Microsoft OneNote for beginners: Everything you need to know

OneNote is the best Microsoft program you’re probably not using. If you’ve ignored the digital note-taking app because, well, it’s Microsoft, or because you thought “the last thing I need is more software,” then it’s time to reconsider.

Microsoft has liberated its digital notebook from Office and put it just about everywhere: Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, and of course Windows. Read on to discover everything you need to know to start creating a paperless life with OneNote.

Who should use OneNote 

If you do a lot of notetaking, attend multiple meetings during the week, and collaborate with others on projects, then OneNote can keep that flood of info neat and tidy. All your notes—even words in pictures—are searchable inside OneNote, and they’re stored in the cloud and immediately accessible via the OneNote apps for any platform. 

Plenty of folks point to Evernote as the go-to note-taking app. Evernote does many things well, but I’ve found its best use is as a digital file cabinet for saving web clips, screenshots, receipts, or other random items you want to be able to search for later. (All tools OneNote also offers, it should be noted.)

OneNote, on the other hand, is better as a productivity aide, with its focus on typing and hand-writing notes, audio recording and search tools, and smart integration with the rest of Office. 

Sign in to sync up all your notes.

To get started, grab OneNote for your various devices and sign in using a free Microsoft account. You likely already have one if you use Outlook.com email, subscribe to Office 365, or have a Windows 8 device. If you need to create one, be sure to check out the introductory note, which has useful tips for newcomers. 

OneNote’s design and basics

OneNote has a clearly delineated organizational structure that mimics physical note-taking, revolving around notebooks, tabs, and pages. 

OneNote has a good organizational structure that makes it easy to keep everything in its place.

You can have multiple notebooks. Across the top of each notebook are tabs, each one representing what it calls a section. The sections hold the individual notes, which are listed down the right side. You can also nest a note under another note, which keeps related items organized or breaks up a long list.

The structure works well for dividing up work tasks—I previously used it for lesson plans when I was a teacher. I could just touch the Lesson Plans tab and then find the proper week among the list of notes. 

There’s a default tab called QuickNotes. This is where new notes go. Using the Windows + N command sends a clipping of your screen to OneNote, or perhaps you’ve save an article with OneNote’s Chrome or Internet Explorer web clipping tool.

You can share a notebook with others: Head to File > Share > Invite People in the notebook you wish to share.

MICROSOFT

This Microsoft-created slide shows OneNote’s basic abilities. This link leads to a full beginner’s guide from Microsoft. (Click to enlarge.)

Got it? Good. Now let’s explore the differences between the various versions of OneNote.

Want the full OneNote? Get it on Windows

While OneNote apps are all slick and supported on numerous platforms, the most full-featured version of Microsoft’s note-taking app is—naturally—found on Windows, where all once-premium features are now free in OneNote 2013.

Likewise, OneNote’s closest physical companion is Microsoft’s own Surface Pro 3. You can click the top button on the tablet’s bundled digital stylus to wake the device, automatically fire up a new note, and start inking away. Users with touchscreen devices can write notes with a stylus or finger. An entire tab in OneNote’s Ribbon menu is devoted toward inking tools, including highlight, circle, or digitize options.

For example, I’ve clipped map screenshots and used OneNote to draw specific instructions on them. 

OneNote has many different inking options.

Other little tricks that set OneNote apart from the other tools in Office. For example, there’s a clever Ink to Math tool that lets you hand-write an equation, and OneNote will convert it to text. You can also record a lecture or meeting—throw it in a shared note for friends who slept through it.

Another interesting feature is the ability to embed other Office files within OneNote. You could, for example, create a miniature Excel spreadsheet and edit it directly within OneNote. It’s probably not a use case you’ll need every day, but hey, it’s there if you need it.

You can also quickly toggle between personal and enterprise accounts. OneNote will keep both synced up, yet separate. It’s pretty useful for grabbing something from your personal account while on a work machine.

