As Nigeria ushers in a transformed tax administration framework, the Joint Revenue Board and Nigerian Revenue Service have unveiled a streamlined process for citizens and businesses to secure their Tax Identification Numbers ahead of the January 2026 implementation date. The newly launched Nigerian Tax ID Portal eliminates the complexities of earlier registration requirements, allowing individuals and organisations to retrieve their unique 13-digit Tax ID numbers with minimal documentation in just minutes.
The portal’s introduction represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to tax administration, replacing the fragmented system where multiple agencies issued different tax identification numbers. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Tax ID will serve as the unified identifier for all tax purposes, banking operations, and commercial transactions throughout the country.
The Tax Identification Number, commonly referred to as Tax ID, functions as a unique, system-generated identifier assigned to all taxable persons operating within Nigeria’s jurisdiction. Unlike previous systems that required separate registrations across federal and state revenue services, the Tax ID consolidates these identities into one universal number.
According to information published by the Joint Tax Board, the Tax ID comprises 13 digits and serves dual purposes: it fulfills tax administration requirements under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, and it enables seamless participation in financial transactions, particularly banking operations. The NTAA, which takes effect January 1, 2026, mandates the use of Tax IDs for specific transactions, creating what government officials describe as a fairer, simpler, and more transparent tax system.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service has clarified a critical point: Nigerians holding a National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission already possess a Tax ID. Similarly, registered businesses whose details are captured in the Corporate Affairs Commission database automatically have a Tax ID linked to their CAC registration number. The portal simply allows citizens and businesses to retrieve and confirm these pre-existing numbers.
The Joint Revenue Board provides two identical portal addresses to ensure accessibility and redundancy. Individuals and organisations can access the system through either website without encountering functional differences.
The portal addresses are www.taxidjtb.gov.ng or www.taxidnrs.govng. Both sites direct users to the same retrieval system, and the board recommends bookmarking either address for quick future reference. The system operates continuously, allowing retrieval at any time of day, though the official launch date is January 1, 2026.
Step-by-Step Process for Individuals
Step One: Access the Portal
Navigate to either www.taxidjtb.gov.ng or www.taxidnrs.govng in your preferred web browser. The homepage displays two primary tabs: “Individual” and “Corporate.” For personal Tax ID retrieval, select the “Individual” tab. This directs users to the individual-specific retrieval interface.
Step Two: Select Your Identification Method
The portal presents identification options for individuals. Choose “National Identification Number (NIN)” from the available options. Users without an NIN can select alternative identification methods, though the NIN option remains the most straightforward approach, as every Nigerian adult holding a valid National Identification Card possesses this 11-digit number.
Step Three: Enter Your NIN
Input your 11-digit National Identification Number precisely as it appears on your NIMC identification document. The system is designed to reject incorrectly formatted numbers, so accuracy is essential. Ensure no spaces or special characters are included—the NIN should consist of 11 consecutive digits.
Step Four: Proceed to Personal Information Entry
Once the NIN is accepted, the portal advances to the next section, requesting personal information. You must provide three specific details exactly as recorded by the National Identity Management Commission: your first name, your last name, and your date of birth.
Critical to this step is the phrase “exactly as captured by NIMC.” Any deviation—whether through spelling variations, abbreviated names, or date format differences will cause the system to fail to retrieve your information. If your NIMC records show “Chidinma” but you enter “Chidimma,” the portal will not locate your Tax ID. Verify this information against your NIMC slip or national identity card before proceeding.
Step Five: Click Continue and Retrieve
After entering the required information and confirming accuracy, click the “Continue” button. The system processes the request against the national database. Within seconds, your 13-digit Tax ID number is displayed on the screen. Some portals include an option to click “Retrieve Tax ID” explicitly before the number appears.
Step Six: Record Your Tax ID
Once displayed, immediately note your 13-digit Tax ID. The portal typically allows users to copy the number, take a screenshot, or print a confirmation page. Government agencies recommend saving this information in a secure location and providing it to your financial institution.
Step-by-Step Process for Registered Businesses and Organisations
Step One: Access the Corporate Portal
Navigate to www.taxidjtb.gov.ng or www.taxidnrs.govng and select the “Corporate” tab on the homepage. This directs non-individual users to the business-specific retrieval interface designed for companies, registered organisations, incorporated trustees, and other legal entities.
