NIN Now Serves As Tax ID For Nigerians – FIRS Announces

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will now serve as a Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) for Nigerians.

This clarification follows public concern over tax rules that require a Tax ID for certain activities, including owning and operating bank accounts.

Reports by NIMC show that about 123.9 million Nigerians had been registered and issued a NIN as of October 2025.

In a public awareness campaign shared on X on Monday, FIRS explained that under the new tax framework, registered businesses will also not need a separate Tax ID.

It noted that the registration number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) automatically functions as their Tax ID.

According to the agency, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), which is expected to take effect in January 2026, requires the use of a Tax ID for specific transactions.

However, FIRS stressed that this policy is not entirely new, noting that similar rules have existed since the Finance Act of 2019 and have now been reinforced under the NTAA.

FIRS said the updated system is designed to make identification easier, prevent multiple registrations, block tax evasion, and promote fairness by ensuring that everyone who earns taxable income pays their share.

“The Tax ID unifies all TINS previously issued by FIRS and states IRS into a single identifier.

“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; the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity,” the FIRS stated.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, addressed concerns that all bank account holders must have a Tax ID before January 2026.

Oyedele clarified that this is not the case.

He explained that the law applies to people who earn taxable income, meaning those engaged in business, trade, or other economic activities.

Oyedele added that individuals without income, such as students and dependents, are not required to obtain a Tax ID.

He also noted that anyone operating a business or corporate bank account has already been required to have a tax identification number since 2020.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu had launched a new personal income tax calculator designed to help Nigerians understand and comply with upcoming tax reforms.