Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaveera, has requested the public not to wait in queues outside Inland Revenue Department offices to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
The Deputy Minister urged the public not to panic unnecessarily, noting that steps are being taken to introduce a new, alternative method to make obtaining a TIN easier.
He further stated that the Inland Revenue Department will soon issue a special announcement regarding a new system. This system will ensure that the public no longer needs to visit Inland Revenue Department offices to obtain a TIN certificate for services such as acquiring a driver’s license, obtaining a revenue license, or opening a bank account. Under the proposed new system, individuals who have not yet registered for a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) certificate may provide a copy of their National Identity Card, a currently active mobile phone number, and an email address to the institution from which they are seeking services.
Subsequently, the relevant institution will coordinate directly with the Department of Inland Revenue to complete the TIN registration process while simultaneously providing the service requested by the applicant.
The Deputy Minister explained that the institution will forward the applicant’s information to the Department of Inland Revenue, which will then issue the TIN—or income tax number—to the email address provided by the applicant. Furthermore, he noted that individuals can also obtain their TIN and income tax certificates through the Department of Inland Revenue’s online system by using their National Identity Card number and registered email address.
The Deputy Minister stated this while addressing Parliament today (03).