Understanding and Choosing Your AO Code for PAN Card Applications

When applying for a new Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, one significant detail you need to provide is the Assessing Officer (AO) code. This code is located at the top of the PAN application form and helps to identify the tax jurisdiction under which the individual will be assessed. The abbreviation AO stands for Assessing Officer.

What is the AO Code?

The AO Code is a unique identifier assigned to a specific tax jurisdiction within the Income Tax Department. It is crucial for individuals applying for a PAN card as it specifies the tax authority that will oversee their tax-related matters. Individuals need to find this code based on certain criteria:

Whether they are an earning or non-earning individual Their place of residence (specifically the pincode) The first letter of their name

For first-time applicants, the AO Code column may initially be left blank, and the Income Tax Department will fill it in later based on the provided information such as city, part of the city, type of income, first initial of the name, and income level.

Changes and Future Relevance

Starting from October 1, 2019, with the implementation of the faceless assessment system, the importance and relevance of the AO Code will diminish. Under this new system, the purpose of the AO Code will become obsolete, and individuals will no longer need to manually identify or provide this code during the application process.

Current Process and Automated Filling

As of now, you do not need to worry about the AO Code while applying for a PAN card. Simply leave this column blank, and the Income Tax Department will automatically fill it in once your application is processed. If you need to locate your AO Code, you can refer to the PAN card of a family member who has already applied for a card, as family members typically share the same AO code.

Relevant Information and Support

For further clarification on the AO code and its significance, you can refer to the official channels maintained by the Income Tax Department. For instance, NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) provides information on jurisdiction codes, such as Area Code, Range code, which indicate the specific jurisdiction or ward under which you will be assessed.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact a support representative. You can reach out via the following email: anubhavjain441@