*For Registered Firms, Use Your CAC RC Number, It Adds
The National Identification Number (NIN) issued by National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) now automatically serves as the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual Nigerians.
The clarification came from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on its X, as part of a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws.
The welcome news came amid growing concern among Nigerians over details of the nation’s new tax laws requiring a tax ID for certain transactions, including bank account ownership.
The Service added that registered businesses will no longer need a separate Tax ID. Instead, their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number will function as their official tax identifier under the revised system.
The FIRS stated that the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), set to take effect in January 2026, mandates the use of the tax ID for specific transactions, pointing out that this requirement is not new as it has existed since the Finance Act of 2019 and is now being reinforced under the NTAA.
FIRS stated: “The Tax ID unifies all Tax Identification Numbers previously issued by the FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services 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, as the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity.”
The FIRS explained that the objective of the new system is to simplify taxpayer identification, eliminate duplication, prevent tax evasion, and ensure fairness by making sure every person with taxable income contributes their share.
The Service also urged the public to ignore any misinformation about the reform, assuring Nigerians that the updated tax framework is intended to enhance efficiency and transparency in tax administration.
