PAN Card Validator
Verify any PAN number format and decode entity type, name initial, and jurisdiction instantly.
PAN card verification starts with checking the 10-character format. Enter any PAN and this tool confirms whether it matches the Income Tax Department's pattern. A valid PAN decodes the entity type: individual, company, HUF, firm, trust, or government body. The fifth character reveals the taxpayer's name initial. All checks run entirely in your browser. Free, no signup required.
Jurisdiction (3) + Entity (1) + Initial (1) + Sequence (4) + Check (1)
0/10Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a PAN card number?
- A PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India. Every taxpayer in India receives one: individual, company, HUF, firm, or trust. PAN is mandatory for filing taxes, opening bank accounts, and any transaction above ₹50,000.
- How do I verify a PAN number online?
- Enter the 10-character PAN in this tool. It validates the format and decodes the entity type, name initial, and jurisdiction code instantly. For active registration status and taxpayer name, use the Income Tax Department portal at incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.
- What does each character in a PAN number mean?
- A PAN has 10 characters. The first three letters are the jurisdiction code assigned by the IT Department. The fourth letter identifies entity type: P for individual, C for company, H for HUF. The fifth letter is the first letter of the taxpayer's last name. Characters 6 to 9 are a sequence number. The tenth is a check letter.
- Can two people have the same PAN number?
- No. Each PAN is unique to one taxpayer. Holding more than one PAN is a criminal offence under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act. The penalty is ₹10,000. Receiving a duplicate by error is not uncommon. Surrender the extra one to your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer.
- What is the difference between PAN and TAN?
- PAN is a 10-character number for taxpayers who earn or invest. TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number) is a 10-character number for entities that deduct TDS or collect TCS. Both are issued by the IT Department but serve different purposes. Most individuals only need a PAN.
- Why does my PAN show as invalid even though it was issued to me?
- Format is all this tool checks. The most common causes of an invalid result are a typo or an OCR error from scanning. Copy the PAN directly from your e-PAN PDF, PAN card, or Form 26AS. Confirm all 10 characters match.
What is PAN Card Validator?
PAN card verification tools check whether a PAN number follows the 10-character format defined by the Income Tax Department. PAN stands for Permanent Account Number. Every taxpayer in India receives one: individuals, companies, Hindu Undivided Families, and trusts alike. Banks, employers, and government agencies use PAN to track financial transactions and tax filings.
Format validation runs entirely in your browser. No PAN is sent to any server.
How does it work?
A PAN has a fixed 10-character structure. The first three characters are uppercase letters forming the jurisdiction code assigned by the Assessing Officer. The fourth character identifies the entity type. P stands for individual, C for company, H for Hindu Undivided Family, F for firm or partnership. Trusts use T, bodies of individuals use B, local authorities use L. Artificial juridical persons use J, government entities use G.
For individuals, the fifth character is the first letter of their last name. For companies and other entities, the fifth character is the first letter of the organisation name. Characters six through nine form a four-digit sequence number. The tenth character is a check letter assigned by the IT Department.
PAN has no published check-digit algorithm. Format validation confirms the structure is correct. Only the IT Department's database can confirm whether the PAN is active and linked to a registered taxpayer.
PAN Card Validator in India
India has over 700 million PAN cards in circulation. PAN is mandatory for income tax filing, opening a bank account, and purchasing mutual funds. Any cash transaction above ₹50,000 also requires a PAN. Property purchases and sales, credit card applications, and salary above the basic exemption limit all require one too.
Holding more than one PAN is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act. The penalty is ₹10,000. Receiving a duplicate by error is not uncommon. Surrender the extra one to your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer.
Form 26AS consolidates all financial activity under your PAN. TDS deductions, advance tax payments, capital gains, and refunds all appear there. Errors in a PAN on official documents can delay refunds or trigger mismatches during return processing.
Tips to get the best results
- A valid result here confirms the format only. Active status requires verification on the IT Department's e-filing portal to confirm the taxpayer name and registration.
- Copy the PAN directly from your e-PAN PDF, PAN card, or Form 26AS. Manual retyping introduces transposition errors that are easy to miss.
- The fourth character reveals entity type. If a vendor's fourth character shows C (company) but the vendor claims to be an individual, investigate before paying.
- OCR errors are common when scanning PAN cards. The letter O is frequently mistaken for digit 0, and the letter I for digit 1. Check these first if a scanned PAN fails validation.