If you’re one of the few and proud rocking a Windows Phone, OneNote comes pre-installed. Windows Phone users can also grab the sublime Office Lens, OneNote’s sister app. Office Lens lets you take a picture of that whiteboard session, business card, or anything else and save it directly to OneNote. Text inside the pictures can even be automatically converted to editable Word or Powerpoint files. (The iOS and Windows Store OneNote apps have similar functionality baked into their camera capabilities.)

A less robust version for Mac

Earlier this year Microsoft released OneNote for Mac, bringing it to the OS X desktop for the first time. The interface is extremely similar to the Windows version's, but there are fewer tabs in the ribbon across the top—which unfortunately means fewer features.

OneNote for Mac carries much of the look and feel over from the Windows version.

The deeper integration with Office and the ability to sign in with multiple accounts, for instance, is found only on the Windows variant. IA web app for Chromebooks

Yes, even Chromebooks can use OneNote via the service’s slick web interface. Just like with the Mac version, the web app isn’t as powerful as the desktop software, but it does a decent job. 

ONENOTE

OneNote has a powerful web client.

I’m most happy to see you have visibility of who’s signed in to a shared file. It’s great for knowing who is pulling their weight on a group project. There’s an “Open in OneNote” button if you’re using Windows or OS X, which lets you view the note in the desktop software instead of the web app.

OneNote apps on iOS

Now that the massive iPhone 6 Plus is available, OneNote may be the perfect app for writing notes on the run or scribbling quick sketches with your finger or a stylus.

Like the Windows version, the iOS app connects to both consumer and enterprise accounts, so it’s perfect for capturing those important meeting notes and saving hilarious Buzzfeed listicles.

OFFICE BLOG

With iOS 8 you can share directly into OneNote from other apps.

Microsoft also built in support for the new Share extension for iOS 8. Use it to send items from Safari, email, or other apps right to OneNote. 

It’s even on Android

Yes, Microsoft even supports OneNote on arch-rival Google’s Android platform.

GOOGLE PLAY

Draw, write, or type in notes on OneNote for Android.

Microsoft took advantage of a key Android strength by creating numerous useful widgets. You can access a list of notes or open a specific command—like drawing or taking a picture—right from the Android home screen.

JARED NEWMAN

Beyond mere smartphone support, OneNote has even embraced Android Wear, so you can take notes by shouting them into your smartwatch, if that’s your thing.

Where OneNote needs to improve

There’s still some growing room for OneNote, especially if it wants to be more competitive with Evernote.

For one, it doesn’t format web clips very well. If you like to save articles for offline or later use, Evernote does it better. OneNote doesn’t have any options for stripping out ads or giving you a choice of where to save it, defaulting to the Quick Notes section.

I’ve also found the Android app is still rather buggy. Pen input and moving between sections in particular feel a little janky. Evernote is by no means bug-free, but Microsoft needs to apply more polish if it wants to win over Android users.

OneNote’s future

OneNote has deep potential as a powerful, cross-platform tool if Microsoft can connect all the pieces. The surge of people migrating to phablets, tablets, and touchscreen laptops could only play to OneNote’s favor.

But if Microsoft is truly to rule productivity, it needs OneNote to feel at home on every platform. That’s no small task, but Microsoft’s almost there—and it already rocks for everyday note-taking needs. Try it out!

How to Use CCleaner Like a Pro: 9 Tips & Tricks

There’s more to CCleaner than clicking a single button. This popular application for wiping temporary files and clearing private data hides a variety of features, from fine-grained options for tweaking the cleaning process to full drive-wiping tools.

CCleaner is easy for beginners to use – just launch it and click the Run Cleaner button. But there’s a lot more you can do with it.

Consider What You Delete

CCleaner clears a lot of stuff by default. You might want to reconsider clearing the browser caches (Temporary Internet Files for Internet Explorer). Browsers store these files on your system to speed up browsing in the future. When you revisit a site, the site will load faster if images and other files are cached on your system. Clearing these will free up some space and increase your browsing privacy, if you’re worried about that, but frequent cache cleanings can slow down your web browsing.

