New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) The government today extended thedeadline for mandatory linking of PAN with Aadhaar by threemonths to March 31, 2018.
This is the third extension given by the government toindividuals to link the Permanent Account Number (PAN) withthe biometric ID.
The Centre had already informed the Supreme Court that itis willing to extend till March 31 the deadline fixed formandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services andwelfare schemes.
"It has come to notice that some of the taxpayers havenot yet completed the linking of PAN with Aadhaar.
"Therefore, to facilitate the process of linking, it hasbeen decided to further extend the time for linking of Aadhaarwith PAN till March 31, 2018," the finance ministry said.
As of November, 13.28 crore out of 33 crore PANs havebeen linked to the 12-digit biometric identifier Aadhaar.
This year, the government made quoting of Aadhaarmandatory for filing income tax returns (ITRs) as well asobtaining a new PAN.
Section 139 AA (2) of the Income Tax Act says that everyperson having PAN as on July 1, 2017, and eligible to obtainAadhaar, must intimate his Aadhaar number to the taxauthorities.
The government had in August extended by four months thedeadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar till December 31,pending the Supreme Court verdict.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging thegovernment's decision on Aadhaar.
The apex court has said it may consider setting up of aconstitution bench to hear pleas challenging the Centre's moveto make Aadhaar card mandatory for availing various servicesand benefits of welfare schemes.
The deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar previouslywas July 31 but was extended to August 31 and later to December 31, 2017. PTI JDABM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.