How to Check PAN Details Online in Nepal (Step-by-Step Guide)
A Permanent Account Number, commonly known as PAN, is the single most important identifier in Nepal's tax system. Whether you are applying for a bank loan, submitting a tender document, verifying a vendor before signing a contract, or checking a new employer's registration, a quick PAN check in Nepal can save you from dealing with an inactive, fake, or blocked taxpayer number. The good news is that this PAN verification online process takes less than two minutes and does not require you to visit any government office.
In this guide, we walk through exactly why people search for PAN details, how to perform a proper PAN status check using the official Inland Revenue Department (IRD) portal, what information you can and cannot see, and what steps to take if the PAN you searched for turns out to be inactive or blocked.
Why People Search for PAN Verification
There are several everyday situations where verifying a PAN online becomes necessary rather than optional:
Loan and credit applications: Banks and financial institutions cross-check a borrower's or guarantor's PAN against IRD records before disbursing a loan, since an inactive PAN can delay or block the approval entirely.
Government and private tenders: Bidding documents almost always require a valid, active PAN or VAT number, and procurement officers routinely verify this before accepting a bid.
Employer and vendor due diligence: Employers verify a new hire's PAN before processing salary and TDS, while businesses verify a supplier's PAN before making large payments, to make sure the deduction can be properly reported.
Personal record-keeping: Individuals sometimes forget whether their PAN was ever activated, or want to confirm the registered office and taxpayer category linked to their number.
Step-by-Step: How to Check PAN Details Online
Follow these steps to complete an accurate PAN verification online using the government's own system, which is the only source that should be trusted for this purpose.
Step 1 — Open the official IRD portal: Go to the Inland Revenue Department's website at ird.gov.np and locate the Taxpayer Portal / e-Services section from the main menu.
Step 2 — Find the PAN or taxpayer search option: Inside the Taxpayer Portal, look for the registration or taxpayer-search tool. This is the section built specifically for public PAN and VAT lookups.
Step 3 — Enter the 9-digit PAN number: Type the complete PAN number you want to verify. The system does not support searching by name alone, so you must have the exact number on hand.
Step 4 — Review the taxpayer details displayed: Once submitted, the portal returns the registered name, taxpayer office, registration type (PAN, VAT, or Excise), and the current status of the number.
Step 5 — Note the status field carefully: This is the most important part of the entire PAN status check, since it tells you whether the number is safe to rely on.
What Information Is Shown vs What Stays Hidden
The IRD's public PAN search is intentionally limited to basic registration information, and this is by design to protect taxpayer privacy. Here is what you can expect to see, and what remains confidential:
Visible to anyone: Registered name of the individual or business, the PAN number itself, registration category (individual, firm, company, or partnership), the taxpayer office the PAN is registered under, and the current status (active, inactive, or blocked).
Not visible to the public: Income details, tax paid, filing history, bank account information, and any financial data linked to the PAN. This information is only accessible to the PAN holder after logging into their own taxpayer account, or to authorized officials during an official review.
What to Do If a PAN Is Inactive or Blocked
Finding an inactive or blocked PAN during a PAN check in Nepal is more common than people expect, and it usually falls into one of these categories:
Inactive due to non-filing: A PAN can become inactive if the holder has not filed returns for an extended period. The holder needs to visit the concerned tax office, clear pending filings, and request reactivation.
Blocked due to compliance issues: A PAN may be blocked if there are unresolved audit findings, unpaid dues, or suspected misuse. Reactivation typically requires clearing the underlying issue first.
Duplicate or incorrectly issued PAN: In rare cases, a PAN is flagged and blocked because of duplication. This needs to be resolved directly with the taxpayer office that issued it.
If you are dealing with a third party — a vendor, tenant, or business partner — and their PAN shows as inactive or blocked, it is best to ask them to resolve the status before you proceed with any financial transaction or contract that depends on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you check someone else's PAN status online?
Yes. The IRD's public PAN search tool is open to anyone and does not require you to be the PAN holder. You only need the exact 9-digit PAN number, and the system will return basic registration details and the current status, which is precisely what allows employers, banks, and business partners to verify counterparties before transacting.
Is there a fee for checking PAN details online?
No. Verifying a PAN through the official IRD portal is a free public service. You should never need to pay any third-party website or agent to perform a basic PAN status check.
What if I forgot my own PAN number?
Since the public search tool requires the PAN number itself and does not support name-based lookup, you will need to visit your nearest IRD office in person with your citizenship certificate or passport to retrieve it.
How often is the PAN status updated on the portal?
The information generally reflects IRD's live database, but recent changes such as a fresh reactivation may take a short time to update. For time-sensitive decisions, it is safer to also confirm directly with the concerned tax office.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax rules and procedures in Nepal can change, and individual circumstances vary. Please consult an ICAN-registered Chartered Accountant before making any decisions based on this content.
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