Being a taxpayer means understanding the importance of contributing a portion of your earnings for the betterment of the country. As proof that you're a taxpayer and a responsible member of society, you can request a Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID from your nearest Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office.
How to get a TIN ID, you ask? It’s not as difficult as you think. Sure, the process can get tricky with all the forms you need to keep track of. Not to mention the TIN card itself isn’t as necessary as other government IDs.
But if you need a valid ID that you can easily get within a day, then this ID is a must-have. Here are the steps on how to get your TIN ID.
But if you want an ID for identification purposes that you can easily get within a day, this ID is a must. Here's a detailed guide on how to get a TIN ID, the requirements, fees, and other important things you need to know.
What is a TIN ID?
The Taxpayer Identification Number Identification Card, also called a TIN card or TIN ID card, contains a unique identification number given to every registered taxpayer in the Philippines. It’s primarily used for tax purposes but is also accepted as a valid ID when transacting with some government agencies and financial institutions.
The TIN ID contains your personal information, including your TIN, full name, birth date, issued date of the card, address, photo, and signature, which don’t expire. It’s printed and issued only by the BIR office and bears its logo.
Since it’s made of thin small cardboard, most cardholders have it laminated to protect it from scratches, watermarks, and wear and tear. Having a TIN ID verifies not just your identity but also your being a registered taxpayer.
What is the TIN ID Card Used For?
Some government agencies acknowledge a TIN card as a primary valid ID, like NBI for your clearance application and PNP for police clearance. However, some agencies, such as the SSS, PSA, and the Philippine Postal Corporation, only recognize it as a secondary ID.
In addition, the PAG-IBIG Fund and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) don’t recognize the BIR-issued ID card as the primary ID. When opening a bank account, some banks like BPI or Metrobank don’t consider it as a standalone proof of identification, but other banks like LANDBANK accept it. Since it’s a printed piece of paper, some business establishments don’t consider it a primary or standalone ID.
In short, whether you transact with a government agency, business establishment, or financial institution, bring a government-issued valid ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or postal ID as your primary identification and present your TIN card as your secondary ID.
Basic TIN ID Requirements 2022
Before we proceed to the steps on how to get a TIN ID, you need to prepare the following TIN ID requirements,[1] especially if it’s your first time registering as a taxpayer. Note that the TIN ID application is free.
- Accomplished BIR registration form[2] (either 1902 or 1904)
- One valid ID
- PSA-issued birth certificate
- Community Tax Certificate
- 1×1 picture (if applicable)
- Marriage contract (if applicable)
Read more:
- Tax Evasion Penalties in the Philippines
- Inheriting Property? Learn About Estate Tax in the Philippines First
Where to Get a TIN ID in the Philippines
Can you get your TIN ID in any BIR office? No, you can't just go to any branch for your TIN ID application.
Each taxpayer in the Philippines is assigned only one Revenue District Office (RDO) with jurisdiction over their place of residence or business. Your designated RDO is where you can pay taxes, update information, or request or replace TIN IDs. This means you need to go to your RDO to get your TIN ID.
You may check your RDO by calling the BIR Customer Assistance Division[3] or emailing contact_us@bir.gov.ph.
How to Get TIN ID for New Employees
For new employees, the HR department usually is the one tasked to process TIN ID applications.
Here are the steps on how to get your TIN ID for newbie taxpayers.
- Accomplish BIR Form 1902 and submit the TIN ID requirements to your HR.
- HR will process your application for you. Just wait for your card after a few days.
- If your employer required you to process your TIN application yourself, head to the RDO where your company is registered and submit all requirements there. Your ID will be processed within the day.
How to Get a TIN ID for Employees and Individuals with Existing TIN Number
Employers who want to get a TIN card for their employees usually want to process this by batch. But the BIR has released Revenue Memorandum Order No. 37-2019, which mandates that employees must have a personal appearance at their respective RDO for the application for the TIN card.
In cases where employees can’t visit the branch, they can receive the TIN card on the assigned date by an authorized representative. The authorized representative must have a special power of attorney (SPA) to the RDO to claim the TIN ID.
The same process goes for self-employed individuals who already have an existing TIN and want to apply for a TIN card.
How to Get a TIN ID for Unemployed Filipinos
For students and unemployed Filipinos above 18 years old, you can get a TIN ID under Executive Order No. 98. This EO makes the TIN ID an essential requirement to transact with other government offices.
Here are the TIN ID requirements for the unemployed and students:
- Birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, Community Tax Certificate, or any other document or identification issued by an authorized government body
- Passport (for non-resident aliens)
- Marriage Contract (for married women)
Once you have these requirements, just follow these steps on how to get your TIN ID:
- Accomplish BIR Form 1904[4] and bring your requirements (mainly your birth certificate) to the RDO of the city you’re residing in.
- Submit the requirements to the authorized personnel.
- Once your application is processed, wait for the issuance date of your TIN ID.
How to Replace a Lost TIN ID
If you damaged or lost your TIN ID, don’t panic. You can request a replacement card from the BIR.
