Jan 8 (Reuters) - Indian consumer goods firm Hindustan Unilever said on Thursday it had received an order from a tax authority seeking 15.6 billion rupees ($173.6 million).

The company, Unilever's Indian arm, said it would appeal the order, adding that this would have no material impact on its financials or operations.

($1 = 89.8880 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas)