How to Use the TAN Format Validator

Type or paste a 10-character TAN into the box above.
Click Check. The tool checks it against the official AAAA12345A structure.
Read the decode table to see the jurisdiction code, entity initial, and serial number split out individually.
Nothing you type is uploaded anywhere — the whole check runs as plain JavaScript in your browser tab.

What a TAN Is

TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number) is a 10-character alphanumeric code issued by India's Income Tax Department to anyone required to deduct or collect tax at source (TDS/TCS) — employers, banks, and businesses that withhold tax before paying salaries, interest, rent, or contractor payments. It's distinct from a PAN: PAN identifies the taxpayer, while TAN identifies the entity responsible for deducting tax on someone else's behalf, and it must be quoted on every TDS return, certificate, and challan.

TAN Structure, Character by Character

The format is fixed as AAAA12345A:

Characters 1–3: A jurisdiction/city code representing the Income Tax office where the TAN was issued (for example, "MUM" often relates to Mumbai-issued TANs, "DEL" to Delhi, and so on) — though the Income Tax Department hasn't published a single stable, complete mapping of all city codes, so this tool shows the raw letters rather than guessing a city name.
Character 4: The first letter of the TAN holder's name (the deductor).
Characters 5–9: A unique 5-digit sequential number assigned by the department.
Character 10: A check character. Like PAN's 10th character, the algorithm behind it has never been publicly disclosed.

Worked Example

MUMB12345F

decodes as: jurisdiction code MUM, holder-name initial B, sequential number 12345, and check character F (shown as-is, since the algorithm isn't public).

Why There's No Checksum Check

Just like PAN, the Income Tax Department has never published the formula behind TAN's 10th check character. Any tool that claims to independently verify it is either guessing or reverse-engineering an undocumented rule that could change without notice — this tool avoids that false confidence and checks only what's actually documented: the AAAA12345A shape.

What This Tool Does NOT Do

This checks structure only. It does not query TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) or the Income Tax Department's e-Filing portal, and cannot confirm a TAN is actually issued, active, or belongs to the deductor you expect. For payroll, TDS filing, or anything that matters, verify the TAN through the official incometax.gov.in or tdscpc.gov.in "Know Your TAN" service.

Common Mistakes

Confusing TAN with PAN — they look superficially similar (10 characters, mixed letters/digits) but serve entirely different purposes and are issued by different processes
Assuming the first 3 letters map cleanly to a specific city — the mapping isn't fully published or guaranteed stable
Typing a TAN in lowercase (this tool auto-uppercases it, so it won't be an issue here, but paper forms are case-sensitive in practice)
Believing a "checksum verified" claim from a tool that doesn't cite an official Income Tax Department specification

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my TAN uploaded anywhere? No — everything runs locally in your browser tab.

Is TAN the same as PAN? No — TAN identifies who must deduct tax on a payment; PAN identifies the taxpayer. A business typically has both.

Does this tool verify the check character? No — the Income Tax Department has never published the algorithm, so no tool can genuinely verify it.

Is this tool free? Yes, completely free, with no login and no usage limit.