Erasing the thumbnail cache (under Windows Explorer) can also slow things down – if you open up a folder with a lot of image files, it will take some time to recreate the cache. Clearing it does free up space, but at the cost of recreating the cache later.

Many other options clear most-recently-used lists (MRUs) in Windows and other programs. These lists don’t take up much space, but can be privacy concerns – if there’s a most-recently-used list you rely on, be sure to uncheck it.

Whitelist Important Cookies

CCleaner clears all cookies by default, but you might want to keep some. If you find yourself always logging into your favorite websites after running CCleaner, open the Cookies pane in the Options section.

CCleaner can help you with this whitelisting – right-click in the Cookies pane and select Intelligent Scan. CCleaner will automatically add Google, Hotmail, and Yahoo Mail cookies to your whitelist.

You’ll probably want to add other cookies to the whitelist, too. For example, locate the howtogeek.com cookie in the list and click the right arrow button to add it to your whitelist. CCleaner will leave your How-To Geek cookie alone, so you don’t have to log back into How-To Geek after clearing your cookies.

Beware the Registry Cleaner

While CCleaner does include a registry cleaner, I’d recommend against running it. The Windows registry contains hundreds of thousands of entries; removing a few hundred (at most) won’t give you an increase in performance. Registry cleaners can accidentally remove important registry values, however, so there’s risk with little reward.

That said, if you’re dead set on running a registry cleaner, CCleaner is one of the safer ones. If you do run the registry cleaner, ensure you back up any changes you make. You can restore the deleted registry entries from the backup file if you encounter any problems.

Manage Startup Programs

The Startup panel in the Tools section allows you to disable programs that automatically run when your computer starts. To avoid losing an autostart entry that may be important, use the Disable option instead of the Delete option. You can easily re-enable a disabled autostart entry later.

Wipe Drives

When Windows or another operating system deletes a file, it doesn’t actually wipe the file from your hard disk. Instead, the pointers to the files are deleted and the operating system marks the file’s location as free space. File recovery programs can scan your hard disk for these files, and, if the operating system hasn’t written over the area, can recover the data. CCleaner can help protect against this by wiping the free space with its Drive Wiper tool.

While some people believe that multiple passes are necessary to irrecoverably delete files, one pass should probably be fine. If you’re disposing of a hard drive, you can also perform a full erase of all the data on the drive with this tool.

You can also have CCleaner wipe free space every time you run it by enabling the Wipe Free Space checkbox under Advanced in the Cleaner section. Enabling this option will make CCleaner take much longer to clean up your system – CCleaner recommends leaving it disabled.

Securely Delete Files

You can have CCleaner delete files securely, effectively using the Drive Cleaner tool on each file it deletes. Bear in mind that this is slower than deleting the files normally – that’s why operating systems don’t securely delete files by default. If you’re concerned about privacy, enable this option from the Settings tab in the Options section.

Include Custom Files

If you use a program that isn’t included in CCleaner’s list of applications, or you have a temporary file directory you want cleared regularly, you can specify custom folders and files in CCleaner. CCleaner will delete these files and empty these folders when you run it.

To add a custom folder or file, open the Options section and use the options on the Include tab. Be careful when adding folders or files; you could accidentally add important files or folders and lose them.

The custom files you specify here are only cleaned if the Custom Files and Folders checkbox under Advanced is enabled.

Exclude Files

Likewise, if CCleaner keeps clearing something you don’t want it to clear, you can add an exclusion in the Options section. You can exclude an entire drive, folder, file, or registry key. You can also restrict the exclusion to specific file extensions.

Manage Installed Programs

CCleaner’s tools include the Uninstall panel, which lists your installed programs. This panel includes a few more features than the default Windows one – you can rename or delete the entries here and any changes you make will also appear in the Windows Control Panel.

You can also save the list of installed programs to a text file – an easy way to keep a list of your installed programs in case you need to remember and reinstall them from scratch.

