TIN Verification in Nigeria: Step-by-Step Process to Check a TIN Online
Dealing with fraud and potential penalties resulting from an incorrect or unverified TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) can lead to serious challenges, including compliance issues, penalties, and delays.
To avoid these risks, it is crucial to perform a TIN check and ensure your TIN is properly verified to guarantee your business is registered and compliant with Nigeria’s tax regulations.
This guide provides a comprehensive, easy-to-follow process of TIN verification and how to check your Nigerian tax number online. This ensures that your business meets the necessary legal requirements and remains compliant with Nigerian tax laws.
What is a TIN in Nigeria?
A TIN is a unique identifier issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for individuals and businesses in Nigeria. It is essential for all entities engaged in business activities, including companies, sole proprietors, and other organizations, to conduct activities such as filing taxes, registering for VAT (Value Added Tax), and opening bank accounts.
To ensure your TIN is accurate, it is vital to perform a TIN status lookup to maintain compliance with local regulations and avoid potential penalties. The TIN appears on various official documents, including tax returns, registration certificates, and communications with Nigerian tax authorities.
Importance of the TIN Registration for Businesses & Individuals
To ensure your business is compliant and properly registered, it’s recommended to verify TIN online regularly, using the official FIRS website or third-party verification tools. Non-compliance or failure to update TIN details can result in penalties.
The TIN is required for filing tax returns, including corporate income tax and value-added tax (VAT). Non-compliance with Nigerian tax laws can result in severe penalties. Late Filing of Tax Returns attracts a penalty of ₦25,000 for the first month, ₦5,000 for each subsequent month.
Note: As of 2025, non-compliance with tech deployment, planning disclosure, or dealing with unregistered vendors can attract fines of up to ₦5 million.
Why Verify a TIN in Nigeria?
TIN verification helps ensure compliance with Nigeria’s regulatory requirements, protects your business from fraudulent activities, and ensures that you can access government services and benefits without issues.
Using an incorrect or unverified TIN can have serious consequences, including:
- Fines: An invalid TIN can lead to penalties from the relevant authorities, especially if it’s used on official documents, business filings, or in transactions with government agencies.
- Denied Benefits: A wrong or unverified TIN can lead to the denial of access to government services, tax benefits, or VAT registration.
- Reputational Damage: If vendors or business partners discover discrepancies in your TIN, it can damage your business’s reputation and impact future dealings.
Note: Many vendors and business partners implement strict due diligence policies to ensure they’re working with legally compliant businesses. These policies often require the validation of the TIN to confirm that your business is properly registered with the relevant authorities in Nigeria.
TIN Format Explained
The format of the TIN number varies depending on the entity type, but it typically includes a combination of letters and digits. Below is a breakdown of the TIN structure in Nigeria:
| Issuing Authority | Format | Example | Explanation |
| Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) | 12 digits: NNNNNNNN-NNNN | 12345678-0001 | Issued to entities such as businesses and corporate bodies. The format is 12 digits, with a hyphen separating the last four digits as a branch identifier. |
| Individual TIN | 10 digits: NNNNNNNNNN | 1234567890 | Issued to individuals and employees. The format is strictly 10 digits without any hyphens or letters. |
Common TIN typos in Nigeria include missing digits (e.g., 1234567890 instead of 12345678901). Incorrect entity codes (e.g., using a generic code instead of CORP for businesses) and wrong year codes (e.g., 1234567890-20 instead of 1234567890-21) are also common.
These typos can easily be avoided with regular TIN verification. Additionally, businesses and individuals should perform a TIN lookup Nigeria to confirm the validity of their TIN before submitting any tax-related documents.
Step-by-Step Process to Verify a TIN on the Official Nigeria Portal
In Nigeria, the process of verifying a TIN can be done online through Nigeria’s official portal. Regular TIN verification helps maintain tax compliance and avoids delays.
Note: If you’re specifically looking to validate the TIN number, you can check the Nigeria TIN number using the same portal.
To verify a TIN in Nigeria, follow these simple steps using the official Nigeria portal:
- Visit the FIRS website and go to the FIRS TIN Verification.
- Enter your TIN (FIRS or JTB TIN) in the search value field and click on the Start Verification button.
- The system will show the current status of your TIN, confirming whether it is valid and active.
Troubleshooting Invalid or Inactive Results
During your TIN verification, you may encounter error messages indicating that the number is invalid or inactive. Below is a troubleshooting guide to help you resolve common errors and find quick fixes:
| Error Message | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
| Invalid or Not Recognized | TIN is not registered with the FIRS or entered incorrectly. | Double-check the FIRS for errors or re-enter it correctly. |
| Inactive ID | TIN may have been newly issued or deactivated. | Allow time for processing or confirm activation with FIRS. |
| No Record Found | TIN is not linked to any active account or business. | Verify with the FIRS portal or ensure the business is correctly registered. |
| Mismatch with Records | TIN does not match the details in FIRS’s database (e.g., name, address, etc.). | Confirm the details (name, address, etc.) submitted are correct. |
The Role of Licensed Tax Agents in TIN Registration & Verification
Licensed tax agents play a crucial role in assisting businesses with the TIN verification and registration process. They help ensure that businesses are compliant with Nigerian laws. Tax agents provide services such as:
- Filing business documents.
