Income Tax Department
Ministry of Finance, Government of India
Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the Income Tax Department, to any "person" who applies for it or to whom the department allots the number.. see more
An online application can be made from the website of UTIITSL or Protean (formerly NSDL eGov)
Through PAN Application Center - Application for PAN can be submitted at the PAN Application center
Forms
Document Required for PAN Application -see more
By using the Online PAN Verification facility, one can know/verify the Permanent Account Number (PAN). This facility is referred to as "PAN Verification" or "Know Your PAN".. see more
Know Your Assessing Officer see more
PAN obtained once is valid for life-time of the PAN-holder throughout India. It is not affected by change of address or change of Assessing Officer etc. However, any change in the PAN database (i.e. details provided at the time of obtaining PAN) should be intimated to the Income Tax Department by furnishing the details in the form for “Request For New PAN Card Or/ And Changes or Correction in PAN Data”.
A person cannot hold more than one PAN. If a PAN is allotted to a person, then he cannot apply for obtaining another PAN. A penalty of Rs. 10,000/- is liable to be imposed under Section 272B of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for having more than one PAN.
If a person has been allotted more than one PAN then he should immediately surrender the additional PAN card(s).
Yes, you should intimate your PAN to the deductor i.e. person deducting tax. From 1st April, 2010, non-furnishing of PAN to deductors results in TDS at much higher rate of 20% or even more.
Return is to be filed only if you are liable to file return of income under139.
It is not mandatory to file return of income after getting PAN.
Tutorial on Permanent Account Number - see more