Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten digit alphanumeric number, which is issued by the Income Tax Department in the form of laminated card as PAN enables the department to link all kinds of transactions of the person with the department. Transactions include tax payments, TDS/TCS credits, returns of income/wealth/gift/FBT, specified transactions, correspondence, etc.

PAN helps the department in maintaining a fair record of every persons transactions through a ten digit number in order to avoid tax evasion in any case.