An AO code in PAN card applications identifies the relevant Income Tax Department jurisdiction for your PAN. The AO code for a PAN card has four parts: Area Code, AO Type, Range Code, and AO Number. Selecting the correct code helps route your PAN application to the appropriate jurisdiction. You can find the applicable AO code online through the Income Tax e-filing portal, Protean or UTIITSL. To identify the right code, you may need details such as your address, city, state, and applicant category, along with the AO number for the PAN card.
What is the area code in a PAN card?
The area code for a PAN card is a 3-letter code that identifies the geographic jurisdiction of the Income Tax assessing officer assigned to you. It forms the first part of the AO code and works with the AO Type, Range Code and AO Number. The area code for PAN card application depends on your applicable jurisdiction, so use the official AO search when applying. The area code for PAN can be checked through the Income Tax e-Filing portal, which displays your complete jurisdiction details after PAN and OTP verification.
| City | Area Code |
|---|
| Delhi | DEL |
| Mumbai | MUM |
| Chennai | CHN |
| Bengaluru | BLR |
| Hyderabad | HYD |
What are the components of an AO code?
An AO code for a PAN card has 4 components: Area Code, AO Type, Range Code and AO Number.
| Component | What it represents | Example | Notes |
|---|
| Area Code | Geographic jurisdiction; the area code for PAN card identifies the city or region. | DEL | First component |
| AO Type | Type of assessing officer or jurisdiction. | W (Ward), C (Circle) | Categorises the jurisdiction |
| Range Code | Numeric code identifying the relevant range within a jurisdiction. | 31, 37, 42 | Narrows the applicable office |
| AO Number | Identifies the specific assessing officer. | 1, 2, 3 | The AO number for a PAN card is the final component |
These four components together identify the Income Tax jurisdiction applicable to your PAN.
Why is the AO code important for your PAN application?
The AO code for PAN card applications helps route your request to the appropriate Income Tax Department jurisdiction and assessing officer. Providing the correct code can support smoother processing by directing your application to the right office. Entering an incorrect AO code can cause a routing error, delay processing, or require you to correct the application. Always verify the AO code using your current address and applicant details before submitting your PAN application.
How to find AO code for PAN card online: step-by-step
You can find your AO code using 3 online methods. The area code for PAN card applications can be checked through Protean, UTIITSL or the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Method 1: Protean AO code search for PAN
- Visit the Protean AO search page.
- Select your state, city and applicant category.
- Enter the required jurisdiction details.
Review the displayed Area Code, AO Type, Range Code and AO Number.
Method 2: UTIITSL
- Visit the UTIITSL PAN services portal.
- Open the AO code search option.
- Enter your location and applicant details.
Select the applicable AO code from the results.
Method 3: Income Tax e-filing portal
This is the fastest method and uses OTP-based validation.
- Open the Income Tax e-filing portal.
- Select Know Your JAO.
- Enter your PAN and mobile number.
- Verify the OTP and view your AO code details.
What are the types of AO codes?
There are four main AO code categories for PAN applications. The appropriate category depends on factors such as your residential status, location and taxpayer category.
- International taxation: For individuals who are non-residents under the Income-tax Act and other applicants covered by international taxation rules.
- Non-international taxation (outside Mumbai): For eligible individuals and entities whose tax jurisdiction falls outside the Mumbai region.
- Non-international taxation (Mumbai): For eligible individuals and entities whose tax jurisdiction falls within the Mumbai region.
- Defence personnel: For eligible personnel serving in the Indian Army or Air Force.
If you are a salaried individual living in an Indian city outside Mumbai, your AO code will generally be selected based on your office address. Use the official AO code search facility to identify the appropriate jurisdiction for your PAN application.
How is your AO code determined?
Your AO code is determined by your applicant type and the address you provide, which also helps identify the area code for PAN card applications. The table below explains what is area code in pan card selection for common applicant categories.
| Applicant Type | Address Used | AO Code Category |
|---|
| Individual, non-salaried or income beyond salary | Home address | Non-international taxation |
| Salaried individual or salary + business income | Office address | Non-international taxation |
| HUF, LLP, Partnership Firm, Trust | Office address | Non-international taxation |
| Army personnel | ITO Ward 4(3), GHQ, PNE: Area Code PNE, AO Type W, Range Code 55, AO No. 3 | Defence personnel |
| Air Force personnel | ITO Ward 42(2): Area Code DEL, AO Type W, Range Code 72, AO No. 2 | Defence personnel |
Use the correct AO code for PAN card details when completing your PAN application.
