FIRS confirms NIN to serve as Tax Identification Number

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) now serves as the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual Nigerians

The announcement was made on Monday as part of a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws, shared by FIRS on X.

The Service added that registered businesses will no longer require a separate Tax ID. Instead, their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number will serve as their official tax identifier under the revised system.

This clarification comes amid public concerns over new tax law provisions requiring a Tax ID for certain transactions, including opening bank accounts.

According to FIRS, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), set to take effect in January 2026, mandates the use of a Tax ID for specified transactions. The Service emphasized that this is not a new requirement, noting that it was first introduced under the Finance Act of 2019 and has now been reinforced under the NTAA.

“The Tax ID unifies all Tax Identification Numbers previously issued by the FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services into a single identifier,” FIRS said.

“For individuals, your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, your CAC RC number is used. There is no need for a physical card, as the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity.”

FIRS explained that the updated system is designed to simplify taxpayer identification, reduce duplication, prevent tax evasion, and ensure fairness by making sure all individuals with taxable income contribute their share.

The Service urged the public to disregard misinformation about the reform, assuring Nigerians that the new tax framework aims to improve efficiency and transparency in tax administration.

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