Step Two: Select Your Organisation Type
The portal presents dropdown options requesting the selection of an appropriate organisation type. Categories typically include sole proprietorships operating as registered entities, limited liability companies, public companies, partnerships, incorporated trustees (for non-profits and religious organisations), and foreign companies operating in Nigeria. Select the classification that accurately describes your organisation’s legal structure.
Step Three: Enter Your CAC Registration Number
Input your Corporate Affairs Commission registration number. This unique identifier is assigned when your business is registered with the CAC and appears on your certificate of incorporation. The CAC number is mandatory and must be accurate. If you no longer possess your original registration documents, the CAC website allows searching for registered businesses and retrieving registration details.
Step Four: Initiate Retrieval
Click “Retrieve Tax ID.” The system connects to the CAC database, verifying your business registration and confirming that your organisation exists in the national registry.
Step Five: Confirm and Collect Your Number
The portal displays your 13-digit Tax ID associated with your business registration. The number links directly to your CAC registration number and serves as your official tax identifier. This same number applies to all employees and operations under your organisation’s registration.
The announcement of the new Tax ID system triggered widespread anxiety among Nigerians, particularly regarding banking restrictions and mandatory registration requirements. Government officials have issued clarifications addressing the most pressing concerns.
According to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, the Tax ID requirement applies only to “taxable persons”—individuals or entities earning income through trade, business, or other economic activities. Students without income, dependents, and non-working individuals are not required to obtain a Tax ID, contrary to concerns circulated on social media.
The Executive Secretary of the Joint Tax Board, Olusegun Adesokan, emphasised that provisions in Section 8(2) of the NTAA do not imply that Nigerians without a Tax ID will have their bank accounts blocked or frozen from January 1, 2026. However, individuals and businesses earning taxable income must provide a Tax ID for financial transactions, loan applications, investment accounts, insurance policies, and pension operations.
For individuals who already operate bank accounts registered for business or income purposes since 2020, a Tax ID has already been assigned during account creation. Such individuals need only retrieve this existing number through the portal rather than registering anew.
The Joint Tax Board recommends verifying your information before submitting through the portal. If the system fails to locate your record after entering correct information, it may indicate a discrepancy between your personal records and NIMC or CAC databases.
In such cases, the board suggests contacting the nearest Federal Inland Revenue Service office or State Internal Revenue Service branch. Alternatively, in-person registration remains available at FIRS, State IRS, and Joint Tax Board offices nationwide. Those choosing this route should bring valid identification (NIN slip, driver’s license, or international passport), documentation of their business registration (for corporate entities), and a utility bill for address verification.
The registration process remains completely free. No official payment is required for Tax ID retrieval or verification. Any request for payment should be reported to authorities, as fraudulent schemes exploiting citizens’ confusion about the new system have been documented.
The consolidation of tax identifiers under a single system addresses longstanding inefficiencies in Nigeria’s tax administration. Previously, individuals and businesses often held multiple tax identification numbers issued by different revenue services, creating duplicate records, inconsistent data, and opportunities for tax evasion.
By January 2026, the NTAA mandates that all taxable persons operating within Nigeria maintain a single, unified Tax ID. Financial institutions, insurance companies, investment platforms, and pension administrators are required under Section 8(2) of the Act to request Tax IDs from all taxable customers. This requirement strengthens Nigeria’s tax compliance infrastructure while simplifying processes for law-abiding citizens.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service notes that as of October 2025, Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission had issued NINs to 123.9 million Nigerians—representing substantial coverage across the population. For the vast majority of these citizens, their NIN already functions as their Tax ID, and portal retrieval simply confirms this linkage.
The portal officially launches on January 1, 2026, though preliminary access has been granted to early users. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to retrieve their Tax IDs before this date to avoid potential delays. Financial institutions will begin requesting Tax IDs from customers during this period as they transition to the new system.
The implementation represents the culmination of Nigeria’s broader fiscal and tax reforms, initiated through the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. The reforms aim to broaden the tax base, reduce compliance burden for honest taxpayers, and modernise tax administration to align with international standards and best practices.
For queries regarding the portal, tax identification, or NTAA implementation, the Joint Tax Board maintains information channels through its official website and social media platforms. Citizens can also contact FIRS field offices in their respective states for personalised assistance.