Know Your TAN: How To Get Tan Number & Download TAN Certificate

TAN is an essential number for every taxpayer in India. It is a 10-digit alphanumeric identity number given to individuals who are responsible for collecting or deducting taxes at the source in an individual capacity or as an entity. In India, every individual and business is required to have a TAN number in order to conduct day-to-day operations without any hitch. 

You must provide this number when filing payment challans and certificates, Annual Information Returns, TDS, TCS, etc. The TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) facilitation centres will not accept the returns you have filed until you provide the TAN number. Moreover, your bank will also deny accepting the TDS and TCS challans without a TAN number.  

Continue reading this article to know what a TAN number is and how to apply for one to avoid paying penalties and filing your IT returns seamlessly. 

What Is TAN Number?

TAN stands for Tax Deduction or Collection Account Number. It is a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department. Anyone who collects or deducts tax at source (TCS and TDS) is eligible for TAN. A TAN number consists of four alphabets and 5 numbers followed by 1 alphabet (Eg. PDES03028F). The initial four letters stand for jurisdiction code, and the fourth denotes the deductee’s name. 

As per Section 203A of the Income Tax Act of 1961, you must provide your TAN number on all TDS returns. According to Indian Law, TAN is necessary for tax compliance mechanisms. The TAN number is used for deductions like salary, dividends, or interests and must be quoted in TCS and TDS returns, challans, payments and certificates. Any failure to do so will result in a hefty penalty of Rs.10,000. 

How To Know Your TAN?

You can now know your TAN details either by providing your TAN or name. Additionally, in case you have forgotten TAN, you can retrieve it accordingly. Here is the step-by-step guide to knowing your TAN number: 

Step 1: Log in to the official Income Tax e-Filing website and click on Know TAN Details

Step 2: You will find 'TAN' or 'Name' below the 'TAN Search' option.

Step 3: Select ‘TAN’ or ‘Name’.

Step 4: If you choose based on Name, Select  ‘Category of Deductor’ and state, enter the Name of Deductor, Enter your registered Mobile number and click on Continue.

If you choose based on the TAN, Select  ‘Category of Deductor’ and state, enter TAN of Deductor. Enter your registered Mobile number and click on Continue.

Step 5: You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. 

Step 6: Enter the OTP and click on the ‘Validate’ option. Your TAN-related details will be displayed on the screen.

How To Apply For TAN Number?

Businesses can apply for their TAN number in both online and offline modes. 

TAN Application Online

Step 1: Log in to the official website of NSDL TAN. 

Step 2: Click on ‘Online Application for TAN (Form 49B)’.

Step 3: Select the ‘Apply for new TAN’ option and click on the category of deductors.

Step 4: The TAN application form will open. Fill out the form as required, and do not miss filling in the mandatory fields with * marks. If any of your entered data does not meet the format validation criteria, it will display on the screen as an error. In such cases, you must check the errors and fill out the form again to re-submit the application.

Step 5: A confirmation screen will display before you if your form contains no errors. You can choose the edit option on this confirmation screen to amend any data.

Step 6: After thoroughly checking all the information, click ‘Confirm’.

Step 7: Pay the required fees online. You can also pay via cheque, DD, or credit/debit card favouring NSDL-TIN.

Step 8: You will receive an acknowledgement slip after completing the payment procedure successfully. You can use the 14-digit acknowledgement number by which you can track your application status. You should save and print this acknowledgement slip and send it to Protean eGov Technologies Ltd. with other required documents. 

Write 'APPLICATION FOR TAN- Acknowledgement Number' on the envelope. 

Here is the address for sending the documents: 

Protean eGov Technologies Limited,

4th floor, Sapphire Chambers,

Baner Road, Baner

Pune - 411015

TAN Application Offline

Step 1: Visit the nearest TIN Facilitation Centre and get Form 49B. You can also consider downloading it from the Income Tax website. If your business is not registered under the Companies Act, you need to fill out Form INC-7.

Step 2: After filling out the form, submit it to the TIN counter along with a processing fee. You can pay via cheque, cash or DD.

How To Know Your TAN Jurisdiction Building Name?

You can follow these steps to know your TAN jurisdiction building’s name:

Step 1: Log in to the official Income Tax website.

Step 2: Navigate to the 'Important Links' tab.

Step 3: Click on ‘Jurisdiction’.

Step 4: Select your ‘State’.

Step 5: It will redirect you to a PDF file.

Step 6: You can find your TAN jurisdiction building's name in the list provided in that PDF file.

How To Download TAN Certificate?

Here are the steps to follow to download your TAN certificate online:

Step 1: Visit the NSDL TIN to download your TAN certificate online -. 

Step 2: Select the ‘Application Type’ as ‘TAN-New/ Change Request’.

Step 3: Enter your ‘Acknowledgement Number’ as received while applying for TAN.

Step 4: Enter the captcha code and click on ‘Submit’.

Step 5: Your TAN status will be displayed on this page.

Step 6: You can find a statement as ‘Click here to download your TAN Allotment Letter’. You can also click on that to download your TAN certificate.

Conclusion

Thus, you must acquire a TAN number to file TCS, TDS, or any other IT returns. Individuals failing to quote the TAN number while filing IT returns may attract a penalty of Rs.10,000. So, you must apply for your Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number at the earliest. 

Related Articles

1. What is TAN?
2. TAN Registration- How to register and activate TAN?
3. How To Apply For TAN -Acknowledgement and Payment Details