Permanent Account Number (PAN)

Yes. Any NRI who earns income in India that is subject to TDS, holds an NRO/NRE account, purchases or sells property, invests in shares or mutual funds, or needs to file an Indian income tax return is required to have a PAN. Without a PAN, Section 206AA requires the deductor to deduct TDS at 20% — even if the applicable rate is lower. PAN is also required for transactions above prescribed thresholds.

Indian citizens residing abroad (NRIs who hold or have held Indian passports) apply using Form 49A. Foreign nationals of Indian origin, including OCI cardholders who are foreign citizens, apply using Form 49AA. The supporting documents required differ slightly between the two forms — we advise on which form and which documents apply to your specific situation.

For Form 49A: identity proof (passport), address proof (foreign address proof accepted — bank statement, utility bill, or driving licence), and date of birth proof. For Form 49AA: passport or PIO/OCI card as identity proof, foreign address proof, and date of birth proof. All documents must be attested by the Indian Embassy or a notary public in the country of residence.

NRIs who are Indian citizens but do not hold an Aadhaar card are generally exempt from the Aadhaar-PAN mandatory linking requirement, as Aadhaar is issued only to residents of India. OCI/PIO cardholders who are not Indian citizens are similarly not required to hold Aadhaar. However, if an NRI holds an Aadhaar card (issued when they were resident), linking is required unless an exemption applies.

Yes. OCI cardholders who are foreign citizens apply for PAN using Form 49AA. The OCI card serves as identity proof. The process is the same as for other foreign nationals with Indian-origin connections. PAN can be obtained and used for Indian income tax filing, NRO account operations and property transactions regardless of whether you hold an Indian passport.

Under Section 206AA, if PAN is not furnished to the deductor, TDS is deducted at 20% or the applicable rate — whichever is higher. For NRIs whose treaty rate may be 10-15%, or whose standard rate is lower, the absence of PAN leads to significant excess TDS deduction. Filing a return with a valid PAN allows you to claim the excess TDS as a refund.

Yes. The PAN application process can be completed entirely from abroad using the online portals of NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL. Documents need to be attested and the form submitted online with payment. The PAN card can be delivered to your foreign address or to an Indian address of your choice. We guide you through the entire process remotely.

Contact N D Savla & Associates in Panaji, Goa. We assist NRIs worldwide with PAN applications (Form 49A and 49AA), document checklist, attested submission, corrections to existing PAN data and income tax portal registration — so your PAN is ready for your Indian financial and tax transactions.