Income Tax Act, 2025  ·  Chapter XV — Assessment  ·  Section 262

Section 262
Permanent Account Number

IT Act 2025 Chapter XV Effective 1 April 2026 Old: 139A
New Provision
Section 262, IT Act 2025
Replaces (IT Act 1961)
139A
Chapter
Chapter XV — Assessment
Effective From
1 April 2026
Statutory Text — Section 262

very person who has not been allotted a Permanent Account Number shall, within such time as may be prescribed, apply to the Assessing Officer for its allotment if he fulfils any of the following conditions:— (a) his total income or the total income of any other person for which he is assessable under this Act during any tax year exceeded the maximum amount not chargeable to income-tax; or (b) he is carrying on any business or profession whose total sales, turnover or gross receipts are or is likely to exceed ₹ 500000 in any tax year; or (c) he is required to furnish a return of income under section 263 for any tax year; or (d) he is a resident, other than an individual, which enters into a financial transaction aggregating to ₹ 250000 or more in a tax year; or (e) he is the managing director, director, partner, trustee, author, founder, karta, chief executive officer, principal officer or office bearer of the person referred to in clause (d) or any person competent to act on behalf of the person referred to in clause (d); or (f) he intends to enter into such transaction as may be prescribed by the Board in the interest of revenue. (2) Any person, not covered under sub-section (1) may apply to the Assessing Officer for the allotment of a Permanent Account Number after which the Assessing Officer shall allot a Permanent Account Number to such person. (3) Every person shall quote Permanent Account Number in all his returns to, or correspondence with, any income-tax authority and in all challans for the payment of any sum due under this Act. (4) Every person shall intimate the Assessing Officer of any change in his address or in the name and nature of his business on the basis of which the Permanent Account Number was allotted to him. (5) Every person who is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number shall quote such number in the application form for allotment of Permanent Account Number and in the return of income. (6)(a) For the cases other than sub-section (5), every person who has been allotted Permanent Account Number and who is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number, shall intimate his Aadhaar number to the prescribed income-tax authority in such form and manner, as may be prescribed; (b) if a person fails to intimate his Aadhaar number as per clause (a), the Permanent Account Number allotted to that person shall be made inoperative in such manner as may be prescribed.

(7) Every person who is required to furnish or intimate or quote his Permanent Account Number under this Act, and who— (a) has not been allotted a Permanent Account Number but possesses the Aadhaar number, may furnish or intimate or quote his Aadhaar number in lieu of the Permanent Account Number, and such person shall be allotted a Permanent Account Number in the manner, as may be prescribed; (b) has been allotted a Permanent Account Number, and who has intimated his Aadhaar number as per sub-section (6) may furnish or intimate or quote his Aadhaar number in lieu of the Permanent Account Number. (8) A person who has already been allotted a Permanent Account Number cannot apply, obtain or possess another Permanent Account Number. (9)(a) Every person entering into such transaction, as may be prescribed, shall quote his Permanent Account Number or Aadhaar number, in the documents pertaining to such transactions and also authenticate such Permanent Account Number or Aadhaar number, in the manner, as may be prescribed; (b) every person receiving any document relating to the transactions referred to in clause (a), shall ensure that Permanent Account Number or Aadhaar number, has been duly quoted in such document and that such Permanent Account Number or Aadhaar number is authenticated as may be prescribed. (10) The Board may make rules providing for— (a) the form, manner and time in which an application may be made for the allotment of Permanent Account Number and the particulars which such application shall contain; (b) class or classes of persons who shall be required to apply for allotment of Permanent Account Number; (c) categories of documents pertaining to business or profession in which Permanent Account Number shall be quoted by every person; (d) the form and manner in which the person who has not been allotted a Permanent Account Number shall make his declaration; (e) manner of authentication of Permanent Account Number or Aadhaar number; (f) class or classes of persons to whom the provisions of this section shall not apply having regard to the transactions or the circumstances. (11)(a) The Central Government may, by notification, specify any class or classes of persons who shall apply to the Assessing Officer for the allotment of Permanent Account Number within such time as mentioned in such notification; (b) the class or classes of persons in clause (a) may include such persons–– (i) by whom tax is payable under this Act; or (ii) by whom any tax or duty is payable under any other law in force; or

Shahi & Co. — Our Understanding
This section falls under Chapter XV which governs the assessment process — how the Income Tax Department examines, processes, and finalises your tax return.
Practical Note: Understanding assessment provisions is important for responding to notices and maintaining proper records. The faceless assessment scheme (Section 273) continues under the new Act, requiring all responses through the online portal.
Shahi & Co., Chartered Accountants
Need guidance on Section 262?
Our Direct Tax team advises individuals, businesses, and start-ups on all provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2025. We help you navigate the transition from the old Act with zero disruption to your compliance calendar.
Consult Our Tax Team →
← Previous
Section 261: Interpretation
Next →
Section 263: Return of income
← Full IT Act 2025 Index ESOP Taxation Guide TDS under IT Act 2025 NRI Residency Rules
Disclaimer: This is a reproduction of Section 262 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 (No. 30 of 2025) as published in the Official Gazette of India (CG-DL-E-22082025-265620) for informational and reference purposes only. Shahi & Co., Chartered Accountants makes no warranty as to completeness or accuracy. For the official authenticated text refer to egazette.gov.in or incometaxindia.gov.in. This does not constitute legal or tax advice.