How To Get Your Tax Identification Number

I don come back! I already gist una about the new tax rules wey go start January 2026, but now make I break am down properly, make e sweet for your ear. This one na TIN matter, Tax Identification Number. If you dey Naija, dey hustle, dey earn small or big money, this one concern you well-well.

Abeg, no dull for this one. TIN na your official tax ID. It no just dey for paying tax; it dey help government sabi who dey earn how much, plan better, give incentives, and confirm say your hustle dey legit. Think am like your tax passport. No TIN, no official recognition for your income or business.

From January 2026, the new tax law don clear road: more people must get TIN. No hiding, no side-eye, no small-small hustle wey government go ignore. Even your small side gig fit dey included if e don cross threshold.

Who Must Register

Listen well, because this one na the pepper wey dey give people headache. Who dey “You Must Get TIN” lane?

Individuals: If your annual income don pass N800,000, you gatz get TIN. No matter whether na full-time job or side hustle. Chukwuemeka, your Uber driver padi wey dey earn N900k/year, no excuse again. Government wan see am, make e official.
Companies: Any company wey turnover don reach N100 million or get fixed assets above N250 million must get TIN. That small tech startup wey dey do apps, or that garment factory wey dey Lagos mainland, once you dey above threshold, government dey watch.
Self-employed, freelancers, gig economy people: Yes o, this one na your lane. Freelancers wey dey earn from Upwork, Fiverr, digital creatives, crypto traders, online sellers, your hustle no dey small-small again if e cross limit. TIN must dey.
Property and investment players: Anybody wey dey register houses, cars, or dey invest in official channels wey go attract tax, e dey mandatory.

Basically, if your money dey move officially and e don big pass some level, TIN na your new must-have ID.

Who Fit Chill

Now, make we balance am small, no be everybody go need wahala. Who dey “Fit Chill” lane?

Individuals wey dey earn below N800,000 per year. No need rush to office yet. E dey cool.
Small businesses wey turnover never reach N100 million. Na your “small-small hustle” lane.
Certain agricultural startups (first five years dey tax-free) dey safe. If you dey plant cassava, vegetables, or small poultry farm and e dey first five years, government dey give you break.

Example: Auntie Nkechi wey dey sell akara for junction dey safe. She fit dey chill. Tolu wey start tech startup but e never reach turnover threshold dey cool for now.

How to Get Your TIN Without Wahala

For those wey don enter the “must register” lane, no shaking. E no rocket science.

Individuals: Register online via FIRS portal or waka go local tax office. You go need valid ID (like National ID or Driver’s License) and link am to your BVN.
Businesses: Register with Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) or FIRS. Make sure say all your company documents dey correct.
Tips: Double-check your details, link BVN, follow steps carefully. No play with this one o, because mistakes fit make government reject your application.

Why You Should Care

You dey wonder, “Why I gatz worry about TIN?” My guy, no forget say TIN na your key to official economy. You go need am if:

You wan open corporate bank account.
You wan invest legally.
You dey pay salaries correctly.
You wan enjoy government incentives.

No TIN fit mean fines, wahala with banks, or difficulty in official transactions. Government dey serious, and them dey ready monitor compliance.

Takeaways: Na Your Move No

If you earn pass N800k/year, get TIN sharp-sharp.
If your company turnover don reach threshold, register now.
If your hustle dey small, fit chill, but keep eyes open.
Start early, no wait for January 1 to rush.

E dey like this: Government dey set new rules, but e still get common sense for street. Know your lane, register if you must, and avoid later gbege. Na your hustle, your future, your money. TIN fit look like tax wahala, but na passport to legit Naija economy be that.

So, my people, TIN 2026 no be scam. If you dey eligible, no dull. If you dey chill lane, enjoy small-small life but keep am for mind. As Naija dey move, better to dey ready than dey catch last bus.