Rotationally resolved excitation spectra of TaN molecules, produced in a free-jet, have been studied using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Thirteen excited electronic states in the energy region, 23,500-30,000 cm(-1) have been observed. The molecular constants, Omega-quantum numbers and radiative lifetimes have been determined for these states. Because of the case (c) behavior and absence of the regular energy spacing, the assignments of the excited electronic states of TaN become difficult. The number of observed excited electronic states is significantly larger than currently predicted, indicated a need for additional ab initio calculations. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.