PAN Number Nepal — How to Apply Online FREE in 2026 (For Taxpayer Prize & Beyond)
🪪 No PAN = No Prize. Get Yours Free in 10 Minutes.
Nepal’s taxpayer incentive prize program just made PAN mandatory for millions of ordinary consumers who never needed one before. Without a personal PAN, you cannot claim your prize even if your transaction wins the draw. The good news: individual PAN registration is completely free, takes 10–15 minutes online, and you only need your citizenship certificate. Here’s every step.
⚡ Quick Answer — PAN Number Nepal 2026
Getting a PAN number in Nepal is free. Apply online at ird.gov.np → click “PAN Registration” → fill personal details → upload citizenship certificate scan. PAN is issued immediately (provisional) or within 7 working days (permanent card). You need your PAN to: participate in the taxpayer incentive gift program, register bills at prize.ird.gov.np, and claim any prize. Individual consumers do not need to file taxes just because they have a PAN — getting a PAN does not automatically make you a “taxpayer” in the business sense.
📌 PAN vs VAT — What’s the Difference? (Many Nepalis Confuse These)
🪪 PAN — Permanent Account Number
- Individual identification number with IRD
- Free to register — no annual fee
- Required for taxpayer prize participation
- Any individual can get one — not just businesses
- Does NOT mean you must file business taxes
- 9-digit number, lifetime validity
- Example: Personal consumers, employees, students
🏪 VAT — Value Added Tax Registration
- Business tax registration for selling goods/services
- Required for businesses with annual turnover ≥ रू 50 lakh
- More complex — regular return filing required
- Has a 13% tax collection obligation
- Businesses need VAT/PAN to issue qualifying bills
- Consumers do NOT need VAT — only PAN
- Example: Shops, restaurants, service providers
📄 Documents Required for PAN Registration Nepal
Citizenship Certificate
Nepal citizenship certificate (nagarikta) — front and back. Scanned copy for online application.
Passport-Size Photo
Recent photo on white background. Digital file (JPG/PNG) for online application. Physical copy for in-person.
Mobile Number
Active mobile number for OTP verification during online registration. Will be linked to your PAN account.
Email Address
For PAN account login and notifications. Also used by prize.ird.gov.np for winner notification.
Permanent Address Proof
If citizenship address differs from current — utility bill or bank statement showing current address may be required.
🪜 How to Apply for PAN Number Online — Step by Step
Go to ird.gov.np — Official IRD Website
1 minOpen ird.gov.np in your browser. This is Nepal’s official Inland Revenue Department website. Look for “PAN Registration” or “PAN दर्ता” in the main navigation or services section. Do not use third-party websites that claim to register PAN — always go directly to ird.gov.np.
Select “Individual PAN Registration / व्यक्तिगत PAN दर्ता”
30 secChoose the individual (व्यक्तिगत) registration option — NOT business PAN. Individual PAN is for consumers, employees, and any person who wants to participate in the taxpayer prize or conduct government-related transactions. Business PAN requires additional documents and is a separate registration.
Fill Personal Information Form
5 minFill in all required fields accurately — exactly as they appear on your citizenship certificate:
- Full name in English and Nepali (as on citizenship)
- Date of birth (from citizenship — Bikram Sambat)
- Citizenship number and issue date/district
- Permanent address (district, municipality, ward)
- Mobile number (this becomes your PAN-linked number)
- Email address (for notifications and prize alerts)
- Father’s name and grandfather’s name (as on citizenship)
Important: Enter details exactly as on your citizenship. Any mismatch will cause rejection or verification delays.
Upload Documents
2 minUpload clear scans or photos of your citizenship certificate (both sides — front showing details, back showing address). Upload your passport-size photo. File sizes are typically limited to 200KB–500KB per file — compress photos if needed using any free online tool. JPG and PNG formats are accepted.
Verify Mobile Number via OTP
1 minAfter filling the form and uploading documents, the system sends an OTP to your registered mobile number. Enter it within the time limit (typically 2–3 minutes). This verifies that you have access to the mobile number linked to your PAN account.
Submit and Receive PAN Number
Immediate to 7 daysAfter submission, two things can happen:
- Immediate provisional PAN: In many cases, the system generates a provisional PAN number immediately after successful submission. This number is valid for all purposes including prize.ird.gov.np registration from day one.
- Approval within 7 working days: IRD reviews your documents and officially approves your PAN within 7 working days. You receive confirmation via SMS and email.
The physical PAN card is sent later — but the PAN number itself is what you need for the taxpayer prize and can be used from the moment it’s issued.
In-Person Option — If Online Doesn’t Work
30–60 min visitIf online registration fails (server issues, document upload problems), visit your nearest Inland Revenue Office (IRO) in person. Bring your citizenship original + photocopy, passport-size photo, and mobile number. In-person registration is processed the same day in most cases. IROs are in all district headquarters across Nepal — Sunday to Friday, 10 AM–4 PM.