The Income Tax department has issued advertisements in all prominent newspapers asking all persons who possess more than 1 PAN number to retain 1 PAN and surrender all extra PAN numbers that may have been allotted to them. The extra PAN numbers have to be surrendered latest by 23rd February 2007.

This is the final opportunity given by the Income Tax department and henceforth if any person is found to possess more than 1 PAN number, he / she / it will be liable to penal action.

The extra PAN numbers may be surrendered using one of the several modes of surrender advertised by the department:

* Help Desk set up in Income Tax offices all over the country set up for this purpose;

* The Assessing Officer (DCIT / ACIT / ITO);

* Web-site of the department www.incometaxindia.gov.in

* Aayakar Sampark Kendra (ASK) at 0124-2438000.