Getting a Tax Identification Number in the Philippines

A TIN is the most important form of government identification in the Philippines. An advantage of this form of identification is that it does not have an expiration date.

The following are steps to take when applying for a tax identification number:

  1. Bring the required documents such as a PSA birth certificate or a valid ID to the local Bureau of Internal Revenue.
  2. Ask for assistance in locating the proper type of TIN application form.
  3. Complete and submit the provided TIN form.
  4. Wait while the form is processed, and the TIN is assigned.
  5. Request a TIN ID card.
  6. Either wait for the card or return the next day for pick-up.

Usually, a TIN is provided to:

  • New individual taxpayers
  • New juridical taxpayers

Individuals who do not have an income are also able to obtain an E.O. 98 TIN from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The purpose of registering through E.O. 98 is to acquire the ability to complete transactions with government agencies and offices. For this reason, employed and unemployed individuals are permitted to apply for TINs through the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Applicants of a new TIN are not limited to the following types of individuals:

When applying for a TIN, the Bureau of Internal Revenue will first check its system to verify that the individual has not already received a TIN. According to the amended National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, the ownership of more than one TIN is illegal; therefore, it is important to ensure that individuals do not already have TINs during the application process.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue's eRegistration is the easiest way to acquire a TIN online. This eRegistration offers convenient services such as:

  • Online TIN issuance
  • The ability to pay the registration fee online
  • The provision of the Certification of Registration

The Bureau of Internal Revenue sends the TIN registration status and confirmation via email; therefore, it is important that applicants obtain valid email addresses prior to registering.

An employee seeking a new TIN must go through his or her employer. In this situation, the employer must create an eRegistration account and complete the application form for the employee. If the employer does not have an account nor wish to create one, then he or she must complete the registration offline. To do this, he or she has to visit the either the employer's Revenue District Office or the employee's local Revenue District Office.

It is important to note the eRegistration is only intended for the following individuals:

  • Professionals
  • Mixed-income individuals

This means that if someone applies using the eRegistration, he is claiming to be be either a professional or mixed-income individual. The Bureau of Internal Revenue will view the individual as a business and expect him to complete tax returns and pay taxes. Therefore, if an individual that registers online does not file a tax return, he is considered in violation and can be penalized by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. These violations will remain open until the individual closes the case by paying the penalty.

A TIN should be kept accessible because it is needed when working, doing business, and earning pay.

To avoid complications, those who are currently unemployed and are seeking to acquire TINs for bank accounts should visit the Bureau of Internal Revenue's Revenue District Office.

Fiji Tax Identification Numbers

Every citizen of Fiji should obtain a TIN. In Fiji, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service issues these TIN to identify the various tax and duty payer sections.

Fiji uses the TIN to assist with the following tasks:

  • Handling queries
  • Locating correspondences
  • Storing the information of individuals that are registered for customs and tax reasons

Individuals obtain TINs to adhere to customs and tax legislation duties like:

  • Securement of yearly income taxes
  • Securement of monthly employment summaries

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