NIN is Now Your Tax ID: How to Retrieve Your 13-Digit Code in 2 Minutes

Important Notice: Effective January 1, 2026, the 11-digit NIN remains your national identity, but it now links directly to a 13-digit Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Tax ID. You must retrieve this specific 13-digit number for banking and official filings.

If you’ve heard that your NIN is now your Tax Identification Number (Tax ID), you’re not alone. As of January 2026, Nigeria’s tax system has officially harmonized. If you have a NIN, you already have a Tax ID—you just need to “activate” and retrieve it.

Why the Change?

Under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, the government has unified identities to:

• Reduce Paperwork: No more separate registrations for TIN.
• Banking Compliance: Banks now require this 13-digit ID to keep business accounts active.
• Fairness: Ensuring that everyone earning taxable income is captured in the net.

How to Retrieve Your 13-Digit Tax ID (3 Ways)

Option 1: The Official NRS Portal (Recommended)

This is the most reliable way to get your official 13-digit number.

1. Visit taxid.nrs.gov.ng or taxid.jrb.gov.ng.
2. Click on the “Individual” tab.
3. Select “National Identification Number (NIN)” as your search criteria.
4. Enter your 11-digit NIN and your Date of Birth.
5. Click “Retrieve Tax ID”. Your new 13-digit number will be displayed instantly.

Option 2: USSD Code (For 11-digit NIN retrieval)

If you have forgotten your actual 11-digit NIN itself, dial *346# from the phone number linked to your NIMC registration. Note: This retrieves your NIN, which you then use on the NRS portal mentioned above to get your Tax ID.

Option 3: Visit an NRS or State IRS Office

If your details don’t appear online, visit any Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) office or your State Internal Revenue Service (e.g., LIRS for Lagos) with your NIN slip for manual linking.

Who Needs This Immediately?

• Business Owners: To prevent “operational paralysis” or frozen corporate accounts.
• Employees: To ensure your PAYE tax is correctly credited to your name.
• Freelancers: For receiving international payments and clearing withholding tax.