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Almost every Indian citizen who pays tax must have heard “Tax Deducted at Source” or Withholding Tax. But did you know, like PAN Card, which serves as an assessee’s identity, TAN is the identity of a tax deductor/ collector
We bring this guide to clear all your doubts about Tax deduction /collection Account Numbers (TAN).
The full form of TAN is Tax Deduction or Collection Account Number. Every person liable to deduct TDS or TCS must apply for TAN.
As per section 203A, this 10-digit alphanumeric number must be quoted when you become liable to either Deduct or Collect tax (i.e., liable to deduct TDS or collect TCS), make payment through challan, or file TDS returns or issue a Tds certificate to the deductee.
TAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number. The structure of TAN is as follows: ABC D 12345 X. So the first 4 characters are alphabets followed by 5 digits and then 1 alphabet at the end. The first 3 alphabets of TAN no. represent the city where TAN has been allotted, and 4th character of TAN no. represents the initial letter of a person's name. All 5 digits and the last alphabet are automated characters generated by the system.
As per our country's tax laws, a person deducting TDS or TCS must deposit it into the treasury within a specified period, along with a return specifying the details as required by the government. Therefore, TAN is a unique identification number in all correspondence with the department. This also enables the government to credit the tax receipt and give credit to the deductee (the person whose TDS was deducted). This credit is reflected in the 26AS, i.e., the tax credit statement.
TAN does not come in the same physical form as a PAN. Consequently, only an allotment letter is allotted as proof of TAN. So, it is not always feasible for an individual to keep it in handy, and we also don’t have computer memory to remember such complicated digits.
Therefore, given your secure internet connection, you can find a TAN number anytime from anywhere. Follow these simple steps to check your TAN number online.
There are penalties in the income tax act for failure to apply for TAN if mandatorily required to apply or for mentioning incorrect TAN. The penalty of Rs. 10,000 is imposable mention.
When a person already holds a valid TAN and obtains an additional one, it is a duplicate TAN. Having more than one TAN except for different branches or divisions of an organization is illegal.
TAN is mandatorily required to be quoted on the following documents:
Every individual entering specified financial transactions must possess a Permanent Account Number (PAN) mandatorily. However, Tax Deduction and Collection Number (TAN) is to be possessed by all those liable to deduct TDS/ collect TCS.
You can apply for TAN either via Online Mode or via Offline Mode. Both are discussed as follows:
The Income Tax Department is the authority which allots TAN. Once it is allotted, all future documents related to TDS/ TCS should have TAN on it.
Applicants can know their TAN allotment date from a TAN allotment letter that has been received from the income tax department or an inquiry from the customer care of the income tax department.
No, An applicant can not know the TAN details by providing the PAN No.. Visit www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Click on 'Know Your TAN / AO'
Applicants can find TAN from the income tax department Website by visiting www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Click on 'Know Your TAN / AO'
The processing fee for both applications (new TAN and change request) is 65 (including Goods and Service Tax).
The applicants may track the status of their TAN application using a 14-digit unique Acknowledgement Number after three days of application using the status track facility online. Alternatively, an applicant may call to TIN Call Centre on 020 – 2721 8080 to enquire about the status of the application. The status of the TAN application can also be tracked by sending an SMS - NSDLTAN to 57575.
You can find the TAN number of your employer mentioned on Form 16, 16A or Form 26AS.
The full form of TAN is Tax Deduction or Collection Account Number. It is required by specified persons who must deduct or collect tax as per the provisions of the income tax act in India.
TIN is known as Tax Identification Number; it was issued to taxpayers registered under VAT. TIN is a 15-digit number.
No, PAN can not be used instead of TAN. It can be used in case TDS is deducted under section 194IA or section 194IB, or section 194M.
No, a single TAN can be used both for TDS and TCS.
The income tax department’s official website allows you to “know your TAN” if you have lost or forgotten it.
