Government requires all Nigerians to obtain a tax identification number

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), working with the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), has launched a new Taxpayer Identification (Tax ID) system that will apply to all taxable persons in the country. The move is part of a broader effort to modernise tax administration and boost compliance.

The announcement appeared in a public notice posted on the agency’s X account on Monday.

According to the NRS, the initiative is supported by Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which require every taxable person to obtain a Tax ID.

The agency said the new system will strengthen tax administration, increase transparency, and streamline service delivery across federal and sub‑national tax authorities.

“The Tax ID will serve as a single, unified identity for all taxpayers, enabling seamless interaction with tax authorities at both federal and sub‑national levels,” the NRS said.

“It is designed to consolidate taxpayer records, eliminate duplication, and ensure more efficient management of tax‑related information,” it added.

The revenue authority noted that the Tax ID will simplify compliance procedures, including registration, tax filing, and payment.

“The initiative will simplify tax compliance processes, including registration, tax filing, and payment procedures,” the agency said.

The NRS also said the system would enhance accountability in tax collection by improving the visibility and tracking of taxpayer information.

“The system will improve transparency by enabling better visibility and tracking of taxpayer records while reducing leakages and improving accountability in tax collection,” the agency said.

“The framework will also harmonise taxpayer information across all levels of government.”

As part of the transition, the new Tax ID system will replace the existing Tax Identification Number (TIN) Validation API that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions, and other organisations currently use.

The agency directed organisations that need integration or validation services for individuals, enterprises, and business names to contact the Standardisation and Modernisation Department of the JRB for access to the new API and integration guidelines.

It added that organisations involved in validating corporate entities should contact the Tax Automation Department of the NRS.

The reform is part of a broader effort by the revenue authorities to digitise Nigeria’s tax ecosystem and improve compliance through more efficient and integrated systems.

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