PAN Validator — Format & Structure Check
A Permanent Account Number is a 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department. Its structure is fixed, so most typing errors can be caught instantly without calling any government API. This validator checks the pattern, decodes what the fourth character says about the holder, and optionally confirms that the fifth character matches the holder's surname or entity name.
Anatomy of a PAN: AAAPL1234C
- Characters 1–3 — alphabetic series running from AAA to ZZZ
- Character 4 — type of holder: P Individual, C Company, H HUF, F Firm/LLP, A AOP, B BOI, T Trust, G Government, L Local authority, J Artificial juridical person
- Character 5 — first letter of the surname (individuals) or of the entity name (others)
- Characters 6–9 — sequential number from 0001 to 9999
- Character 10 — alphabetic check character
Worked example
PAN ABCPS1234D for "Ramesh Kumar Sharma": length 10 ✔, first five letters ✔, four digits ✔, last letter ✔; fourth character P = Individual; fifth character S matches the surname Sharma. Result: valid format. A PAN like ABCDE1234F fails because D is not a recognised holder-type code, and ABCPS12345 fails because the last character must be a letter.
Why validate PAN
- Quoting an invalid PAN in TDS returns leads to defaults and TDS at 20% u/s 206AA.
- Penalty u/s 272B of ₹10,000 applies for furnishing an incorrect PAN.
- Vendor onboarding, KYC and GST registration all require a structurally valid PAN — a GSTIN embeds the PAN in characters 3 to 12.
Limits of a format check
This tool confirms structure only. It cannot tell whether the PAN is actually allotted, active, or linked with Aadhaar. For that, use "Verify Your PAN" on the Income Tax e-filing portal or the bulk PAN verification facility on TRACES. PANs not linked with Aadhaar become inoperative and attract higher TDS/TCS rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 4th letter of PAN mean?
It identifies the holder type: P for individual, C for company, H for HUF, F for firm or LLP, A for AOP, B for BOI, T for trust, G for government, L for local authority and J for artificial juridical person.
What is the 5th character of PAN?
For individuals it is the first letter of the surname (last name as recorded with the department); for companies, firms, trusts and others it is the first letter of the entity name.
Can this tool tell me if a PAN is genuine?
No. It verifies only the format and internal logic. To confirm that a PAN exists and is active, use the Verify PAN service on the income-tax e-filing portal.
What happens if PAN is not linked to Aadhaar?
The PAN becomes inoperative: TDS and TCS are deducted at higher rates, refunds are withheld and the PAN cannot be quoted for many transactions until linking is completed with the prescribed fee.
Disclaimer: This tool is for general information and estimation only. Tax rates and rules change — verify with official sources or a professional before acting. Read full disclaimer.