Charitable trusts registered under the Indian Trusts Act or State Public Trusts Acts use the status code 'T' (Trust) on Form 49A. Societies may use 'A' for AOP, while Section 8 Companies use 'C'.
Expected Approval: 3-5 Days
Success Ratio: 99.9% Success
A pan card for NGO trust is the very first compliance milestone for any charitable trust, society, welfare organization, or foundation registered in India. Whether your NGO aims to receive foreign contributions under FCRA, apply for 12A and 80G tax exemption status, or simply open a bank account to begin accepting donations — your organization's Permanent Account Number (PAN) is the non-negotiable foundational requirement that enables all of these activities.
Pragati Services provides a specialized, expert-led trust pan registration service that understands the unique compliance needs of non-profit and charitable organizations across India. We provide 100% online processing with complete documentation support so your organization can start serving its mission without bureaucratic delays.
A pan card for NGO trust is a corporate Permanent Account Number issued specifically to your registered non-profit entity. Unlike a company PAN (which has 'C' as the 4th character) or a firm PAN ('F'), a trust or NGO PAN has the letter 'T' as its 4th character — representing "Trust" under the Income Tax Act. Societies registered under Societies Registration Act also typically use 'A' for AOP (Association of Persons) or 'T' depending on how the IT department classifies them.
The PAN is a permanent identity for your non-profit organization and cannot expire. It is linked to your trust deed or registration certificate and remains valid for the entire active life of your organization.
The following categories of non-profit and charitable organizations must complete trust pan registration as their first compliance step:
Our professional service fee is inclusive of entity type verification, complete Form 49A preparation, submission, and tracking. Ask about our NGO Starter Bundle covering PAN + 12A + 80G at a bundled price.
Get your trust PAN in the fastest possible time and unlock bank accounts, 12A exemptions, and donor tax benefits.
Apply for NGO / Trust PAN NowDeep dive into specific categories and compliance rules for BUSINESSPAN.
Expert Assistance Just a Tap Away
Get answers to complex compliance questions for your BUSINESSPAN registration.
What is the PAN status code for a charitable trust?
Charitable trusts registered under the Indian Trusts Act or State Public Trusts Acts use the status code 'T' (Trust) on Form 49A. Societies may use 'A' for AOP, while Section 8 Companies use 'C'.
Can a trust open a bank account before getting PAN?
No. Indian banks require the trust's entity PAN to open any type of account — including savings accounts for NGOs — in the organization's name. PAN must come first.
Is it mandatory for small NGOs receiving only local donations to have PAN?
Yes. Even small organizations receiving small local donations should have a trust PAN. Without it, you cannot issue proper donation receipts, file with the IT department, or apply for 12A and 80G status.
Do we need a separate PAN for every branch of our NGO?
No. Your primary organization has one PAN for the entire entity regardless of how many branches it operates. However, each branch's activities are managed under the same central PAN.
How long after registration should we apply for PAN?
Apply immediately after your trust deed is registered or your society/Section 8 company is incorporated. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can open a bank account and start formal operations.