We have classified about 400 new spectral lines of neutral tantalum via laser excitation or observation of laser-induced fluorescence. 37 energy levels with even parity and seven levels with odd parity were found by means of systematic hyperfine structure investigations. For the new levels angular momentum, parity, magnetic hyperfine interaction constant A and electric quadrupole interaction constant B were deduced. In addition, we have classified 230 new lines observed in high resolution Fourier transform spectra by analysing their observed hyperfine structure patterns.