The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will now automatically function as the Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) for individual Nigerians.
The clarification was made through a public awareness message shared by the tax authority on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, as part of ongoing sensitisation on Nigeria’s new tax reforms.
According to FIRS, Nigerians are not required to apply separately for a Tax ID, as their existing NIN already fulfils that purpose under the new tax framework.
For registered businesses and companies, the Service stated that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Registration (RC) number will automatically serve as the organization’s Tax ID.
Background and Public Concerns
The announcement comes amid growing public discussions and concerns surrounding provisions in Nigeria’s evolving tax laws, particularly reports suggesting that a Tax ID may become mandatory for owning or operating bank accounts.
In response, FIRS explained that the Tax ID requirement is not a new policy, noting that it has existed in Nigeria’s tax system for several years.
What the Law Says
According to the FIRS, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) — which is expected to take effect from January 2026 — formally mandates the use of a Tax ID for certain financial and official transactions.
However, the agency emphasized that similar provisions were already introduced under the Finance Act of 2019, with the NTAA only strengthening and harmonising the system.
Under the new framework, all previously issued Tax Identification Numbers by FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services will be unified into a single, national Tax ID system.
“For individuals, your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, the CAC RC number is used,” the FIRS stated.
What This Means for Nigerians
- Individuals do not need to apply for a separate Tax ID
- Your NIN automatically doubles as your Tax ID
- Businesses will use their CAC RC number as their Tax ID
- The policy aims to simplify tax administration and improve compliance
EbiraHub will continue to monitor developments around Nigeria’s tax reforms and provide updates that matter to the Ebira people and Nigerians at large.
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