The Federal Inland Revenue Service has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission now automatically serves as the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual Nigerians.
The clarification was made in a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws shared by the Service on X on Monday.
According to the FIRS, registered businesses will also no longer require a separate Tax ID, as their Corporate Affairs Commission registration number will now serve as their official tax identifier under the new tax system.
The announcement comes amid public concerns over provisions in the new tax laws that require a Tax ID for certain transactions, including the ownership of bank accounts.
Explaining the policy, the FIRS said the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, which is scheduled to take effect from January 2026, mandates the use of a Tax ID for specific transactions. However, it stressed that the requirement is not new, noting that it has existed since the Finance Act of 2019 and has only been strengthened 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,” the Service said.
“For individuals, your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, your CAC RC number is used. You do not need a physical card, as the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity.”
The FIRS added that the new system is designed to simplify identification, reduce duplication, close loopholes for tax evasion, and promote fairness by ensuring that everyone who earns taxable income contributes appropriately.
The Service urged the public to disregard misinformation surrounding the reform and assured Nigerians that the new tax framework is aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in tax administration.
Recall that the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said that banks will be required to request a TIN from all taxable Nigerians as part of the federal government’s new tax administration framework set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
