Employees Provident Fund Organisation under the Ministry of Labour Employment has launched a Unified portal where you can get all your EPF-related queries answered and handle transactions. This portal generates a Universal Account Number (UAN), often a PF number, that encapsulates all the linked EPF accounts.

EPFO permits the linking of PAN Cards with EPF accounts for the convenience of its users and to allow employees to avail themselves of several EPFO services.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to set up this link that will make it easier for employees, self-employed people, and pensioners to access financial services.

Linking your PAN to an EPF account is a wise move with several advantages that any rational person would embrace. To begin with, it makes it easier to manage your affairs and pay taxes since PAN is one of the essential financial documents that helps track the tax compliance of individuals and businesses in India.

While linking EPF accounts with Aadhaar is compulsory, furnishing PAN and bank account details is also necessary when applying for EPF claims online. However, providing PAN and Bank account details is not mandatory. For those intending to file online claims, updating the Know Your Customer (KYC) details, including the PAN number, is necessary. 

However, it is important to note that if you do not link your PAN number to your EPF account, you can lose nearly 34.60% while availing your final PF withdrawal. However, by linking your PAN, the TDS rate is slashed to merely 10%, thus enabling you to arrive at maximum withdrawal and keep most of your well-earned savings.

The process of linking your PAN with an EPF account is simple; in fact, one can do this online. Follow these concise steps to integrate your PAN with your EPF account seamlessly:

Step 1: Visit the official EPFO website and click the EPFO login link to verify the UAN account number and password. 

Step 2: On the main menu bar, click the “Manage” option and then click on the “KYC” sub-option.

Step 3: Upon clicking this, you will be taken to the “KYC” page, where you will see the document type that needs to be updated. 

Step 4: Scroll down to the “Document Type” available options and find the “PAN” option there. 

Step 5: Please provide your PAN number in Word and the figure as printed on the PAN card. 

Step 6: Make sure that when entering your name, it matches the name mentioned on your PAN card. 

Step 7: After all of the details have been entered and verified, click “Save.” 

Step 8: You must furnish the details mentioned in it to the Income Tax Department; your PAN will be verified, and it will be successfully linked to your EPF account.

Step 9: To cross-verify the linking, go to the EPF official website homepage and navigate to the “Manage Profile” section; check if your linked PAN is showing.

It would be relevant to note that PAN-porting in an EPF account can also be done online. Follow these concise steps to initiate the process:

Step 1: Get the EPF-PAN linking form from your nearest EPFO branch office.

Step 2: Tick the pertinent options on the form and ensure you fill the other fields with factual information, such as your PAN, UAN, and name. 

Step 3: You need to attach a self-attested Xerox copy of your PAN card and UAN and the filled-up form for EPF-PAN linking.

Step 4: After the application is submitted, it will be verified by EPFO officials for its genuineness. If your PAN is approved, the link to your EPF account will be made successfully.

Step 5: Once your linking to EPF-PAN is successful, you will be intimated about the same over the phone and/or email and at every stage of the linking process.

Getting your Provident Fund (PF) account number through a Permanent Account Number (PAN card) is a very simple procedure that can be done through the EPFO online portal. Follow these concise steps to retrieve your PF account number:

Step 1: Enter your login details on EPFO’s online portal.

Step 2: Search For UAN in the search bar, and click on the “Activate UAN” tab.

Step 3: You will be required to input data that comprises Pan, name, date of birth, and mobile number. Also, offer the captcha for validation, as shown below. 

Step 4: Tap on the “Get Authorization PIN” option.

Step 5: You must also enter a One-Time Password (OTP) to be sent to your registered mobile number. Plug this number when requested. 

Step 6: Click on the “Validate OTP and Activate UAN” feature. 

Step 7: On successful validation, you must create a password for UAN, which will be sent to the registered mobile number.

Step 8: Go to the EPFO online portal to log in using the new login details provided. 

Step 9: Go to the “Member Profile” tab at the top of the page; your PF account number will be displayed here.

The EPF is a government-created structure whereby the employer and the employee are expected to save for their retirement. It also helps them plan for their future as it provides a safe and friendly environment, which they can invest in to ensure adequate savings in their later years. 

Benefits for Employers:

• Promotes commitment from the employees, hence fostering employee retention. 

• Contributions are tax-deductible expenses. 

• Selective in securing highly qualified workers with competitive compensation policies.

Benefits for Employees:

• Tax savings on contributions.

• Consistent build-up of the corpus, which is to be utilised during the retirement period. 

• Employers' contribution is another added advantage. 

• Retire with a sourced financial security to finance necessary expenses during retirement. 

• It unlocks the possibility of compounding returns and, therefore, wealth creation. 

• There are no taxes on EPF corpus at the time of withdrawal and no taxes on any interest earned till then.

   

Before presenting the essential steps to achieving the benefits of an online EPF facility, it is necessary to understand the process of linking PAN with EPF account, which is mandatory for all employees looking for enhanced financial advantages. 

Such integration makes the withdrawal process less troublesome, minimises tax cutter, and effectively arranges your financial exchange. Ensure you allocate your time for this task to protect your valuable savings and reap the benefits of a good EPF account.