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What is the AO Code for PAN Card?

  • Writer: Rajesh Kumar Kar
    Rajesh Kumar Kar
  • 5 days ago
  • 7 min read

In India, income tax returns must be filed by any organisation that conducts business, renders services, and makes money. A PAN card is required to file an ITR. In order to conduct other high-value transactions, such as purchasing real estate or gold with cash for a larger sum, a PAN card is also necessary. An income tax officer whose authority the assessee falls under, according to the income tax ward or circle, evaluates the ITRs that taxpayers file. Every Assessing Officer has been designated an AO code. Here is some important information about the PAN card's AO code, including its components and significance.

Table of Contents

What is the AO Code for PAN Card?

An individual PAN card's Assessing Officer is identified by the AO code. This code, in other words, specifies the tax jurisdiction that would apply to the PAN card application. As a result, the Income Tax Department uses the AO code on a PAN card to help determine the taxpayer and the applicable tax regulations. For example, if the applicant is a person, they must pay taxes according to certain regulations. However, if they are an organisation, the tax slab rates may be different. Citizens may differ in this way, and different tax laws may apply to different people depending on their occupations. Therefore, it is essential to indicate the correct AO code to guarantee that every person and business is taxed in accordance with the relevant legislation.


Components of an AO Code

Each region is given a different Assessing Officer to evaluate the taxes paid by the local population. As a result, AO codes aid in locating the AO offices and police in our area. There are four parts to an AO code. They are as follows:


  • Area Code: A code with three letters is assigned to a person or business as an identification of their geographic location.

  • AO Type: This type assists the tax department in determining whether the bearer of the PAN card is an individual, corporate, service worker, or non-resident of India.

  • Range Type: Based on their real address, each PAN cardholder is given a Range Type to identify the ward or circle in which they reside.

  • AO Number: The AO number is a numerical value published by NSDL.


Type of AO Codes for PAN Cards

There are four different types of AO codes that are used to identify people or businesses and connect them to the appropriate tax laws. Here is a brief overview of them:


  • International Taxation: This pertains to people and companies that are not Indian citizens or who are not based in India and are applying for a PAN card.

  • Non-International Taxation (beyond Mumbai): These are AO codes for people and businesses that live or are registered in Mumbai.

  • Non-International Taxation (Mumbai): It includes a list of AO codes that apply to Indian citizens and companies that are headquartered outside of Mumbai.

  • Defence Personnel: An individual can be recognised as an Indian Army or Air Force member using these AO codes. There are only two types of codes: one for the Air Force and one for the Army.


How is the AO Code for PAN Determined?

The residence of the applicant and the jurisdiction of the Income Tax Assessing Officer decide the AO code for a PAN card. The following criteria are used to establish the AO code:


  • Your residential address will determine your AO code if you are an individual with income other than a salary.

  • Your AO code will correspond to your official address if you are an individual taxpayer who is entirely dependent on your salary or a combination of your salary and company revenues.

  • Your AO code will match your office address depending on whether you are a joint firm, HUF, LLP, trust, body of individuals, etc.

  • Your AO code, if you are an Army member, will be as follows:

Description

Area code

AO type

Range code

AO No.

ITO WARD 4(3),GHQ,PNE

PNE

W

55

3


  • The following is your AO code if you are in the Air Force:

Description

Area Code

AO Type

Range Code

AO No.

ITO WARD 42(2)

DEL

W

72

2


Steps to Find AO Code for PAN Card Online

There is no difficult process involved in determining the AO code for your PAN. It can be checked in several ways. All you have to do is take the actions listed below:


Through the NSDL website

The detailed instructions for using NSDL to verify a PAN card's AO Code are as follows:


Step 1: Go to the website of NSDL.

Step 2: To find your city, scroll down and select the appropriate alphabet.

Step 3: You will be taken to a new website with a list of various city names. Select the city that you currently belong to.

