The announcement was part of a public awareness campaign on Monday, aimed at explaining provisions of the new tax laws set to take effect under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) from January 2026.
Under the new system, registered businesses will also no longer need a separate Tax ID, as their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number will serve as their official tax identifier.
FIRS noted that the requirement for a TIN is not entirely new, as it was first introduced under the Finance Act of 2019. The NTAA strengthens the system by unifying all previously issued Tax Identification Numbers from FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services into a single, streamlined identifier.
“The Tax ID simplifies identification, reduces duplication, closes loopholes for tax evasion, and ensures fairness by requiring everyone earning taxable income to contribute appropriately,” the FIRS stated. “Individuals do not need a physical card, as the Tax ID is linked directly to the NIN, while companies use their CAC RC number.”
The clarification comes amid public concerns that certain transactions, such as owning bank accounts, would require a TIN. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, had previously said banks will be required to request a TIN from all taxable Nigerians under the new framework.
FIRS urged Nigerians to disregard misinformation surrounding the reforms and emphasized that the changes are designed to improve efficiency and transparency in tax administration.