- Managing appeals and disputes.
- Ensuring compliance with Nigerian tax regulations.
- Providing tax advice on how to handle complex filings or disputes.
TIN Verification in Nigeria: Why It Matters for Local Businesses?
TIN verification is crucial for businesses in Nigeria to stay compliant with regulatory requirements, avoid penalties, and maintain smooth operations. Ensuring the validity of your TIN is essential for businesses involved in transactions, registrations, and or those looking to check the Nigeria TIN number for tax compliance.
A TIN check ensures businesses are aligned with Nigeria’s regulatory framework, preventing issues with business registration and legal compliance and avoiding the use of fraudulent or incorrect TIN numbers.
Local businesses dealing with suppliers or partners, both within Nigeria and internationally, must ensure TIN verification to avoid regulatory issues.
Bulk & Automated TIN Validation
Manually verifying TINs can be slow and error-prone, especially for businesses handling large volumes. Commenda simplifies the process through automated TIN verification using CSV uploads and a powerful Bulk TIN validation API.
Manual TIN check involves entering numbers one by one, which is time-consuming and prone to mistakes. In contrast, Commenda’s API enables real-time TIN verification of hundreds or thousands of records within seconds.
Additionally, Commenda supports Nigeria tax registration number checks, allowing businesses to verify TIN numbers along with other tax registration details seamlessly.
Commenda offers a simple API for seamless TIN check integration into your system. It delivers 99.9% uptime for uninterrupted TIN verification.
Explore all features with a 14-day free trial and see how Commenda’s Bulk TIN validation API and CSV upload options can simplify your TIN check.
Conclusion: Nigeria TIN Verification Made Simple
For businesses operating in Nigeria, maintaining tax compliance requires more than just TIN verification. Commenda delivers an end-to-end solution that handles TIN registration, validation, tax filing, and ongoing compliance management through our automated platform.
Our technology simplifies tax identification processes with bulk TIN validation via CSV upload or API integration, processing thousands of records while ensuring full compliance with FIRS and state tax authority requirements.
Beyond verification, we streamline the entire tax lifecycle, from initial TIN registration to accurate tax return preparation and timely submissions, all designed to keep your business compliant.
Ready to streamline your TIN verification process? Request a free demo and see how Commenda makes TIN checks fast, accurate, and compliant.
FAQs on TIN Verification in Nigeria
Q. What is a TIN in Nigeria, and how is it different from a tax registration certificate?
A TIN is a unique tax identifier for businesses in Nigeria, while a tax registration certificate confirms a business’s registration with tax authorities.
Q. Why should I verify the TIN online before issuing an invoice or purchase order?
Verifying a TIN ensures it is valid and active, helping to avoid issues with tax filings, compliance, and dealing with non-compliant vendors.
Q. What penalties can my business face for quoting an invalid or inactive TIN on tax returns in Nigeria?
Quoting an invalid or inactive TIN may result in denied claims, financial penalties, and interest charges. Repeated violations can lead to audits and further penalties.
Q. How do I check the real-time status of a TIN on the official Nigeria government portal?
Visit the FIRS TIN Verification portal, enter the TIN number, and get real-time status updates on the validity of the TIN.
Q. Can I still claim input tax credit / GST refund if my supplier’s TIN is later canceled?
Yes, as long as the supplier’s TIN was valid at the time of the transaction, and you keep valid invoices and proof of supply.
Q. How long does it take for a newly issued TIN to appear as “active” in the online lookup tool?
New TINs usually become searchable within 24–72 hours of registration. If delayed, contact the SAT authorities for resolution.
Q. What common errors cause a “No records found” result when I try to validate a TIN?
Common errors include typos, incorrect state codes, outdated TINs, or entering a number that’s not yet activated.
Q. Is there a free API or bulk CSV upload option to bulk-verify TIN’s for hundreds of vendors at once?
The official portal doesn’t provide bulk verification, but services like Commenda offer API and CSV upload for bulk TIN validation.
Q. How often should finance teams re-check supplier TIN numbers to ensure compliance with Mexican regulations?
It’s best to verify TINs at least quarterly or before large payments to ensure suppliers’ registration status is active.
Q. Does the official Nigeria TIN verification portal provide historical data on status changes (e.g., “active” to “suspended”)?
No, the portal only shows the current TIN status. Businesses need to track historical changes internally or through tracking software.
Q. What data privacy safeguards apply when I submit a TIN lookup through third-party services like Commenda?
Reputable platforms like Commenda use GDPR-compliant practices and encrypted data transfer to ensure your information is secure during TIN lookups.
Q. When is it mandatory to engage a licensed tax agent for TIN registration or verification in Nigeria?
While not mandatory for most, a licensed tax agent is recommended for non-resident businesses or complex filings to ensure accurate filings and quicker resolution of queries.
