The Income Tax Department has mandated the use of digital signatures for all TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number) correction requests, effective immediately. This move aims to ensure greater security, authenticity, and efficiency in the process of updating TAN-related information such as deductor details, address changes, contact information, and jurisdiction codes. The new requirement applies to both online and physical correction requests submitted through the NSDL e-Gov portal or at designated facilitation centers.

Under the revised protocol, applicants must affix a valid Class 2 or Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) issued by a recognized certifying authority while submitting corrections. This electronic verification step is now compulsory for validating identity and authorizing changes to sensitive taxpayer records. TAN holders who do not possess a DSC must procure one before initiating correction procedures. The department has clarified that unauthenticated or unsigned correction requests will be rejected to prevent misuse or fraudulent updates.

Tax professionals have welcomed the reform, citing that digital signatures will enhance the integrity of TAN records and reduce the risk of processing delays due to verification lapses. Entities managing multiple TANs—such as corporations, NGOs, and government departments—are advised to ensure their authorized signatories have valid DSCs registered with the e-filing and NSDL platforms. This change aligns with the government’s broader goal of promoting paperless compliance and safeguarding taxpayer data in India’s digital tax infrastructure.