<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899715-13-000049.txt : 20130214
<SEC-HEADER>0000899715-13-000049.hdr.sgml : 20130214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130214201522
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899715-13-000049
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20130212
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130214

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MORRISON LISA J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218076

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11986
		FILM NUMBER:		13617205

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9 TEAL COURT
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27455

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899715
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				561815473
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0101

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3362923010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_136089091089626.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-02-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899715</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001218076</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MORRISON LISA J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE, SUITE 360</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENSBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27408</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior VP Leasing</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2013-02-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27404</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Notional Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2013-02-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8550</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8550.0</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8550</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents a grant of restricted shares approved by the Company's Board of Directors on February 12, 2013 under the Company's Amended and Restated Incentive Award Plan. The restricted shares vest and the restrictions cease to apply on twenty percent of the award on each February 28th over a five year period beginning February 28, 2014.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents performance shares which may convert, into an equivalent number of restricted common shares of the Company based on the Companys share price appreciation inclusive of all dividends (TRS), and its TRS relative to its peer group, over the three-year measurement period from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015. The share price targets will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis with respect to any dividend payments made during the measurement period. The number of restricted shares earned shall in no event exceed the product of(a) the performance shares granted and (b) $42.04.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">With respect to 70% of the performance shares, 33.33% of this portion of the award will be earned if the Company's aggregate TRS equals 25% over the three-year measurement period, 66.67% of the award will be earned if the Company's TRS equals 30%, and 100% of this portion of the award will be earned if the Company's TRS equals 35% or higher. With respect to 30% of the performance shares, 33.33% of this portion of the award will be earned if the Company's TRS is in the 50th percentile of its peer group over the three-year measurement period, 66.67% of this portion of the award will be earned if the Company's TRS is in the 60th percentile of its peer group during this period, and 100% of this portion of the award will be earned if the Company's TRS is in the 70th percentile of its peer group or greater during this period.. The performance shares will convert on a pro-rata basis by linear interpolation between share price appreciation thresholds</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Any restricted common shares earned on December 31, 2015 are subject to a time based vesting schedule. 50% of the shares will vest on January 4, 2016 and the remaining 50% will vest on January 3, 2017, contingent upon continued employment with the Company through the vesting dates.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James F. Williams, attorney-in-fact for Ms. Morrison</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-02-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
