The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed widespread rumours suggesting that Nigerians will be required to obtain new physical tax identity cards under the country’s reformed tax system.
Eko Hot News reports that the clarification was issued following public confusion surrounding the implementation of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA), recently signed into law as part of broader tax reforms by the Federal Government.
FIRS explained that individuals will not be issued separate tax identification cards, stressing that the National Identification Number (NIN) already serves as the official tax identity number for individuals, while the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number functions as the tax ID for registered companies.
According to the agency, the tax identification requirement is not new, as it was first introduced under the Finance Act of 2019. However, the NTAA has strengthened and streamlined the system by harmonising all existing tax identifiers into a single, unified framework.
Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, clarified in a sensitisation video aimed at addressing misinformation circulating across social media and other platforms.
She stated that the new framework eliminates the need for multiple tax numbers issued by different tax authorities, ensuring that each taxpayer is identified through a unique and verifiable number tied directly to their personal or corporate identity.
Atoyebi emphasised that Nigerians do not need to apply for or carry any physical tax ID card, urging citizens to disregard claims suggesting otherwise. She described such reports as misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic.
The FIRS official noted that the unified tax identity system is designed to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and close loopholes that enable tax evasion, while also making compliance easier for taxpayers.
She added that the reforms are intended to promote fairness in the tax system by ensuring that individuals and businesses earning taxable income contribute appropriately, while protecting low-income earners who fall below the taxable threshold.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns following directives from some commercial banks asking customers to link their bank accounts to their National Identification Number (NIN) or tax identification details ahead of the full implementation of the new tax laws.
FIRS confirmed that banks are acting in line with compliance requirements, noting that all accounts are expected to be properly linked to a tax identity number before 2026 to support transparency and accountability.
The NTAA is part of four major tax reform bills signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, alongside the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
FIRS reaffirmed its commitment to continuous public engagement and education, assuring Nigerians that further sensitisation efforts will be intensified to ensure a smooth transition into the reformed tax administration system.
