For years, the words “Tax Identification Number”triggered anxiety for many Nigerians. It often meant long queues, repeated visits to tax offices, confusing requirements, and frustrating delays. For individuals and businesses alike, getting a Tax ID felt less like a civic duty and more like an obstacle course.
Many Nigerians quietly worried that future tax compliance would only get harder — more forms, more offices, more stress.
But a major shift is coming. And this time, it promises to make life easier.
From January 1, 2026, Nigeria will officially turn the page on the old Tax ID experience and usher in a simpler, faster, and fully digital system designed to remove unnecessary barriers and modernize tax administration.
A New Era Begins: One Identity, One Tax ID
The Joint Revenue Board (JRB), in collaboration with Nigerian Revenue Services, has announced the launch of the Nigerian Tax ID Portal — a centralized platform that eliminates the need for separate Tax ID applications.
Under the new system:
* Individuals will use their National Identification Number (NIN) as their Tax ID
* Businesses will use their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number
In other words, the identity Nigerians already have now doubles as their tax identity.
This move confirms an earlier decision by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which aligned tax administration with Nigeria’s national identity framework. Instead of creating yet another number to remember, existing records are now directly linked to the tax system.
The result?
No fresh registrations.
No duplicate documentation.
No extra stress.
What This Means for Nigerians
This reform removes one of the biggest fears around tax compliance — complexity.
With the new setup:
* Bank accounts can be opened without additional tax paperwork
* Identity verification and tax records are seamlessly connected
* Individuals and businesses are automatically captured in the tax system
Even with the changes, a Tax Identification Number remains a unique, system-generated 13-digit number, used by authorities to manage and track taxable persons. The difference is that access is now instant and digital.
How Individuals Can Retrieve Their Tax ID
Retrieving a Tax ID under the new system is refreshingly simple:
1. Visit the official Nigerian Tax ID Portal
2. Select “Individual” on the homepage
3. Choose National Identification Number (NIN) as the retrieval method
4. Enter your 11-digit NIN and click Retrieve Tax ID
5. Provide your first name, last name, and date of birth
These must match NIMC records exactly
6. Click Continue
Within seconds, your 13-digit Tax ID appears on the screen.
How Businesses Can Retrieve Their Tax ID
The process for businesses follows a similar, straightforward path:
1. Visit the tax portal homepage
2. Select the Corporate option
3. Choose the appropriate organisation type
4. Enter the CAC registration number
5. Click Retrieve Tax ID
The system immediately displays the business’s 13-digit Tax ID.
More Than Convenience: Part of a Bigger Tax Reform
This portal is not just about ease — it is a key pillar of Nigeria’s wider tax reform agenda under the Tinubu administration.
So far:
* Four major tax reform laws have been passed
* Two took effect in June 2025
* The remaining two will commence on January 1, 2026
Despite intense public debate, the government has made it clear: implementation will move forward.
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has emphasized that the reforms are designed to reduce, not increase, the burden on Nigerians.
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According to him:
* About 98% of workers will pay lower PAYE tax — or none at all
* Approximately 97% of small businesses will be fully tax-exempt
* Large companies will also benefit from reduced tax liabilities
Preparing the Ground Before the Takeoff
The tax reform bills spent nine months at the National Assembly, allowing government agencies ample time to prepare. Since their approval, authorities have intensified efforts in:
* Staff training
* Technology upgrades
* Public awareness campaigns
The goal is clear: a smoother rollout with minimal disruption.
The Big Picture
Taken together, the new Tax ID system and accompanying reforms aim to:
* Boost economic growth
* Encourage financial inclusion
* Support shared prosperity
* Build trust between citizens and the tax system
For millions of Nigerians, the message is simple: Tax compliance no longer has to be stressful.
And for the first time in years, the future of taxation in Nigeria feels not just manageable — but genuinely hopeful.
