To me the Tao is a type of philosophy that teaches one to be do good, become one with the flow, understand and apply moderate life practices.

Like Buddhism, i dont think it is a form of deity, god or omnipresent figure worship.

The images of the various Buddha and Tao deities are for the follower\student to remember the teachings of the originator and to apply the teachings positively in life.

There is a subtle difference between Buddhism\Tao Teachings and Deity\Shamanistic\Animistic\Folk worship.

One is actually guided by teachings while the other is by culture and way of life.
In addition one is able to adopt the teachings into their culture and way of life but not the other way round.