Smart Ways to Get Fast Cash in an Emergency Situation

Most of us invest so we can utlise the sum so invested in times of dire emergency. There are some investments that are pretty liquid like bank deposits, shares etc., which can be encashed pretty quickly. But, what if you do not have any investments and there is an emergency like quick medical operation that needs cash urgently. Here are few methods which you could rely on for fast cash.

Gold Loans

Pledging your gold to a gold loan company against quick cash maybe the fastest form of getting a loan.

The processing time is fast and the gold loan company or bank will specify the gold against which you will get a loan. It will check for purity etc., before disbursing the amount. Generally, you will get 85 per cent amount against your gold. Gold loan interest vary and can be anywhere between 11 per cent and 20 per cent. If you do not pay the amounts, your gold is likely to be forfeited. Gold loan can be obtained even if you have a very poor credit rating.

Cash Against Credit Card

This is perhaps the fastest way to get cash. However, the amount you can get is limited and the interest rates are exorbitant. You many not be able to withdraw more than 50,000 against your credit card and if you need larger sums this is not the ideal way to go. Also, remember there is a cash withdrawal charge and interest rates can vary from 24 per cent to as much as 40 per cent. This should be the last resort in case of an emergency.

Personal Loans

This may not be the fastest way to get a loan, but it is one of the options. Personal loans like all of the above come with hefty interest rates, though not as high as credit cards. Interest rates could vary from bank to bank and depends on your credit rating. Generally, interests are levied between 12 and 24 per cent. There is also a prepayment charge and some banks charge as much as 4 per cent as early pre-payment charges.

Loans against Securities

You can get loan against shares, against post office schemes like KVP and NSC as well. Interest rates are more or less comparable to the interest rates on personal loans. The amount of loan would depend on the value of the amounts in the certificates. Loans are not very large and the duration may not extend beyond 2 years. There is also a processing fee that is payable on the loan amount.

Conclusion

Go for the above loans only if you are in desperate need. Most of the interest rates on the loans and advances are horribly expensive and all of the above should be your last resort.

6 Wrong Ways of Using your Credit Card

Credit cards are widely used and accepted and the current trend of using credit card has made it a necessary evil.

These plastic cards are of great use when in financial need or when we run short of cash. However, the cash back offer and reward points also tempt us to make more use of it.

Many individuals use credit cards, but it depends on how smartly you use or you get fooled using it.

Here are some ways which you should avoid using credit cards:

1) Not more than one Credit Card

Holding credit card is good but having more than one can negatively impact your finances.

Having more than one credit card will make it difficult to track balances and statements even points you have earned.

2) Paying only Minimum Balance each month

Carrying forward each month balance amount will definitely hurt your CIBIL score. Moreover, you need to pay interest on the amount and late payment fees to the bank.

If you are not able to pay your balance each month, it means that you should cut your spending.

3) Closing Old Accounts

If you are planning to improve your credit score and build your credit history, closing of old accounts is a wrong decisions.

But you may think of getting rid of old accounts, which is a better option. Because old credit history is actually good for your score.

4) Neglecting Safety Issues

If you are an online shopper then make the most use of your credit cards, though you should be careful with your credit card safety. Here are few tips to save you from credit card frauds.

5) Redeem Reward Points

One must always keep track of cash back offer and reward points accumulated in the account. If the points are not used in the mentioned period it is said to be lapsed.

One can check the bank reward points catalog and plan the spending accordingly.

6) Use at right place

Now, with ease one can use the credit card to pay utility bill and premium payment rather then spending on luxury.

By paying such bills you will block you credit with necessary spending.

Mobile Banking: What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

The Reserve Bank of India recently informed banks to encourage mobile banking. In coming days we will see more number of people getting addicted to the ease of mobile banking.

In the internet era, mobile banking can be considered as boon as well as bane. However, many people still are not able to relay on mobile banking due to its exposure to risk. Here are few safety tips which you can consider.

For people who are planning to go with mobile banking, here are few advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind.

Advantages of Mobile Banking

Anytime Banking: Mobile Banking gives you the privilege of anytime and anywhere banking. One can do most of the banking transaction after banking hours from anywhere, irrespective of whether you are traveling in bus or auto. Whereas this ease will not be possible if you are connected to a PC or Lap top, especially when traveling.

Mobile Banking is Free: The service provided by bank is free of charge, there is no limit for number of times you can access your account.

Various banking services provided include Account Balance Inquiry , Credit/Debit Alerts, Bill Payment Alerts, Transaction History, Fund Transfer Facilities, Minimum Balance Alerts etc. can be accessed from your mobile.

You can transfer money instantly to another account in the same bank using mobile banking.

Secure Banking: Some banks assure that, by downloading the app directly from the server, the data wont be stored in your mobile as well as SIM card.

The app comes with advanced encryption technologies making it safe and secure as Internet Banking.

Disadvantages of Mobile Banking

To make maximum benefit of mobile banking one should have smart phone. Some banks have specific software for specific mobile such as iphone and Blackberry people should download different apps based on the smart phone they own.

Many experts believe that mobile banking is more secure then internet banking as very few virus or Trojans can exist in phone. However, that does not mean that they are immune to any kind of threats.

As phishing exist for internet banking users, there is "Smishing" for mobile banking users. When a mobile banking user receives a fake text message asking for bank account details from a hacker.

There are also very limited anti -virus software options for mobile devices. People are less careful with their mobile compared to laptop. You must also update your anti-virus on the mobile if you are a frequent user of mobile banking.

Conclusion

As is the case always comfort and ease will come with some risk. You need to be careful on the mobile as well, though it brings lesser risk.

Lost Your Bank Locker Keys? Here is What You Should Do

It's almost inevitable these days to have a bank locker. In fact, individuals these days do not even bother opening an account if a bank is not able to offer them a bank locker.

Not all bank branches can offer locker facilities, though most of them currently do.

Bank Locker Charges 

Bank locker charges vary from bank to bank and size of the lockers. They can vary from as much as Rs 2,500 to much bigger amounts. Banks mostly charge the bank locker rentals in advance and once you have paid, you cannot get it back. Most banks charge for one financial year in advance.

Banks almost always handover one key to the locker that is rented out and one key is kept with the bank. When you need to open the locker, a bank official visits the locker with his or her key and you have to open yours. Both together only simultaneously can open the locker.

What if the Bank Locker Keys are Lost? 

If you happen to misplace or have lost the bank locker keys, the first thing that you should do is intimate the branch manager. The best way would be to do so in writing.
The bank would then take the initiative to ensure a duplicate key or to break open the locker. A locksmith would have to be called for the purpose and your presence would have to be there. This is because of the valuables that are present in the locker. In no circumstances can the bank open the locker without your presence.

Charges to Replace the Bank Locker Keys 

It's extremely difficult to pin point one set of charges that would be entailed for making duplicate keys or getting a new locker altogether. Making a duplicate key from the original manufacturer of the locker could cost as high as Rs 5000. It's important to note that the amount will not be borne by the bank and all charges as well as ancillary charges arising thereof will have to be borne by you.

In fact, this is made abundantly clear by a host of bank websites that make it clear all charges pertaining to opening of the locker with the making of a duplicate will have to be borne by the holder.

Conclusion

It's best to take care of your keys rather thn incur the huge expenditure to get duplicate keys or expenses incurred to break open the locker.

How to Open Insurance Demat Account?

Holding many insurance policies and placing them safely was a tedious job. Now you can open electronic account and hold your policies under one online account. This step was initiated by our previous finance minister P. Chidambaram who launched IRDA's insurance repository system (IRS). This move was to ensure transparency in the field.

This account facilitates the policyholder to hold all types of insurance policies such as Life, General and Group Health in a single electronic insurance account. Account can be accessed online anytime, anywhere. Also, transaction can be viewed anytime.

