NRI Income Tax & Compliance
Income Tax Notice to Salaried EmployeesIncome Tax Notice to Salaried Employees
Written by Hatim Dudhiyawala
NRI Income Tax & Compliance
How to Register PAN on the New Income Tax e-Filing Portal?
Written by Hatim Dudhiyawala
The NRI PAN registration can be done through the income tax portal. The PAN registration process takes less than 10 minutes if you have everything prepared beforehand. You will need an active email ID, mobile number, Aadhaar, PAN card, and pre-validated NRO bank accounts. However, NRIs without an Aadhaar card can still register on the portal. They just need to select their residential status as 'Non-Resident' during registration.
Moreover, do you know that without PAN registration, you may be prohibited from doing several activities? Keep reading to learn which activities you cannot do without registering, and the process for registering a PAN in the income tax e-filing portal.
Key Takeaways
- Holding a PAN means you have a permanent account number issued by the Income Tax Department. Conversely, registering a PAN creates a login account linked to that PAN.
- Registering a PAN card on the income tax portal is crucial for filing returns, tracking refunds, and managing your tax profile online.
- Before registering for PAN, you will need an active mobile number (Indian or foreign), email address, PAN card details, NRO bank account details, and a clear browser cache.
- An NRI without an Aadhaar can also register on the portal by selecting residential status as 'Non-Resident' during registration.
Why is Registering a PAN on the e-Filing Portal Important?
Holding a PAN card and registering it on the e-filing portal are two different things. Having a PAN card means you have a permanent account number issued by the Income Tax Department. Conversely, registering on the e-filing portal means creating a login account linked to that PAN. It gives you access to file returns, track refunds, and handle your tax profile online.
Without registering the PAN on the portal, you are not allowed to:
- Respond to income tax notices digitally
- File your Indian income tax return online
- Claim a refund of the excess TDS deducted in India
- Download Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement
- Submit Form 10F or claim benefits of the DTAA treaty online
- Pre-validate your NRO bank account for refunds
For NRIs living abroad, the e-filing portal is the only useful way to manage Indian tax obligations without traveling all the way to India.
Before moving further with the registration process, there are a few things that you must keep ready. Let's see what all things you must keep handy before moving starting the registration process.
Stop Handling Your NRI Taxation Alone
Connect with Savetaxs and manage your tax obligations easily from start to finish
Checklist Before Registering PAN on the e-Filing Portal
Keep the following checklist ready before proceeding with the income tax e-filing portal registration:
- An active email address for verification
- Aadhaar linked to PAN (if you hold both)
- PAN card details, including number, name, and date of birth
- Active mobile number to receive OTP. It can be either Indian or foreign.
- NRO bank account details for pre-validation after registration
- Cleared browser cache to ensure a smooth experience on the portal
Remember that NRIs without an Aadhaar card can also register on the portal. Ensure to select your residential status as non-resident during registration. It is not mandatory to have an Aadhaar for NRI registration. However, if you hold one, you must link both PAN and Aadhaar.
Moving further, let's now learn how to register PAN on the income tax portal.
What Are the Steps to Register PAN on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal?
Follow the steps below to register PAN on the income tax e-filing portal:
- Step 1: Access the e-Filing Portal: Visit the official income tax e-filing portal. On the homepage, click on the 'Register' button in the top right corner.
- Step 2: Choose the User Type: On the registration page, select your user type. You will see various options for the taxpayer type to choose from; select 'Individual'. After that, enter your PAN number and click on 'Validate'.
- Step 3: Enter Basic Details: Fill in the required basic details as per your PAN card. It can include your full name, birth date, gender, and residential status. Ensure you enter the details accurately, without any mismatches. Any mismatch can cause a validation error.
- Step 4: Receive OTP for Verification: Enter your active mobile number and email address. If you don't have an Indian number, you can use a foreign mobile number. Click on 'Continue'. Then, enter both OTPs received on the provided mobile number and email address for verification.
- Step 5: Set Your Password: Create a strong password for your e-filing account. The password must have a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
You will also be asked to set a secret question and answer. It will be used to recover your account if you forget your password. - Step 6: Complete Registration: Now, click on the 'Register' button to complete the registration process. The screen will display a confirmation message and you will also receive a confirmation email at your registered email address.
Your PAN is now registered on the income tax e-filing portal. You can now use your PAN as the user ID and the password to log in.
Moreover, when you log in for the first time, go to my profile → my bank accounts. Add your NRO account details and complete the pre-validation. Completing this step is important to receive any TDS refund directly into your Indian bank account.
Even though the registration process is straightforward, you may encounter some issues. Let's discuss some common issues you may encounter when registering for a PAN on the portal.
What are the Common Issues While Registering PAN on the Portal?
