The Statutory Brief

IT Act 1961 → 2025 / Section 139A

Returns & assessment

Section 139A → Section 262

Permanent Account Number (PAN): who must apply and where it must be quoted

Section 139A of the old Income-tax Act, 1961 · new section 262 under the Income-tax Act, 2025

New reference Section 262

Income-tax Act, 1961Section 139A

  • Persons with taxable income, businesses above turnover limits, trusts and others must obtain PAN
  • PAN–Aadhaar linking and interchangeability of Aadhaar for PAN
  • PAN to be quoted in returns, prescribed transactions and correspondence

Applies to FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) and earlier years.

Income-tax Act, 2025Section 262

  • Same obligations, now section 262
  • Allotment of PAN by the Assessing Officer, including suo motu allotment
  • Quoting requirements for prescribed transactions continue

Applies from tax year 2026-27 (from 1 April 2026).

What changed

Renumbered. The PAN framework carries over; transaction-quoting details continue to be prescribed by rules.

Practice notes

  • Old 139A sat next to the return provision; in the 2025 Act PAN (262) also comes just before the return section (263).
  • Higher TDS/TCS where PAN is not furnished is now in section 397(2) (old 206AA/206CC).

These are summaries, not the statutory text. Read the bare Act for both sections on the Income Tax Department's official site, which also has a side-by-side comparison utility.

Frequently asked

Which section covers PAN in the new Income Tax Act 2025?

Section 262 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (old section 139A). Higher TDS/TCS for non-furnishing of PAN is in section 397(2).

What is section 139A called in the new Income-tax Act, 2025?

Section 139A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 corresponds to Section 262 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, which applies from 1 April 2026 (tax year 2026-27).

What changed in section 139A under the new Income Tax Act?

Renumbered. The PAN framework carries over; transaction-quoting details continue to be prescribed by rules.

Is section 139A still applicable for FY 2025-26?

Yes. Income of FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) and earlier years is governed by section 139A of the 1961 Act. Section 262 of the 2025 Act applies from tax year 2026-27.

Related sections

139→263Return of income: original, belated, revised, updated and defective returns140A→266Self-assessment tax: paying the balance tax, interest and fee before filing the return143→270Processing of returns (intimation) and scrutiny assessment