As per your convenience, you can opt for one among the repositories - CIRL (Central Insurance Repository Limited), NIR (National Insurance-policy Repository) and SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd) as per IRDA guidlines.

Steps to Open e-Insurance Account(eIA)

1) Download e-insurance account opening form.
2) Fill in the details on e-insurance a/c Application form.
3) Send it to respective Insurance Repository( from the above list of five repositories).
4) After that, Repository will generate e-account number which will be sent to your insurer.
4) Insurer will update you with the allotted and update the same in the portal.
5) Finally,your insurer will inform about the successful upload of your insurance policy on your e-portal.

Note: While submitting e IA form, you need to necessarily have either a PAN or Aadhar number.

Where And How To Buy Gold ETFs In India?

Across the globe there has always been an increasing trend to buy Gold ETFs. For example, SPDR Gold Trust and its associate companies are among the largest Gold ETFs in the world.

Their assets are sizeable, which shows the huge demand for Gold ETFs across the globe. In India, Gold ETFs have never taken off in a big way, as investors still continue to prefer buying physical gold, sometimes more as a sentimental attachment.

What Are The Advantages of A Gold ETF Over Physical Gold

A Gold ETF is nothing but a mutual fund unit, that tracks the price of gold. What this means is that one unit of Gold ETF is equal to one gram of gold. If gold prices move up, then Gold ETFs move up.

The advantages of Gold Exchange Traded Funds over physical gold are plenty. Since the former is held in electronic form there is no question of theft. On the other hand you do not need to incur bank locker charges for them. Ancillary charge like buying costs may also be lower.

Hence, they are more advantageous, than physical gold. And after all, they track prices of gold, so ultimately you are getting the same price.

Where To Buy Gold ETFs in India?

First, you need to open a demat and a trading account with your broker. Once you have opened the same, you can buy them in the same manner as you buy shares and stocks. There are a number of them that you can buy. Here goes the list:

Name	One Year Returns
SBI Gold Exchange Traded Fund	-10.20%
UTI Gold Exchange Traded Fund	-10.10%
HDFC Gold Exchange Traded Fund	-10.20%
Kotak Gold ETF	-10.30%
Axis Gold ETF	-10.40%
Quantum Gold ETF	-10.30%
Can Gold Exchange Traded Fund	-10.40%
IDBI Gold Exchange Traded Fund	-10.30%

The above list is not exhaustive as there are many other funds. The returns are more or less indicative and as can be seen from the list the returns from Gold ETFs have been negative in the last one year, because gold prices itself have declined in the international markets.

Before investing in these instruments it's best to try and figure out where gold would be headed in the next few years, because Gold ETFs tend to track prices of physical gold.

At the moment it is unlikely that you would get returns from gold, as investors are increasingly preferring investment in equities.

However, gold is considered a safe haven investment and could be a good bet in times of crisis. It's not a bad idea to partially stay invested in gold. However, do not expect stupendous returns unless there is geopolitical tensions or an economic calamity around the globe.

How to claim payment for a deceased account from post office saving schemes?

Several Post office Saving Accounts are long term in nature. Some of these include the Public Provident Fund (PPF), which extends up to 15 years and National Saving certificates (NSC) (for six years) and so on.

It's highly possible that the holder of some of the post office saving schemes passes away or is dead when the accounts are in force. In such cases, the legal heir must make a claim and get the proceeds that were in the account of the deceased.

How to make a claim?

The Post Office has a prescribed form for making claims. Read more on Post Office Saving Schemes and its type here

The form very clearly states the documents that are to be submitted and the things that are required. Here are a few things that maybe essential to make your job easier.

1) Death Certificate

2) Succession Certificate

3) Probate of will

4) Letters of Administration of Estate

Apart from the above mentioned, you have to attach the passbook. A guardianship certificate on behalf of the minor relatives of the deceased depositor (if the claimant is not a guardian under the law applicable to him).