Step 4: This new page shows the AO number, AO type, area code, and range code for you to check.


Using the UTIITSL website

The detailed instructions for using UTIITSL to check a PAN card's AO Code are as follows:


Step 1: Go to the website of UTIITSL.

Step 2: Click 'PAN Card Services' and then select 'Search for AO Code Details'.

Step 3: Click 'View Details' after reading the instructions and selecting the AO code type.

Step 4: Select the appropriate alphabet from the drop-down list to determine the city name.

Step 5: Pick the city you want. The screen will show the information about the AO code.


Using the Income Tax Portal

If you have a PAN card and want to find out your PAN AO code, follow these steps to do an AO code search:


Step 1: Go to the website for income tax e-filing.

Step 2: Under the "Quick Links" section, select the "Know Your AO" option.

Step 3: Click "Continue" after entering your PAN and mobile number.

Step 4: After inputting the OTP that was texted to your mobile number, click "Validate".


The PAN card status will be shown together with the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer Details, which include the area code, range code, AO number, and AO type.


Steps to Migrate PAN Card AO Code

The following procedures can let you relocate your AO code when you move offices or residences:


Step 1: Send an application explaining the change, such as an address change, to your existing AO.

Step 2: Write a request for the new AO to apply for the current AO's change.

Step 3: The current AO has to approve the application.

Step 4: The application will be sent to the Income Tax Commissioner upon approval.

Step 5: The AO is modified following the Commissioner's approval.


AO Code for Top Cities in India

The links to the AO codes for the major Indian cities are as follows:


Conclusion

The PAN card's AO code, which is a special combination of the Area code, AO Type, Range code, and AO Number, is an important piece of information. These codes educate the appropriate tax authorities about the tax laws that are applicable to a person who lives in a particular country. You can contact your local income tax office or look for your AO code online.


FAQs

1. Can the AO code be changed?

A PAN's AO code may vary over time. The applicant must get in touch with the local Income Tax Office in such a case in order to find out the AO Code and the current Assessing Officer.


2. What is the PAN area code for a non-employed person?

An unemployed person does not receive an AO code on their PAN card. The candidate may, however, accept a salary below a predetermined threshold.


3. What will be the AO Code for students?

There is no AO code for students. However, a student may choose to omit the NSDL or UTI AO Codes when applying for a PAN Card. The code will be assigned according to the postal code.


4. How many different kinds of AO codes exist?

Businesses and individuals can be identified using the four main AO codes, which connect them to the appropriate tax laws.


5. How can I find my PAN area code?

You can find your area code by calling the IT department or accessing the NSDL website. You must provide your PAN information to determine your area code.


6. What is the default AO Code?

The default AO Code for each city is shown in the highlighted record. Depending on the PIN code, assessee category, geography, etc., some cities may have a large number of default AO codes for new assessees. The default AO Code of the city where the applicant files or intends to file the TDS return may be used if the applicant is unsure about their Ward, Circle, Range, or Commissioner data.


7. How can I find my PAN area code?

Your area code can be found by visiting the Protean eGov Technologies Limited website or by contacting the tax department. To get your area code, you will need to enter your PAN information.


8. What are W and C in AO Code?

The letters W and C in AO Code represent ward and circle, respectively.


9. Is the AO code mandatory for a PAN Card?

Yes, AO Code is mandatory for the PAN Card application process.


10. Can I leave my AO Code blank?

Unemployed people may select a salary below a specific threshold and leave the AO section empty.


11. Is the AO code for PAN and TAN the same?

TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number), TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number) and PAN (Permanent Account Number) applications require the Assessing Officer Code (AO Code). The Applicant must be aware of his/her AO Code to determine the tax jurisdiction under which he/she will fall.


12. Does AO code matter?

All candidates must submit the AO code in their PAN application. The applicant ought to select the AO code that corresponds to their jurisdiction. It is recommended that applicants choose their AO codes carefully.


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