From January 1, 2026, Nigerians will no longer need to worry about lengthy or repetitive procedures to obtain or confirm their Tax Identification Number (Tax ID). In a major step toward simplifying tax administration, the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), formerly known as the Joint Tax Board, alongside the Nigerian Revenue Services (NRS), previously the Federal Inland Revenue Service, has announced the official launch of the Nigerian Tax ID Portal.
The new digital platform is designed to allow both individuals and businesses to retrieve their Tax ID seamlessly using already existing identification credentials. For individuals, the National Identification Number (NIN) will now serve as the Tax ID, while registered businesses can use their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number. This reform takes effect nationwide from January 1, 2026, aligning with broader fiscal reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to the revenue authorities, the portal eliminates the need for Nigerians to undergo an entirely new registration process to obtain a Tax ID. This addresses earlier public concerns that the introduction of new tax laws would create additional bureaucratic hurdles, particularly for citizens seeking to open bank accounts or comply with tax requirements.
The Tax Identification Number is a unique, system-generated 13-digit number assigned to every taxable individual or entity in Nigeria. It is used for tax filing, payments, and monitoring compliance across federal and state revenue systems. Under the new framework, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)-issued NIN has been fully integrated into the tax system for individuals, while CAC numbers perform the same role for corporate entities.
How individuals can retrieve their Tax ID
For individual Nigerians, the process has been simplified into a few clear steps:
First, visit either www.taxidjtb.gov.ng or www.taxidnrs.gov.ng using an internet-enabled device. On the homepage, select the “Individual” option. You will then be prompted to choose National Identification Number (NIN) as your identification method.
Next, enter your 11-digit NIN and click on “Retrieve Tax ID.” To confirm your identity, you will be required to input your first name, last name, and date of birth exactly as they appear in NIMC’s database. Once verified, click “Continue,” and your 13-digit Tax ID will be displayed on the screen instantly.
How businesses can retrieve their Tax ID
For registered companies and other non-individual entities, the steps are equally straightforward. Visit the same portal addresses and click on the “Corporate” tab. Select the appropriate organisation type—such as limited liability company, business name, or incorporated trustee—and enter the relevant CAC registration number. After clicking “Retrieve Tax ID,” the system will generate and display the entity’s 13-digit Tax ID.
Why this matters
The launch of the Tax ID portal is part of a wider effort to modernise Nigeria’s tax system, reduce duplication, and improve compliance through clarity rather than coercion. By leveraging existing national databases, the government aims to reduce administrative costs, curb fraud, and ensure that taxpayers are correctly identified across federal and state platforms.
This development is also closely tied to the four tax reform laws enacted under the Tinubu administration. Two of these laws came into effect in June 2025, while the remaining two take effect on January 1, 2026. Despite public debate and legislative scrutiny surrounding aspects of the reforms, the government has reiterated its commitment to full implementation.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has stated that the new tax regime will deliver broad-based relief across the economy. According to him, about 98 percent of Nigerian workers will either pay no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax or pay significantly reduced amounts. Similarly, roughly 97 percent of small businesses will be exempt from corporate income tax, value-added tax, and withholding tax, while larger companies will benefit from lower effective tax burdens.
Oyedele noted that the reform bills spent nine months at the National Assembly, from October 2024 to June 2025, allowing ample time for preparation. Since the laws were signed, the government has focused on system upgrades, capacity building, and stakeholder sensitisation to ensure a smooth rollout.
With the Tax ID portal now live from January 2026, Nigerians can expect a more transparent, efficient, and user-friendly tax administration system that supports economic growth, inclusivity, and shared prosperity.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