The table below lists the common issues/errors an individual may face during registration, along with the cause and solution:
| Error/Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| PAN already registered | Your PAN is already registered on the portal | Use the forgot password option to recover your existing account |
| Details don't match the PAN records | The provided information, like name and birth date are different from the PAN card | Ensure to enter details exactly as per your PAN card. |
| OTP not received on a foreign number | There may be an issue with the network or portal with international numbers | Contact the helpdesk and seek assistance |
| Aadhaar validation failed | PAN and Aadhaar are not linked, or there may be a discrepancy | NRIs without an Aadhaar can skip this option by selecting their residential status as 'Non-Resident.' |
| Session timeout during registration | Page left idle for too long | You can start the process again. No data will be saved if the session expires |
| Mobile number already in use | The same number is used to register another PAN | Try using a different active number or contact the income tax helpdesk |
If the issue persists, use the e-filing portal helpdesk at 1800-103-0205 (toll-free from India) or email [email protected] for assistance.
NRI Tax Filing Made Easy
Respond to tax notices, file ITR on time, fix refund delays, and avoid penalties with Savetaxs
The Bottom Line
For any NRI managing Indian tax obligations from abroad, registering PAN on the income tax e-filing portal is crucial. Without it, you will not be able to claim TDS refunds, file your ITR, download tax documents, or access DTAA benefits online. NRIs can register their PAN on the income tax e-filing portal easily. If you are expecting a tax refund, ensure that an eligible bank account is added and validated on the portal so that refunds can be credited smoothly.
Moreover, as an NRI, if you wish to register a PAN and are seeking assistance for the same, Savetaxs is the ideal choice for you. At Savetaxs, we have an entire team of professionals who can assist you with the PAN registration process by handling everything online. Our team can even help with new PAN card applications, PAN card updation, and also Aadhaar-PAN linking.
Connect with us right away and ensure the process is easy and compliant, while avoiding any delays.
Glossary
- Annual Information Statement: Annual Information Statement Includes Taxpayers' Information, Including Securities, Interests, Dividends, and Transactions.
- Income Tax: Income Tax, a Type of Direct Tax, is Imposed by the Government on the Income of Individuals or Organisations.
- Income Tax Department: Income Tax Department, a Part of the Indian Government, Handles the Levying and Collection of the Tax.
- Income Tax Return: Income Tax Return, Filed by Taxpayers, Contains a Formal Record of the Collected Tax by the Government.
- Taxation: Taxation, the Process of Collecting Revenue From People, Used to Fund the Public Services by the Government.
- Tax Refund: A tax refund is a process to get the tax refunds whenever any taxpayer has paid extra taxes beyond their actual liabilities.
Related Articles
- Income Tax Notice Reply Format
- SaveTaxs vs ClearTax for NRI Tax Filing: Which Platform Is Better in 2026?
- Income Tax Refund: How To Claim, Track Status, & Maximize Refund
- Income Tax Notice After Buying Land? Here is Why and What You Need to Do
- Time Limit for Issuing Income Tax Notices in India
- How To Authenticate & Check A Notice Or Order Issued By ITD
- ITR Filing 2026-27: Complete Guide to New Disclosures & Key Changes
- Income Tax E-Verification (EVC): How Can I E-verify ITR For FY 2025-26
Disclaimer
Note: This guide is for information purposes only. The views expressed in this guide are personal and do not constitute the views of Savetaxs. Savetaxs or the author will not be responsible for any direct or indirect loss incurred by the reader for taking any decision based on the information or the contents. It is advisable to consult either a CA, CS, CPA or a professional tax expert from the Savetaxs team, as they are familiar with the current regulations and help you make accurate decisions and maintain accuracy throughout the whole process.
About Author
Hatim Dudhiyawala is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with SaveTaxs and specializes in Indian and NRI taxation. He advises individuals, NRIs, and businesses on income tax filing, capital gains taxation, DTAA benefits, fund repatriation, and tax compliance. With experience in cross-border tax matters, Hatim helps taxpayers understand complex regulations and make informed decisions. Through his articles, he shares practical insights to help readers stay compliant and manage their tax obligations with confidence.
Recent Post
Want to read more? Explore Blogs
NRI Income Tax & Compliance
Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Between India and Korea Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Between India and Korea
Written by Hatim Dudhiyawala
_1782219386740.webp&w=828&q=75)
NRI Income Tax & Compliance
Complete Tax Calendar For NRIs In Tax Year 2026-27Complete Tax Calendar For NRIs In Tax Year 2026-27
Written by Hatim Dudhiyawala
NRI Income Tax & Compliance
Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Between India and Philippines Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Between India and Philippines
Written by Hatim Dudhiyawala
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, NRIs, even without an Aadhaar card, can register on the portal by selecting non-resident as their residential status. The Aadhaar card is not mandatory for NRI registration.
A PAN card is a physical or digital card issued by the Income Tax Department. Conversely, registering on the e-filing portal means creating an online login account that is linked to your PAN. It provides you access to file ITR, monitor refunds, and manage tax services online. The steps for a new PAN application and registration are different.
Yes, you can use foreign mobile numbers for registration. The portal accepts foreign numbers for OTP verification. In case the OTP is not received on a foreign number, you can use the email OTP option as an alternative.
On the login page, click on the 'Forgot Password' option. You will get the option to reset your password using OTP verification either through your registered mobile number or via email address.
NRIs must pre-validate their NRO account on the e-filing portal for receiving Indian income tax refunds. NRE accounts are usually not accepted for a tax refund credit.