Area code for PAN of top cities in India
The area code for PAN card is part of the Assessing Officer (AO) code used to identify a taxpayer's tax jurisdiction. The correct area code depends on the applicant's location, address and taxpayer category.
| City | Area code details |
|---|
| Delhi | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Mumbai | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Bengaluru | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Chennai | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Kolkata | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Hyderabad | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Pune | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Ahmedabad | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Surat | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Jaipur | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Lucknow | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Patna | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Gurugram | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Chandigarh | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
| Bhopal | Depends on the applicant's address and taxpayer category |
Note: The area code for PAN card is not always the same for every applicant in a city. The correct code depends on the applicable tax jurisdiction and the applicant's details.
How to find area code for PAN card
You can find your area code for PAN card in under 2 minutes using the income tax e-filing website's "Know Your AO" tool. This same tool answers how to find AO code for PAN card, since the AO code and area code are displayed together.
- Visit the income tax e-filing website (incometax.gov.in).
2. Under "Quick Links," click “Know Your AO.”
3. Enter your PAN number and registered mobile number.
4. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number and click “Validate.”
5. Your area code, AO type, range code, AO number, and jurisdiction details will be displayed.
Use Credit Pass to monitor your CIBIL report and understand how your PAN and tax records affect your credit profile.
How to choose AO code for PAN card
Your AO code for PAN card depends on your applicant type and the address linked to your income source, since the tax department assigns jurisdiction differently for salaried individuals, business owners, entities, and defence personnel.
| If you are... | Your AO code is based on... | Address type to use |
|---|
| A salaried individual (salary or salary + business income) | Your employer's location | Office/employer address for area code for PAN card |
| An individual with income other than salary (business, rental, capital gains) | Where you reside | Home/residential address for area code for PAN card |
| A company, HUF, LLP, trust, or government body | Where the entity is registered | Registered office address for area code for PAN card |
| Army or Air Force personnel | A fixed, pre-assigned code | Army: PNE-W-55-3; Air Force: DEL-W-72-2 |
| Unsure which applies to you | Auto-detection via your PAN and mobile number | Use the Know Your AO tool on the Income Tax e-Filing website |
If none of these clearly apply, the Know Your AO tool can help you confirm the appropriate code before applying.
How to check the AO code for PAN?
You can check your AO code for PAN online using the Income Tax e-Filing portal, Protean (NSDL), or UTIITSL. The correct code depends on your tax jurisdiction, address, and taxpayer category.
Using the Income Tax portal
- Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal and select Know Your JAO under Quick Links.
- Enter your PAN and a valid mobile number.
- Verify the 6-digit OTP sent to your mobile number.
- The portal will display your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer details, including the Area Code, AO Type, Range Code, and AO Number.
Using Protean (NSDL)
You can use the official AO Code Search service on the Protean website. Select your city, review the available jurisdictions, and compare the additional description with your address and taxpayer category. Note the complete AO code that matches your jurisdiction.
Using UTIITSL
Visit the UTIITSL website and select Search for AO Code Details under PAN services. Choose the relevant taxpayer category and city to view the applicable AO code information.
For an existing PAN, the Income Tax Know Your JAO service is a direct way to view your current jurisdictional details without logging in.
How to migrate your PAN card AO code
You can migrate your AO code in 5 steps if you change your residence or office address. Keep your AO code for PAN card details updated so your PAN remains linked to the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Apply to your current AO: Submit a request explaining the address change and asking for AO migration.
- Apply to your new AO: Submit a separate request to the new AO, asking them to coordinate with your existing AO.
- Get current AO approval: Your existing AO reviews and approves the migration request.
- Forward the request: After approval, the request is forwarded to the income tax commissioner for further approval.
- Complete the migration: Once approval is granted, the AO code is officially changed to reflect your new jurisdiction.
The AO code helps identify the Income Tax jurisdiction linked to your PAN. You can find the correct code using the Income Tax e-Filing portal, Protean, or UTIITSL. Check your jurisdiction and address details carefully before entering the AO code in your PAN application.
