Knowing how to get a Tax Identification Number in Nigeria is important for tax compliance. You can apply online via the Joint Tax Board (JTB) portal or visit a FIRS office with a valid ID and required documents. This quick guide explains how to get TIN in Nigeria
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The Nigerian Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is a unique number assigned to a registered tax-paying entity (individual or company).
- The number is unique to every taxpayer and can only be used by the person or company to whom it is registered.
- It is usually issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) upon successful registration as a taxpayer.
- Kazeem Kayode Lawal, a seasoned tax professional, delves into the essence of TIN, unravelling its impact on both individuals and businesses.
How to get a Tax Identification Number in Nigeria
The FIRS is responsible for assessing, collecting, and accounting for taxes and other revenue accruing to the Nigerian government. Therefore, all Nigerian individuals and companies that sell products or services, work for the government, other public entities, private companies, or operate as freelancers are required by law to have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
In an interview with Kazeem Kayode Lawal, an experienced tax professional, he informed Legit.ng that whether you’re an individual or a business, understanding how to get a TIN number online in Nigeria helps you stay compliant with tax regulations while saving time and avoiding unnecessary queues.
The obligation to register and obtain a TIN applies to all persons, whether natural or legal, irrespective of whether they are exempt from paying taxes in Nigeria. Lawal clarified that legal persons pertain to corporate entities established through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Why do you need to get the TIN?
Here are some of the most common reasons you need to apply for a Tax Identification Number.
- It is required when you apply for a government loan.
- It is a must-have when opening a business account.
- It is a must-have if you need an import, export or trade license.
- It is necessary when you register your vehicle.
- It is required for getting tax clearance, allowance, waiver, or incentive.
How much does it cost to get a TIN number in Nigeria?
The entire application process is free of charge. The tax identification number registration process is quite straightforward and only requires you to visit an FIRS office (for individuals). You will be asked to fill out the application form in three copies. You will not have to pay anything.
Things to note for TIN applicants and holders
Here is some important information for those looking to apply for their TIN.
- You must ensure the address and name lines include no more than 200 characters (per field).
- Ensure you provide the correct 11-digit phone number.
- Each applicant must provide an active email address.
- You must complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*) in the TIN application form.
- Only the official taxpayer can use their TIN (no third parties are allowed).
- Usually, you don’t have to apply for a TIN if you are an incorporated trustee (but laws can change, so double-check this information at the FIRS office).
- Each Nigerian should obtain a TIN if their business generates revenue.
- You can validate your TIN on the official FIRS site.
Addressing misconceptions about TIN, Lawal highlighted common misunderstandings, such as the belief that persons must make payments before acquiring a TIN and the misconception that those exempted from taxes in Nigeria are not obligated to obtain a TIN. Clarifying these points, he said:
Registering in the tax net and acquiring a Taxpayer Identification Number is completely free of charge. As a matter of fact, any tax official who is demanding money before registering a taxpayer must be reported so that appropriate disciplinary action can be meted out.
It does not matter whether the company is below the threshold for paying taxes or that it is an NGO. We must understand that obtaining a TIN is the first step towards tax compliance, the other steps are prompt filing of returns, prompt payment of due taxes, and complete and accurate reporting of one’s financial affairs.
Having a TIN even where one is exempted from paying taxes does not imply that one would have to pay taxes, rather it helps the tax authorities to accurately account for taxes forgone or tax expenditures, waivers, and incentives in general.
It could also be used to identify the less privileged amongst us so that the government can effectively give out cash transfers and other palliative programs. As a matter of fact, during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Sweden, it was the taxpayer register that was used to allocate and distribute palliatives to the citizens.
How do you get your tax ID number in Nigeria?
Typically, applicants are either individuals or companies. Here is how to get a TIN for the different types of entities.
How does an individual apply for a tax identification number in Nigeria?
- The applicant must visit the nearest FIRS office.
- Ask for a TIN application form from the reception or customer service desk.
- Complete the application form, ensuring you fill out every field marked with an asterisk.
- Append your signature on the document once you are done filling it out.
- Ensure you have attached all required documents.
- Submit it to the relevant person at the FIRS office.
- Your application will be forwarded to the relevant department for review.
- The FIRS will then contact you regarding the issuance of a TIN.
How do you know your tax identification number in Nigeria?
Recently, the government made it possible for individuals to have an automatic TIN once they get their BVN (Bank Verification Number) or NIN (National Identity Number). One can check whether they have been automatically assigned a TIN via the verification portal.
Nigeria Tax Identification Number sample
An example of a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria is: 1234567890 — a 10-digit number issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or Joint Tax Board (JTB).
Is BVN the same as TIN?
No, BVN (Bank Verification Number) is not the same as a TIN (Tax Identification Number). They are completely different identifiers used for separate purposes in Nigeria.
Your BVN is for banking; your TIN is for tax purposes. However, your BVN can be used to help generate or retrieve your TIN through the JTB portal—but they are not the same number.
