FIRS official logo with a digital concept representing the use of NIN as a Tax ID for Nigerians.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is moving to simplify how Nigerians handle their taxes. Starting January 2026, individuals will no longer need to apply for a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Instead, your National Identification Number (NIN) will automatically double as your tax ID.

Registered businesses are also getting a breather. Under the revised tax framework, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration numbers will function as the official tax identifiers for companies. 

This shift aims to eliminate the stress of managing multiple identification numbers for different agencies.

This clarification from the FIRS follows recent public concerns over new laws requiring a Tax ID for essential transactions, including opening and operating bank accounts.

While the requirement may seem sudden to some, the FIRS noted that the rule has actually been in place since the Finance Act of 2019. The upcoming Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), effective January 2026, simply strengthens this existing policy to create a more unified system.

By merging these databases, the government intends to close loopholes that allow for tax evasion. The FIRS explained that a single, linked identity ensures fairness, making sure every income earner contributes their quota to national development.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, further confirmed that banks will be mandated to request these identifiers from taxable citizens starting January 1, 2026.

The FIRS has urged the public to disregard misinformation regarding the reform. The agency maintains that the new system is purely about efficiency, transparency, and making life easier for law-abiding taxpayers.

Essentially, your identity is now your tax key, no physical cards or extra registrations required.