What is a PAN (number)? How do we submit Income-tax returns? How to get PAN? (INDIA)?

Question

What is the use of a PAN number? How do we obtin a PAN? Who has to submit their Income-returns? Is it compulsory to submit Income-tax returns? If we do have PAN till now, what can we should we do? Will there be any Penalty?------(INDIA)

Answer 1

Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the Income Tax Department.

A typical PAN is AABPS1205E.

More details at http://incometaxindia.gov.in/PAN/Overview.asp

Details about Income Tax: http://www.taxmann.com/TaxmannDit/IntTax/nrcont.aspx