How to get a TIN number in Nigeria online?
Non-individuals, such as limited liability companies, incorporated trustees, enterprises, cooperative societies, MDAs, and trade associations, are required to apply for a TIN online. Here is a guide on how to get a TIN number online in Nigeria in 2026.
Source: UGC
- Visit the JTB TIN registration portal.
- Enter the required details in the respective fields.
- Make the respective selections that apply to your business and complete the application form.
- After completing, click the ‘Submit’ button. You will be redirected to another page on which you will be required to upload the documents listed in the ‘required documents’ section of the page.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, then submit the duly filled form.
- The application will be approved once the information and documents you have provided have been verified.
- The officials will then process the TIN for issuance. In case of any issues, the applicant will be contacted and asked to provide the correct information or documents.
- Approximately 10 business days after the application date, your non-individual TIN will be emailed to the applicant. Keep in mind that this period often stretches to about two months, depending on various factors.
Modern technologies implemented
Lawal highlighted the modern technologies implemented by the federal government to streamline the process of obtaining a TIN for individuals and businesses. The list includes:
- Every company in Nigeria needs to enrol in the TaxPro Max initiative by the FIRS for tax administration in Nigeria) and validate their TIN if they have not already done so.
- Newly incorporated companies can automatically obtain their TIN upon registration with the CAC. This enterprise is an inter-agency collaboration between CAC and FIRS.
- The JTB also has a platform that automatically assigns a TIN to individuals using their BVN or NIN, and a verification portal where one can log in to view the assigned TIN.
- There is also an online registration portal where individuals and businesses that have not been assigned a TIN can register.
- Lastly, the JTB is currently championing a “National Data for Tax” project, which presently is at the incubation stage, but when hatched, will eventually see to the unification of the NIN and TIN for individuals, and the RC number (Registered Code assigned by CAC to every entity that registers with the Commission) and TIN for companies.
What documents do you require when applying for a TIN?
Those trying to figure out how to get tax identification number in Nigeria online often want to know what documents they will be required to present.
For individuals
- A duly completed TIN application form.
- A verifiable form of identification. Common options include a national driver’s license, an international passport, a national identity card, or a certified copy of your full birth certificate.
- Utility bill.
For a registered but not incorporated business
These are businesses that have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission but are not yet incorporated.
For incorporated companies
- Duly completed TIN application form
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMART)
- Certificate of incorporation
- Particulars of the company’s directors
- Statement of share capital
- Utility bill
One must present the original and two copies of each document. The originals are only required for sighting and verification. One copy is left with the FIRS, while another will be signed and stamped by an FIRS official as proof of your application.
How do you verify a Tax Identification Number in Nigeria?
To verify a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria, you can use the official Joint Tax Board (JTB) portal, which provides a simple and secure method for tax identification number search.
To verify your TIN in Nigeria, simply use the JTB portal to quickly search for your tax identification number. If platforms like Deriv require it for financial verification, this is the most trusted method to confirm your TIN status.
While Deriv login is not directly related to Nigeria’s tax portal, users with financial or trading accounts (such as Deriv) may be asked to provide a verified TIN during account setup or compliance checks.
What is a 12-digit TIN number in Nigeria?
A 12-digit TIN in Nigeria is most likely a state-issued taxpayer ID, used for individual income tax purposes. For most businesses and federal tax matters, the standard TIN remains 10 digits and is issued by the FIRS or JTB.
What is the code to check the TIN number?
As of now, there is no USSD code to check your Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria. However, you can easily check your JTB Tax Identification Number online using the official Joint Tax Board (JTB) TIN verification portal.
Finally, Lawal elaborated on the impact of TIN on business operations in Nigeria. He said:
- Having a TIN presents a business in a very good light as a tax-compliant business enterprise. It impacts the ability of the enterprise to relate and transact business freely with other entities, not only in Nigeria but across the world, and to carry out its fiscal obligation as an agent of the government for the deduction and remittance of withheld taxes from transactions with other business entities and from the payment of salaries to its workers.
- It ensures smooth business operations for the enterprise because several business activities cannot be conducted in Nigeria today without a TIN. For example, you cannot open a bank account for your business without having a TIN; you cannot import spares and raw materials without a TIN; you cannot export your products for sale outside Nigeria without a TIN; you cannot apply for land allocation for your business without a TIN, and so on.
- No business will survive without capital, and having a TIN affects small businesses’ ability to access finance, particularly bank loans, as registration in the tax net is a requirement before any bank will grant a loan.
How long does it take to get a TIN in Nigeria?
Obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria typically takes 24 to 72 hours (1 to 3 days) for individuals using the online Joint Tax Board (JTB) portal.
If you have been trying to figure out how to get a Tax Identification Number in Nigeria, this guide has you covered. For individuals, the process just got easier with the automatic TIN allocation. For non-individuals, the online application process is also quite straightforward.
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