outside the country need to pay Rs. 989.
- Acknowledgement: Once the payment has been made successfully, an acknowledgement number will be generated which can be used for future correspondence with the department.
See how easy that was? Did you know that just like getting a PAN Card for your child can be beneficial, making investments can also prove beneficial for him/her?
Take a look at our Mutual Fund plans to ensure you give your child a bright and secure future.