How To Get Your Taxpayer Identification Number in Nigeria (2024)

A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is required in Nigeria for both persons and organizations who work and are taxed.

Because paying taxes is required, you must understand how to obtain your Tax Identification Number.

The following is a step-by-step tutorial on how to acquire your TIN in accordance with the Nigeria Joint Tax Board’s requirements (JTB).

WHAT IS A TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a number assigned to persons or companies who have been recognized as taxpayers. It validates citizens or organisations as taxpayers who have registered with it.

A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a one-of-a-kind number provided to taxpayers as a measure of identification based on their National Identification Number (NIN) or Business Vehicle Number (BVN), particularly for people.

WHY SHOULD YOU GET YOUR TIN?

Apart from the fact that all citizens, particularly adults and organizations, are required to pay taxes. Several procedures involving any Federal Government agency will necessitate the use of your TIN. This covers, among other things, applying for government loans, registering a new vehicle, foreign exchange, and obtaining a certificate of occupancy.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A TIN?

TIN is crucial for everyone, whether you’re a business owner or a person. This is because it is proof that you are a Nigerian tax payer who has been validated. Another reason for its significance is that it is required by law to pay taxes in the country.

Once you’ve finished registering with the tax office,

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING A TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER?

The procedures for obtaining your TIN are as follows.

Although, as part of the application and collection process for your tax id number, you may be required to fill out an application form for identity verification. We’ll go through some crucial tips for filling out the form, which you can get at any tax office near you.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER? (TIN)

Individual and business requirements are divided into two categories. Here they are:

INDIVIDUALS

The following are the conditions for persons requesting a TIN number whose business has not been fully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC):

• An application for a TIN that has been completely filled out
• A legitimate photo ID that will be used to verify your identity. An international passport, a national driver’s license, a national identity card, or even a staff identity card are examples of acceptable documents.

COMPANY

The following are the conditions for a CAC-registered company or business to receive a TIN number:

• A fully filled TIN application form Business name registration certificate (for Enterprise or Business) or Certificate of incorporation (for Companies), both of which show the registration number.
• Documents containing the following data: The start date of the business, the present address of the business, and the business’s primary location
• You must update the TIN acquired from the tax office after giving the above as an individual or an organization at the tax office. Only your genuine email address and registered phone number from the registration procedure will be required here.

HOW TO APPLY FOR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) IN NIGERIA

The guidelines below will assist you in registering and obtaining your TIN in the country.

APPLYING IN-PERSON

The steps for applying for a tax identification number in person are as follows:

1. To apply for a Tax Identification Number in person, the applicant must go to the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s nearest office in his or her state of residence. The location and contact information for all of the company’s branch offices across the country.
2. Visit the office to receive an application form from the appropriate department for acquiring a Tax Identification Number.
3. Fill out the application form with the necessary information in the applicable sections. Once you’ve finished it, sign it to attest to it.
4. Make sure you’ve attached all of the documents indicated in the “Required documents” portion of this page once you’ve finished filling out the application form.
5. Then, at the office, hand it over to the appropriate authority.
6. Your application, together with any attachments, will be forwarded for additional verifications following submission.
7. The candidates will be provided with further instructions concerning the issuing of the TIN Certificate once all internal processes have been completed.

ONLINE APPLICATION

Non-individuals, such as limited liability companies, incorporated trustees, enterprises, cooperative societies, MDAs, and trade associations, can apply for a TIN online. The procedure is as follows:

1. To request for a Tax Identification Number online, go to the JTB TIN Registration System by clicking on the link below: https://tin.jtb.gov.ng/TinRequestExternal
2. Click the above link, and on the next page, fill in the required information in the appropriate fields, make the appropriate options, and submit the application form.
3. After you’ve finished, click the “Submit” button. You will be taken to the next page, where you may be needed to upload the documents indicated in the “necessary documents” section.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions and then click the appropriate option to submit the online application form.
5. The application will be granted if all of the documents and information submitted are confirmed to be correct after submission.
6. The Tax Identification Number Certificate will be processed for issuance by the officials.
7. Otherwise, the applicant will be notified and notified of the inadequacy, with a request to compensate.
8. The application will be authorized and processed for the issuance of the Tax Identification Number Certificate once the applicant has completed it correctly.
9. It will be promptly delivered to the applicant’s registered email address when it is available for issuance.

VERIFICATION

Verification of the amended TIN is now the next step. This is to ensure that your tax identification number is correct when conducting business. This includes dealings with other government agencies such as NAFDAC, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as other legal entities.

In some cases, applying for a TIN also entails registering for Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax. This is achieved when your corporation or business has been registered and has been in existence for six months.

Following the registration of your Tax Identification Number, you must file monthly VAT and tax returns (TIN).

You can check to see whether you already have the number if you’re unsure.

HOW MUCH DOES A TIN APPLICATION COST?

Please keep in mind that obtaining a TIN is completely free if you’re doing it personally. There are almost no fees except if you register with the assistance of a third party to obtain your TIN or if you have incurred a tax penalty depending on the timeframe allocated to obtain your TIN. This guideline is applicable to both individuals and businesses.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A TAX ID NUMBER? (TIN)

After a TIN request has been made, the process of generating a TIN takes two days. Please visit https://tin.jtb.gov.ng to request a TIN online.

Depending on how fast internal operations are completed, the process could take up to two weeks.