What Is Form 60? Meaning, Uses, Eligibility & Rules Explained

For an NRI, I would be especially careful about assuming that Form 60 was simply an alternative to PAN.

The old rules had specific provisions for people who didn't have PAN and specified transactions. There were also provisions dealing with non-residents in certain circumstances.

The Income Tax Department's current FAQ is probably the most useful source here because it specifically addresses the change after April 1, 2026. It says that under the new Act, a person without PAN may undertake transactions specified under Rule 159(2) by filing Form 97, and that Form 97 replaces the earlier Form 60.

So if you're researching “Form 60” because a bank or financial institution asked you for it in 2026, I'd first find out whether their checklist has been updated.

I wouldn't assume that Form 60 can still be filed just because an old PDF is available online.

Also, Form 60/97 isn't a way to avoid getting PAN when PAN is otherwise required. Whether you can use the declaration depends on the particular transaction and the applicable rules.

I was confused about this too because my bank's older checklist still mentioned Form 60.

From what I understand, the basic idea behind Form 60 was that certain transactions required PAN to be quoted, but a person who did not have PAN could make the prescribed declaration instead, where the rules permitted it.

The important part is that not having PAN didn't mean Form 60 could be used for every transaction. It was linked to specified transactions under the applicable rules.

I also found the official Form 60 itself useful because it shows the type of information that had to be provided. It included the person's name, date of birth/incorporation, address, transaction amount and date, and other details.

But because we're now in 2026, I'd treat websites explaining only the old Form 60 rules as historical information.

If your bank is asking you for Form 60 today, I'd ask them whether they actually mean the new Form 97 under the Income-tax Rules, 2026.

The transition has made some bank forms and older online articles confusing.

I had to deal with Form 60 a few years ago when opening a bank account, so my understanding is that it was basically a declaration for a person who didn't have PAN when PAN was required for certain specified transactions.

It wasn't the same thing as getting a PAN.

The form asked for quite a bit of information, including personal details and information about the transaction. So it wasn't simply a statement saying “I don't have PAN.”

I remember the bank taking the form because I didn't have a PAN at that time.

One thing I would be careful about is using old information now. A lot of articles still explain Form 60 under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the old Rule 114B.

Since you specifically mentioned 2026, I think you're right to question whether the form is still current.

The Income Tax Department's current information says that under the Income Tax Act, 2025, the corresponding declaration is now Form 97, under Rule 159(2) of the Income-tax Rules, 2026. It replaces the earlier Form 60, although the scope of transactions has changed.

So I wouldn't simply download an old Form 60 and submit it without checking what the bank or institution currently requires.