Permanent Account Number or PAN is a means of
identifying various taxpayers in the country. Pan Card is a 10-digit unique
identification alphanumeric number (containing both alphabets and numbers)
assigned to Indians, mostly to those who pay tax.
The
PAN system of identification is a computer-based system that assigns unique
identification number to every Indian tax paying entity. Through this method,
all tax-related information for a person is recorded against a single PAN
number which acts as the primary key for storage of information. This is shared
across the country and hence no two people on tax paying entities can have the
same PAN.
When
PAN is allotted to an entity, PAN Card too is given by the Income Tax
Department. While PAN is a number, PAN Card is a physical card that has your
PAN as well as name, date of birth (DoB), father’s or spouse’s name, and
photograph. Copies of this card can be submitted as proof of identity or DoB.
Your
PAN Card is valid for lifetime because it is unaffected by any change in
address.