How to Find Your PAN Card Number If You Forgot or Lost?

If you have misplaced your PAN card or forgotten your PAN number, you can use official Income Tax services and existing financial records to recover it. Many individuals mistakenly believe they need to apply for a new PAN card when they can't remember their existing PAN number. Since a PAN functions as a permanent identifier, you do not need to get a new PAN card when you can recover your old one easily.

Read the blog below to learn more about the methods to find your PAN card number online, and the available methods such as checking the Income Tax website, your tax and bank records, and other documents where your PAN may be recorded.

What is a PAN Card Number?

A Permanent Account Number (PAN), or a PAN card number, is a unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India. Its main function is to identify taxpayers and is used for various tax, financial, and regulatory transactions.

• A normal PAN card comprises letters and numbers, following the format "ABCDE1234F".
• Your PAN number is different from the physical PAN card.
• Your physical card is a document that displays your PAN and other information.
• While the PAN itself functions as your permanent tax identifier.

Hence, if you have lost your physical PAN card or have forgotten your PAN number, you must recover your existing PAN rather than applying for a new one.

How to Find PAN Card Number?

If you have lost or forgotten your PAN card number, you must recover it quickly. There are several ways to retrieve your PAN number.

A few of these methods are listed below.

1. Check Your Physical PAN Card

• Check the front of your physical PAN card if you have it.
• You might see your 10-character PAN number printed there along with other details.

In case you have lost your original PAN card, you must check whether you have:

• A photocopy of your PAN card
• A scanned copy
• A photograph of the card
• A previously downloaded e-PAN
• A digital copy stored in your email or cloud storage

Any copy of your PAN card can be used to find your PAN number without applying for a new PAN.

Note: Losing your physical PAN card does not mean your PAN card has changed or been canceled.

2. Find Your PAN Number through the Income Tax Website

Follow the steps below.

• Access the official Income Tax e-Filing website.
• Choose the "Know your PAN" service.
• Enter the required details.
• Complete the necessary verification process.
• After verification, your PAN number and related PAN details will be displayed on the screen.
• Since the portal's menu and service options may change, follow the latest instructions shown on the official Income Tax website.

3. Retrieve Your PAN Number through the Mobile App

Follow the steps below.

• Download the myPAN mobile app on your device.
• Open the app and choose "Know your PAN details".
• Enter your registered mobile number linked with your PAN.
• Provide the OTP received on your mobile number for verification.
• After the verification process is over, your PAN number and other PAN details will be displayed on the screen.

4. Contact the Toll-Free Helpline

If you cannot recover your PAN online, you can also contact the Income Tax Department using their official taxpayer support channels.

The Income Tax Department usually has the following e-Filing helpdesk numbers:

• 1800 103 0025
• 1800 419 0025
• +91-80-46122000
• +91-80-61464700

This helpdesk operates from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening. Before calling the above-mentioned numbers, you must have relevant information with you, such as your name, date of birth, and other details that might help prove your identity.

Make sure to verify the current contact details on the official Income Tax portal before calling, since helpline information might change.

5. Retrieve PAN Number Using Email

You can recover your PAN details by writing an email to the official providers such as:

• UTIITSL email ID: [email protected]
• NSDL (Protean e-Gov) email ID: [email protected]

When writing the email, you must provide your full name, date of birth, and registered mobile number for verification.

6. Check Your PAN Number in Banks or Tax Statements

In most cases, your PAN number can be found on various documents that you already have. It is one of the easiest methods to complete a PAN number search if you have forgotten your PAN number, provided you have access to your financial records.

You can check the following documents to find your PAN number.

• Previous Income Tax Returns
• ITR acknowledgments
• Form 16
• TDS certificates
• Salary-related tax documents
• Mutual fund statements
• Demat account records
• Insurance documents
• Loan documents
• Investment statements
• Previous tax correspondence

You can also look for the PAN number on previously filed ITRs, saved tax returns, or acknowledgments.

How to Check Your PAN Card Issue Date?

First, keep in mind that a PAN Card Issue Date is different from your PAN number. A PAN number acts as your permanent identifier, while a PAN Card Issue Date means the date related to the issuance of the PAN card. 

• Never guess your PAN number if a bank, financial institution, or other organization asks for your PAN card issue date.
• You can simply check any available PAN documents or relevant official records for the requested date.
• Make sure the PAN number has not changed because you received a reprinted or replacement PAN card.

Why is it Important to have Your PAN Number with You?

Having your PAN card number with you wherever you go can make most tax and financial processes easier. You might also need your PAN card for activities such as:

• Income Tax Return filing
• Tax-related correspondence
• Banking and financial services
• Investments
• Securities and security-market transactions
• Some kind of property transactions
• Other forms of transactions where a PAN is needed, under applicable tax rules

If you have the necessary PAN details with you, it can help you complete forms and avoid delays caused by searching for the PAN number at the last minute.

You must always have a secure copy of your PAN document or e-PAN if you have forgotten your PAN and lost it.

Conclusion

You must not panic if you have lost your PAN or forgotten your PAN number. Make sure you do not start applying for a new PAN card since it is not needed. You can easily find your PAN card Number Online using the Income Tax Department's "Know your PAN" service or try to find it in your previous ITRs, Form 16, TDS records, bank documents, investment statements, or an e-PAN.

When performing a PAN card number check, keep in mind that finding an unknown PAN and verifying a known PAN are not considered the same. The Income Tax Department's "Verify PAN Status" service requires an existing PAN to confirm whether it is active or whether the submitted details match its records. Make sure to use official or authorized channels to protect your PAN, Aadhaar, and OTP information from unauthorized access when looking for your PAN number, PAN number search, or PAN card details.

You can also visit the Visament website. They have trained experts who can guide you and provide end-to-end support.