Permanent account number is a national identification number, issued to all taxpayers of India whose income is taxable. This number is issued by the Income Tax office.

The PAN is Unique, National and Permanent.

Eligibility to obtain PAN:

Every person whose taxable income exceeds the basic exemption limit during an accounting year, is required to obtain Permanent Account Number (PAN) once for ever. An individual carrying on any business or profession whose total sales, turnover or gross receipts are or is likely to exceed five lakh rupees in any previous year or who is required to furnish a return of income under sub-section (4A) of section 139 may apply to the Assessing Officer for PAN.

PAN is given once for ever by making an application in Form 49A, before 31st May of the assessment year .

Further, the following persons are required to have PAN :

1. Exporters and importers, who are required to obtain an importer-exporter code.

2. Persons registered under the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 or the general sales tax law of the appropriate State or Union Territory.

All existing assessees who have not been allotted a Permanent Account Number under the new 10-digit alpha-numeric series, are also required to apply for a Permanent Account Number under the new series to the concerned Assessing Officer.