A Tax Account Number (TAN) is an unique 10 digit alpha numeric code allotted by Income Tax Department of India to a person or an entity responsible for deduction or collection of tax at source (TDS or TCS). Commonly referred as Tax Deduction Account Number or Tax Collection Account Number, or simply TAN. Business/Employer, while deducting tax from salaries of employs must obtain and mention the TAN. The criteria to collect or deduct tax at source are published by the Government. An accessee of TDS/TCS must quote the TAN in TDS/TCS Statements and the Challan for payment of the same.