FIRS Denies Claims Nigerians Need Separate Tax ID To Operate Bank Accounts

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed claims that Nigerians must obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) before owning or operating a bank account, stressing that the new framework is fully integrated with existing national registries such as the National Identification Number (NIN) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records.

The clarification follows public concern over reports suggesting that, from January 2026, Nigerians would be required to present a TIN to open or maintain a bank account.

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, described the reports as misleading in a post on X titled “Explainer: Comprehensive Framework of the Tax ID.”

She explained that the TIN is a 13-digit identifier designed to capture the details of taxable individuals and entities across Nigeria, including the year of issuance, registry source (NIN for individuals, RC for companies), state of registration, and a security check digit.

“The TIN is not a standalone requirement imposed on citizens. It is a statutory tool that ensures every taxpayer — individual, business, or association — can be uniquely verified within the national tax system,” she wrote.

For individuals, the TIN is automatically linked to their NIN. When a person provides their NIN during bank account opening or Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, the system cross-checks the national database and automatically attaches the TIN to their records.

Businesses, cooperatives, and professional bodies are also covered, with their TIN tied to CAC registration numbers or other recognised registries.

Atoyebi emphasized that the framework is aimed at simplifying tax compliance, improving financial access, and preventing fraud, rather than creating additional bureaucracy for Nigerians.