Who has to apply for a permanent account number? Is it mandatory to obtain a permanent account number?

The following persons should apply for allotment of permanent account number in Form No 49A:

Every person, if his total income, assessable during the previous year, exceeds the maximum amount which is not chargeable to tax or any person, carrying on business or profession, whose total sales, turnover or gross receipts, are or is likely to exceed Rs 500,000 in any previous year and who has not been allotted any permanent account number is obliged to obtain permanent account number.

A person who is required to furnish return of income under Section (4A) of Section 139 ( i.e. charitable trust) is also required to obtain permanent account number before the end of the accounting year.

The Central Government may specify (by notification in the official gazette) any class or classes of persons by whom tax is payable under the Income Tax Act or any tax or duty is payable under any other law for the time being in force, including importers and exporters to apply to the assessing officer for the allotment of a permanent account number.