How to Get a TIN Number in Nigeria (2026)
Quick Answer: From January 2026, your National Identification Number (NIN) is automatically your Tax ID if you are an individual. If you own a registered business, your CAC Registration Number (RC or BN) is your Tax ID. You do not need to apply for a separate TIN anymore — but you do need to verify it and link everything up properly.
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What You’ll Need
For Individuals
- Your NIN (National Identification Number)
- A smartphone or computer with internet access
- Your BVN (useful for cross-verification)
For Businesses
- Your CAC Certificate (RC or BN Number)
- Director’s NIN
- CAC-registered email address
Estimated Cost: Free
Estimated Time: 5–10 minutes online
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The Big 2026 Change: Your NIN Is Now Your Tax ID
This is the part most people miss.
Under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, which came into force on January 1, 2026, the government merged two previously separate registration systems. From 1 January 2026, your National Identification Number (NIN) automatically serves as your Tax ID — individuals do not apply for a separate TIN. [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025; NRS]
- Individuals: Your 11-digit NIN from NIMC is now your Tax ID. No separate TIN registration needed.
- Businesses: A registered business’s CAC number (RC number for companies, BN for business names) serves as its corporate Tax ID from 2026 — the RC number for a Limited Company, or BN number for a Business Name. [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025; NRS]
The body that used to handle TIN registrations — the Joint Tax Board (JTB) — has been replaced by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) from January 2026. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is now operating as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025 is one of the four 2025 reform acts — alongside the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act — all signed on 26 June 2025 and effective 1 January 2026. [SOURCE: Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025]
If you registered under the old JTB system, your old TIN is still valid — but verify it on the new NRS portal anyway.
The clearest takeaway: if you have a NIN, you already have a Tax ID. Now you just need to know where to find it.
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How to Get Your TIN Number in Nigeria (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Check If You Already Have a Tax ID
Before you do anything else, check first.
1. Go to taxid.nrs.gov.ng
2. Click the “Individual” tab
3. Select National Identification Number (NIN) as your search criteria
4. Enter your 11-digit NIN
5. Your Tax ID appears on screen — it’s usually your NIN or a linked 13-digit reference
Pro tip: Your NIN must be fully enrolled and active with NIMC. If it isn’t, dial `*346#` (₦20, on MTN, Airtel, Glo, or 9mobile) to retrieve your NIN on the phone number linked to your NIMC record. [SOURCE: NIMC]
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Step 2: How to Get Your TIN Number Online (If You Don’t Have a NIN Yet)
If you still need a NIN:
1. Visit the nearest NIMC enrolment centre — find one at nimc.gov.ng
2. Bring your birth certificate or valid passport, a utility bill, and two passport photographs
3. Enrolment is free
4. Once your NIN is issued, it automatically functions as your Tax ID under the 2026 system [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025]
Common mistake: Do not pay anyone to “help” you get a NIN or TIN. NIMC enrolment is free. Touts outside enrolment centres have no official role — walk past them.
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Step 3: Businesses — Use Your CAC Number as Your Tax ID
If you own a registered business:
1. Your registered business’s CAC number — your RC Number (Limited Company) or BN Number (Business Name) — serves as its corporate Tax ID from 2026 [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025; NRS]
2. Verify it at taxid.nrs.gov.ng — select the “Non-Individual” tab and enter your RC or BN number
3. Your director’s NIN must be linked to the business record at CAC
Pro tip: A name spelling mismatch between your CAC records and your NIN will return a “No Record Found” error. Fix it at CAC before you verify — this can take a few days, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
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Step 4: What If You Registered Under the Old JTB System?
If you got a TIN before January 2026 through the old JTB portal:
1. Your old TIN remains valid — you do not lose it
2. Go to taxid.nrs.gov.ng and use the TIN Verification tool
3. Link your NIN to your profile — the new system won’t accept filings without a linked NIN
4. If you see an “Invalid TIN” message, visit the nearest NRS (formerly FIRS) office with your old TIN certificate and NIN
Pro tip: Do not wait for a bank to flag your account before you check. Banks are already running mandatory verification under the NTAA 2026 mandate. Sort it now.
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Step 5: Download Your Tax ID Certificate
Once verified on the NRS portal:
1. Log in with your NIN and linked email
2. Navigate to “My Tax Profile”
3. Download your Tax ID confirmation or Tax Clearance Certificate
4. Store it — you’ll need it for bank account opening, government contracts, and CAC renewals
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Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIN enrolment (NIMC) | Free | At any NIMC centre |
| TIN verification (NRS portal) | Free | At taxid.nrs.gov.ng |
| Business Name (CAC/Sole Prop) | ₦30,000 | TIN bundled in registration |
| Private Limited Company (LTD) | ₦10,000/₦1M share capital + ₦21,000 + ₦7,500 | TIN bundled in registration |
| Incorporated Trustee (NGO/Church) | ₦51,000 | TIN bundled |
| Company Limited by Guarantee | ₦51,000 | TIN bundled |
Lint handles business registration for Sole Proprietorships, Private Limited Companies, NGOs, and Companies Limited by Guarantee — with TIN bundled in the same registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] You get your CAC certificate and your Tax ID in a single flow, without chasing multiple offices.