Your job is made easy if there is a nomination to the account. But, if there is no nomination than the matter could get worse, if there is no succession certificate or probate of Will either.

Nomination always makes the job easier....

If there is no nomination, any one of the legal heirs can make the claim in the specified form. However, consent of all other legal heirs are required in this case.

Conclusion

Sometimes dealing with the Post Office officials can sap your energy and can be time consuming at the same time. If you are reading this, the best thing that you could give your near and dear ones is a proper nomination. Ensure that you have a nomination in place not only for your post office schemes, but, also for most of your other financial saving instruments.

Why subscribers to EPF or provident fund must know about the UAN?

The Minister of Labour & Employment has asked respective organisations to begin the process of ensuring that all provident fund or Employees Provident Fundsubscribers who are part of the PF Act, start initiating the process of allocating a Universal Account Number or UAN.

The move is aimed at speeding up the process of provident fund claims and EPFwithdrawals. A Universal Account Number (UAN) will be generated for each of theEPF contributing members, helping you know your PF status.

Super flexibility

Each time you change your job, you have to be contend with the rigorous task of changing your EPF account. Old account details have to be handed over to the new organisation along with a host of other details, which at times are cumbersome.

Now, you will get the Universal Account Number, which will be with you through various organisations and the number will last until you retire or continue subscribing to the EPF India or PPF.

The objective of the UAN is to do away with the multiple identification numbers. This will facilitate a subscriber of EPF to view details of all the Member Identification Numbers (Member Id) linked to it. Another advantage is that it would help check yourEPF Balance.

In case there is already an allotment...

In case a subscriber has already been allotted a UAN then he/she is required to provide the same on joining new establishment to enable the employer to in-turn mark the new allotted Member Identification Number (Member Id) to the already allotted Universal Account Number.

Objective

The main reason behind the shift to the UAN is to ensure that KYC details of members are captured in order to do away with the dependence on the employer and to of course improve the quality of service. The KYC details will be tagged against the allotted UAN rather than the Member ID, thus eliminating an outdated operation.

Employers begin the process

Employers have already begun the process and are sending forms to employees to fill in relevant details like employee name, PAN number etc. Once this is returned by the employees the process of allotment of UAN would happen.

Contact details

Employers can contact the toll-free helpline No 1800-118-005 for further assistance in this regard, which would help them begin the process.

Conclusion

As employees, if your company or organisation has not begun the process of getting a UAN allotted, please check with them. Sooner or later you need to move to a new UAN, which is reliable and more convenient. It would help to know your PF status more easily.

Can an individual hold two PAN cards? What are the penalties?

Permanent Account Number or more commonly referred as PAN No. is a alphanumeric number in 10-digits. PAN no. qualifies as a photo-identification card and is in fact mandated for every transaction with the Income Tax Department.

PAN No. is also required for opening accounts with bank, purchasing luxury items, foreign travel, dealing in securities and several other transactions of financial nature.

The holding of over one PAN card by individuals is illegitimate and government requires such individuals/HUFs/non-individual assessees to surrender any duplicate PAN. In case, the assessees fail in this regard, government could send a legal notice and impose a penalty amounting to Rs. 10,000.

There are instances where an individual could unintentionally apply for new PAN card:

1. In case of change of address:

The change in address of the individual does not requires applying for a second PAN. In fact, PAN or permanent account number is a permanent identification number that is valid all across India. Only the change of correspondence address has to be intimated to the authority concerned. While, intimating the applicant needs to also furnish the proof of address.

2. In case of inadvertent issue of more than one PAN:

If an individual is inadvertently issued over one PAN card. One can visit http://incometax.sparshindia.com/pan/newPAN.asp, an income tax site, and furnish information regarding additional Permanent Account Numbers that are to be surrendered.

If an assessee wants to surrender additional PAN through offline mode, one can write an application bearing subject as ' change in PAN data' to the NSDL TIN facilitation centers or UTI PAN Centers. Details of additional PAN number have to be mentioned in the last row of the form.

