The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that the National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) now automatically functions as a Tax Identification Number for Nigerians.
This clarification follows public concerns surrounding provisions in tax laws that require a Tax ID for bank account ownership.
Figures from the NIMC show that as of October 2025, 123.9 million Nigerians had been enrolled and issued a NIN.
In a public sensitisation campaign on the new tax laws shared on X on Monday, the FIRS explained that for registered businesses, the RC number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) now automatically serves as their Tax ID under the revised tax framework.
According to the Service, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), scheduled to take effect from January 2026, mandates the use of a Tax ID for certain transactions. However, it stressed that the requirement is not entirely new, noting that it has existed since the Finance Act of 2019 and has only been reinforced under the NTAA.
The FIRS stated that the new Tax ID system is designed to simplify identification processes, eliminate duplication, close tax evasion loopholes, and promote fairness by ensuring that all individuals earning taxable income contribute appropriately.
“The Tax ID unifies all TINS previously issued by FIRS and states IRS 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; the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity,” the Service said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, dismissed claims that all bank accounts must be linked to a Tax Identification Number before January 2026.
He explained that Section 4 of the NTAA requires only taxable persons—defined as individuals earning income through trade or other economic activities—to obtain a Tax ID.
Oyedele added that students, dependents, and individuals without taxable income are not required to have a Tax ID, noting further that anyone operating a business or corporate bank account since 2020 already possesses a tax identification number.