The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) disclosed on Monday, as part of its public enlightenment awareness on the new tax laws, that the National Identification Number (NIN) is now systematically the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for all Nigerians, following public worries about aspects of the new tax laws that mandate the use of a Tax Identification Number for specific transactions, such as operating a bank account.
The FIRS stated that registered businesses will not need a different Tax Identification Number, as their Corporate Affairs Commission registration number will now function as their official tax ID under the new tax regime.
In clarifying the policy, the Service explained that the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, effective January 2026, requires a TIN for individuals or businesses to carry out certain transactions, noting that this obligation is not recent and has been in place since the Finance Act of 2019, but has now been reinforced under the NTAA.
The Service further noted that the new arrangement aims to improve the identification process, curb duplication, and reduce lapses for tax evasion, as well as foster equity by ensuring everyone with taxable income pays the appropriate taxes.
The FIRS reassured Nigerians that the new tax system is intended to drive efficiency and accountability in the tax system.