The application for surrendering additional PAN could also be addressed to one's jurisdictional Assessing Officer. In the application you need to specify your name, contact details, PAN card details to be retained and details of the PAN card that has to be surrendered. The receipt or acknowledgment of the application should be retained as that serves as the proof of surrender of duplicate PAN.

How to Update Correct Address/Contact Details in Income Tax site?

This financial year, if you are planning to e-file your taxes, better to make sure the correct information is updated in the Income Tax Site.

Whenever the taxpayer changes the Mobile Number or email ID one needs to update the same in Income tax site to get information at the right time.

e-Filing users should update and authenticate their correct contact details so that the communication can be sent to the valid Mobile number and E-mail ID. Click to knowTax Terms While Filing Income Tax Returns.

Here is the step by step proceed on updating Contact Details for registered users. 

1 Visit Income Tax Site
2 Go to profile Setting
3 Select My Profile (There you can see you address and contact details.)
4 Click on Contact Details tab and Click on Edit
5 Update the correct Contact Number and Mail ID
6 Click Save

Step 2

7 Verify your contact details
8 For any changes select back Option
9 If correct select continue

Step 3

You will receive two PINs, one will be sent to your mail ID and another to your mobile Number.
Received through Mobile number and E-mail ID should be entered by them in the respective input fields to authenticate that the email ID and mobile are correct.
10 Click Confirm .

Once you click confirm, you will receive mail from the department on the updation.

If the PINs are not received within specified time, the taxpayer may opt for "Resend PINs" option. The PINs once received will be valid for 24 hours. The taxpayers are advised to validate the contact details using the PINs received within 24 hours. If PINs are not validated within 24 hours, the taxpayer has to login and follow the same procedure as above again.

How to Change Address in Income Tax Site

1 Visit Income Tax Site
2 Go to profile Setting
3 Select My Profile
4 Select Address
5 Click on Edit and make necessary changes and click save.

Your address will be updated.

What are the documents required to apply for new PAN Card?

Permanent Account Number or PAN is mandatory for all transactions with the Income Tax Department. It is mandatory to quote PAN on return of income and therefore having a PAN card is compulsory for all assesses or taxpayers.

For Indian citizen who wants to apply for a new PAN Card have to submit Form 49A. To apply for PAN online click here. Changes or correction in the existing PAN card can also be made. To apply for changes/ correction click here.

After filling the form online the applicant has to pay the processing fee. The processing fee including the service tax is Rs.105 for dispatching in India and Rs.971 for dispatching abroad.

After a successful online submission an acknowledgement will be sent to the applicant. The applicant has to sign the acknowledgement, affix two recent passport size photograph and send to NSDL office at Pune along with copies of documents for proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth.

Proof of Identity

A copy of any of documents like adhaar card, voter id card, driving license, passport, ration card having applicant's photograph, arm's license, photo identity card issued by state govt. or PSU, pension card with applicant's photograph has to be submitted as a proof of identity.

Other than that original identity certificate signed by MLA / Municipal Councilor/ Gazetted officer or original bank certificate on bank's letter head can also be submitted as identity proof.

Proof of Address

For address proof the documents that are accepted include aadhar card, voter id card, driving license, passport, passport of the spouse, post-office passbook with address mentioned, latest property tax assessment order.

Bills like electricity bill, landline telephone bill, Broadband connection bill, water bill, consumer gas connection bill, bank account statement, depository account statement, credit card statement can be submitted. But the bills should not be more than three months old.

Proof of Date of Birth

For proof of date of birth copy of any one of the document like birth certificate, pension payment order, marriage certificate, matriculation certificate, passport, driving license, domicile certificate issued by the Govt., Affidavit stating the date of birth sworn before a magistrate.

Before sending the documents to NSDL, applicants must check that the acknowledgement has been duly signed, photographs has been attached and processing fee has been paid. Also, copies of documents must be sent to NSDL for verification.