Business Name registration via Lint costs ₦30,000. A Private Limited Company costs ₦10,000 per ₦1M share capital, plus ₦21,000 and ₦7,500. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
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Why You Need a Tax ID in 2026
This isn’t just a compliance checkbox. Here’s when your Tax ID actively matters:
- Opening a business bank account — a Tax ID is now required for certain transactions, including operating a bank account for business or other taxable activity [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025]
- Winning government contracts — no Tax ID, no bid
- VAT registration — if your annual turnover exceeds ₦50,000,000 (raised from ₦25 million under the reforms), businesses above this must register for VAT, and your Tax ID is the gateway [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Act 2025]
- Monthly PAYE filings — you file PAYE for your employees under your business Tax ID
- Getting paid by large corporates — many Nigerian companies require your Tax ID on invoices before they process payment, especially where WHT applies
The most common trigger we hear: a big client requests a proper invoice with your Tax ID before they’ll release payment. That’s usually what makes this urgent. If that’s where you are right now, the steps above will sort you out fast.
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Common Mistakes Nigerian Business Owners Make
1. Assuming the old TIN process still applies
It doesn’t. Under the 2026 system, your NIN or CAC number is your Tax ID. Running the old JTB registration route is now redundant for most people.
2. Name mismatches between NIN and CAC records
“Adeyemi” on your NIN and “Adeyemi O.” on your CAC certificate will break verification. Check both. Fix the discrepancy at CAC before you try to verify on the NRS portal.
3. Paying third parties to “process” your TIN
The NRS portal is free. Verification is free. Anyone charging you a processing fee for TIN retrieval is collecting rent on your confusion — don’t pay it.
4. Not linking your NIN to your NRS profile
Even if your old TIN is valid, the new system requires a linked NIN for all filings. Missing this step will block your Tax Clearance Certificate when you actually need it.
5. Mixing up individual and business Tax IDs
Your personal NIN covers your individual tax obligations. Your registered business needs its own Tax ID — even as a sole proprietor. They are not interchangeable.
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What Lint Does After You Have Your TIN
Getting your Tax ID is the starting line, not the finish.
Once your business is registered and your Tax ID is active, Lint keeps you compliant without adding to your daily workload:
- Lint Payroll — PAYE computation, pension, NHF, payslip, and remittance, all at ₦500 per employee per payroll run. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
- WHT auto-deduction and remittance on contractor payments — Lint handles Withholding Tax automatically, so you’re never scrambling during an audit. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
- Expense management and approval workflows — track business spending and manage team expenses without a spreadsheet in sight. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
- Automated bank transfers at ₦50 per transfer (stamp duty and other bank charges apply). [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
Registering your business through Lint means CAC registration, TIN, and your compliance foundation happen in the same flow. No extra steps, no extra offices.
Register your business on Lint →
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FAQs
How can I get my TIN number online in Nigeria?
Visit taxid.nrs.gov.ng. If you’re an individual, enter your NIN under the “Individual” tab — your NIN is your Tax ID from January 2026. If you’re a business, enter your CAC RC or BN number under the “Non-Individual” tab.
How much does it cost to get a TIN number in Nigeria?
Verification is free through the NRS portal. If you need to register a business to get a business Tax ID, a Business Name costs ₦30,000, a Private Limited Company costs ₦10,000 per ₦1M share capital plus ₦21,000 plus ₦7,500, and an NGO or Company Limited by Guarantee costs ₦51,000. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] TIN is bundled with each registration.
Can I open a TIN online?
Yes. For individuals, your NIN already serves as your Tax ID — verify it at taxid.nrs.gov.ng. For businesses, your CAC RC or BN number is your Tax ID automatically from 2026. No separate application required under the new system.
How long does it take to get a TIN number online in Nigeria?
Verification takes under 10 minutes if your NIN is active and your details match across systems. If there’s a mismatch or your old TIN hasn’t migrated to the NRS system, expect 1–5 business days to resolve at an NRS office.
What if my NIN is not linked to my tax record?
Log in to taxid.nrs.gov.ng and use the NIN linking tool. If you see “Register on TaxPro Max” or “Invalid TIN”, take your NIN and old TIN certificate to the nearest NRS office.
Is my NIN the same as my TIN?
From January 2026, yes — for individuals. Your NIN functions as your Tax ID under the NTAA 2025. Under section 4 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, every taxable person must obtain a Tax ID; people with no taxable income (e.g. students, dependents) are not required to. [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025]
Does my business need a separate TIN if I already have a personal one?
Yes. Your NIN covers your individual tax obligations. Your registered business needs its own Tax ID — its CAC RC or BN number. These are always separate, even if you are the only director.
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Related Tools & Links
- Lint Business Registration — Register your Sole Prop, LTD, or NGO with TIN bundled in the same step
- Lint Payroll — PAYE, pension, NHF, and disbursement in one automated flow
- Free PAYE Calculator → — Work out take-home pay, PAYE, pension, and rent relief in seconds
- NRS TIN Verification Portal — Official portal to verify or retrieve your Tax ID
- NIMC NIN Enrolment — Find an enrolment centre near you
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Written by the Lint Editorial Team. Last reviewed: May 2026.
Official sources: Nigeria Revenue Service (taxid.nrs.gov.ng) · NIMC (nimc.gov.ng) · Corporate Affairs Commission (cac.gov.ng)
Related on Lint
- Free PAYE Calculator (2026) — see take-home pay, tax and pension in seconds.
- Lint Payroll — run salary, PAYE, pension and salary advances in one funded run.
