What Is An AO Code For PAN Card?

The assessing officer (AO) code for a PAN card is a unique alphanumeric identifier. This identifier indicates the Income Tax Department office about your tax assessment and jurisdiction. This code furthermore ensures that your tax returns and other relevant communications are sent to the right office and the officer responsible for your tax assessment.

Henceforth, while applying for a new PAN card, it is mandatory to provide the correct AO to ensure proper processing.

However, finding the right AO code can be a tricky task. But nowadays, with so many online tools available, you can easily find it. And this is what we will be discussing in this blog: What is an AO code, types of AO codes, how to find the AO code, and more.

What Is An AO Code For The PAN Card?

The AO code means the assessing code for your PAN card. In simpler words, this code tells the Income Tax Department under whose jurisdiction your PAN application will fall. Therefore, this AO code in a PAN card helps the income department identify what tax applies to that particular taxpayer.

Let us understand this entire case with an example.

If an applicant is an individual, he or she will be obliged to pay taxes under the applicable tax rules, but if it is an organization, the tax slab rates might differ.

Hence, to ensure that every company, entity, or individual is taxed correctly and in accordance with the appropriate tax rules, it is essential to use the correct AO code.

Key Components Of the Area Code For PAN

The AO code for PAN Card consists of four main components. Those components include.

• Area Code: The area code indicates the jurisdiction or region of the individual PAN Card and is represented by three letters.
• Range Code: The range code helps you to locate the circle or the ward of the PAN card holder's permanent address.
• AO Type: The type specifies the applicant categories, which can be non-resident, individuals, organisations, or defence personnel.
• AO Number: A unique number assigned to the Assessing Officer.

What Are The Types Of Area Code For PAN Card?

There are four main types of AO codes, used to identify individuals or companies.

International Taxation: This applies to a person or business that is not established in India but seeks a PAN Card.

Non-International Taxation (Mumbai): This assessing officer code applies to businesses and individuals who reside in or are incorporated in Mumbai.

Non-International Taxation (Outside Mumbai): This code applies to individuals and businesses based in India but located in cities other than Mumbai.

Defence Personnel: This applies to individuals who are members of the Indian Air Force or the Indian Army. 

How To Find AO Code For PAN Card Online?

You can find the area code for PAN card at either UTIITSL, NSDL, or via the Income Tax Website.

Through the NSDL Website

Step 1: Go to the NSDL website.

Step 2: Scroll down, then click the alphabet to search for your city.

Step 3: Upon selecting the alphabet, you will be redirected to a new page listing different city names. Now all you have to do is click on the city that you belong to.

Step 4: A new page will appear on the screen, where you can check the code range, AO number, and AO type.

Through the UTIITSL Website

Step 1: Visit the official website of UTIITSL

Step 2: Click the "PAN Card Services " option. Then you will select "Search for AO code Details".

Step 3: Read the guidelines, choose the AO code type, and then click on View Details.

Step 4: Choose your representative city name by selecting the alphabet from the drop-down list.

Step 5: Select the city, and the AO code details will be shown on your screen.

Through the Income Tax Portal

Step 1: Visit the official income tax e-filing website.

Step 2: Click on the Know Your AO option under the Quick Links heading.

Step 3: Enter the PAN and mobile number, then click Continue.

Step 4: Enter the OTP you received on your registered mobile number and click Validate.

Once validation is complete, the jurisdiction-assessing officer details, including the area code, range code, AO number, and AO type, along with the applicant's PAN card status, are displayed on the screen.

Area Code For PAN Of India's Top Cities

Following is a list of the links to AO codes of the top cities in India.

How To Determine The AO Code For PAN Card

Depending on the address of the applicant and the Income Tax assessing officer jurisdiction, you can determine the AO code for a PAN card. The following conditions determine the AO code.

Your AO will depend on your home address if you are an individual earning income other than a salary.

Your AO code will be based on your official address if you are an individual taxpayer who solely depends on income from salary or a combination of wages and business earnings.

If you are a HUF, LLP, trust, body of individuals, partnership form, etc., then your AO code will be as per your office address.

If an individual is an army personnel, their AO code will be as follows.

In case of an air force personnel, your AO code will be as follows:

How To Migrate The Area Code For PAN?

If you change your office or residence, you can migrate the AO code by following these steps.

Step 1: Write a detailed application to your current assessing officer stating the reason for the address change.

Step 2: Then write an application to your new AO requesting that he or she apply for the change to an existing AO.

Step 3: Your current AO must approve the application.

Step 4: Once the current AO approves your application, it will be forwarded to the Income Tax Commissioner.

Step 5: Once the income tax commissioner provides the approval, the AO will be changed.

A PAN card's area code is an important detail that includes a unique combination of Area Code, AO Type, Range Code, and AO Number. These codes provide the tax authorities with all relevant information about the taxpayer and the tax rules applicable to an individual in their jurisdiction.

To know your area code for PAN, you can either search for it online or contact your local income tax office.

The Bottom Line

As an NRI applying for a PAN Card, you need to understand your AO code. It is not just another administrative task but an essential factor in expediting the processing of your PAN application.

However, if you still find the entire process of finding the AO code overwhelming, you can contact an expert in NRI PAN Card services. And when we talk about high-end NRI PAN card services, Savetaxs is the name to trust.

We have been providing NRI PAN Application services for NRIs residing in 90+ countries. From fresh NRI PAN Card application forms online to reprinting PAN Cards, PAN updates and corrections, PAN for foreign nationals, and PAN-Aadhaar linking, we handle it all for our clients.

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