BREAKING: Tax Reform Update- Your NIN Is Now Your Tax ID – FIRS

BREAKING: Tax Reform Update- Your NIN Is Now Your Tax ID – FIRS

 

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

In a public awareness statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, the FIRS explained that the move eliminates the need for individuals to obtain a separate Tax Identification Number.

According to the agency, registered businesses will similarly use their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number as their official Tax ID, a step aimed at streamlining tax administration and eliminating duplication across government systems.

“The Tax ID unifies all Tax Identification Numbers previously issued by the FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services into a single identifier,” the agency stated.
“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.”

Why It Matters

The clarification comes amid growing public concerns over provisions in proposed tax reforms that require a Tax ID for certain transactions, including the opening and operation of bank accounts.
FIRS stressed that the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), scheduled to take effect in January 2026, does not introduce a new requirement but reinforces an existing provision under the Finance Act of 2019.
The unified system, the agency said, is designed to:

Simplify taxpayer identification

Reduce administrative bottlenecks

Curb tax evasion

Promote fairness by ensuring eligible earners contribute to public revenue
No New Burden, FIRS Assures
The tax authority urged Nigerians to ignore misinformation circulating around the reforms, emphasizing that the policy is focused on efficiency, transparency, and ease of compliance, rather than imposing additional hardship on citizens.

With over 123 million NINs issued as of October 2025, the integration is expected to enable seamless nationwide adoption and strengthen Nigeria’s tax administration framework.