With the growing requirement for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for banking transactions, employment, business registration and access to government services, tax authorities have simplified the process for Nigerians.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) now allows individuals to retrieve their Tax ID using their National Identification Number (NIN), making the exercise faster and entirely online.
The service, which is free of charge, enables applicants to obtain their Tax ID within minutes, provided the personal information supplied corresponds with records held by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
What you need
Applicants are required to have their 11-digit NIN, ensure that their first and last names are correctly spelled, confirm their date of birth as registered with NIMC and have access to the internet on a mobile device or computer.
Accurate matching of details is essential for successful verification.
Steps to retrieve your Tax ID
To begin, applicants are to visit the official FIRS Tax ID portal. On the homepage, users are required to select the “Individual” category and choose NIN as the preferred method of Tax ID retrieval.
After entering the 11-digit NIN, applicants are to click on the “Retrieve Tax ID” option.
The system will then request additional personal information, including first name, last name and date of birth, exactly as captured in NIMC records.
Applicants are also required to grant consent for identity verification by ticking the appropriate checkbox.
Once the details are submitted, the portal automatically carries out verification.
If the information provided matches FIRS records, a confirmation message is displayed and the individual’s Tax ID appears on the screen.
Users are advised to copy or save the number for future use, as it is required for various financial and official transactions.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by tax authorities to expand digital access to services and reduce the need for physical visits to tax offices nationwide.