Lost TIN ID Requirements
Just prepare the following requirements for replacing a lost or damaged TIN ID:
- Accomplished BIR Form 1905 (Registration Information Update Form) and BIR Form 0605 (Payment Form)
- For lost TIN ID: Notarized affidavit of loss
- For damaged TIN ID: Old ID card and a photocopy
- Marriage certificate and old TIN card (if applicable)
Steps to Replace Lost or Damaged TIN ID
Once your requirements are complete, bring them to your RDO. You can download the forms[2] needed or get copies from the RDO.
- Fill out the BIR Form 1905. Don’t forget to put an X on the “Replacement of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Card” under Part II.
- Under “Reason/Details,” put an X on the “Lost/Damaged” box.
- Proceed to the Certificate of Registration (COR) Update window and submit your accomplished BIR Form 1905 and other requirements.
- Fill out the BIR Form 0605 and have it verified on the Payment window.
- Proceed to your RDO’s agent bank to pay for your lost or damaged card. Ask for a BIR payment slip before paying the fee. The bank will have your Form 0605 machine-verified.
- After payment, head back to the RDO and submit your machine-verified Form 0605 and the receipt to the COR Update window.
- Wait for your new card to be issued to you.
You can also go through this process if you want to update the information on your card. If you want to correct a misspelling or update your civil status, just fill out the BIR Form 1905 and mark the appropriate reason with an X.
FAQs on TIN ID in the Philippines
1. Is a TIN card a valid ID?
Technically, a TIN card is a government-issued ID since the BIR issues it. However, in some cases, it’s not honored as a primary ID, but you can present it as a secondary one.
For example, when you apply for a passport at the DFA, you must use a valid ID like a driver’s license or postal ID as your primary ID and then show the TIN card as a secondary ID.
In the same way, when you check the SSS website[5] for valid IDs, the SSS ID, passport, UMID card, and PRC ID bear more weight than the TIN card, as the latter is considered a secondary ID.
2. Can I get a TIN ID online? How?
You can apply for a TIN online, but if you want to get a TIN ID card, you still have to visit your respective RDO to claim it. BIR allows you to apply via the New Business Registration (NewBizReg) Portal. Follow the instructions, and once you already have a TIN, claim the card on the assigned date.
3. How much does it cost to get a TIN ID?
The TIN ID card is free of charge and doesn’t expire. But when you apply for a business TIN, you pay a fee of ₱500 for the registration and ₱30 for the documentary stamp tax or DST. For replacement of a lot or damaged card, you pay ₱100.
4. How long does it take to get my replacement TIN ID?
If you claim it by yourself, the TIN card replacement will take only more or less 2 hours, which includes the payment at the bank. However, if you want to speed up the process, better download and complete the online forms before going to your respective RDO.
5. Can I change my name on my TIN ID?
If you’re self-employed or a professional and wish to change your name and status on your TIN ID, you may do so by filing the BIR Form 1905 (Application for Registration Information Update/Correction/Cancellation). However, the process is tricky and daunting, as you won’t just be changing your name per se, especially if your registered business name is your maiden name. (e.g. Juana B. Dela Cruz Consultancy Services to married name Juana D. Santos Consultancy Services).
You’ll have to update your Certificate of Registration (COR) at your respective RDO where you registered your TIN and request a replacement TIN ID. Of course, with the change of your COR, you also have to change the name of your official receipts and invoices and other documents related to your business registration.
Tips and Warnings When Applying for a TIN ID Card
Avoid Fixers and Scammers at All Costs
There have been countless stories of people going through "fixers" to get their TIN cards. While it's not impossible to get your TIN ID through fixers, it's not advisable for several reasons.[6]
For one, you run the risk of getting scammed by fly-by-night operators who will take your money without delivering the service. Besides, the BIR doesn't authorize third-party providers to process TIN IDs.
Second, working with fixers may result in your application being rejected by the BIR. The country’s national tax collection agency has been strict in recent years in cracking down on fixers and those who use their services.
Finally, getting your TIN ID through fixers deprives you of the opportunity to learn how to do it yourself. The process isn't complicated, and you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself.
Use Only One TIN and TIN Card for Life
If you're a taxpayer, you have a unique TIN for everything tax-related, from filing your annual income tax return to applying for a business permit.
What you might not know, however, is that you should have only one TIN for life. That's right—once you have a TIN, you don't need to get a new one, even if you move to a different city or change your civil status.
Your TIN will remain valid for as long as you’re a taxpayer in the Philippines. So next time you're asked for your TIN, rest assured that the one you have is all you need. Having two or multiple TINs is considered a criminal act.
Submit a Special Power of Attorney to Claim TIN ID via an Authorized Representative
If you need to claim your TIN ID but can't personally go to the RDO where it's registered, you can authorize someone else to claim it for you by submitting an SPA. The SPA must be notarized and signed by you, and it should indicate the full name and TIN ID of the person you're authorizing.
The authorized representative will also need to present their valid ID. Once the SPA is submitted, the authorized representative can claim the TIN ID on your behalf.
In many situations, it’s helpful to have someone else claim your TIN ID for you. For example, if you're living abroad or unable to travel to the RDO branch for any reason, authorizing someone else to claim your TIN ID can be a big help.
Final Thoughts
Before heading down to your RDO, make sure to check with your HR representative if you already have a TIN number. Applying for two TIN IDs is punishable by law with a penalty of ₱1,000 for every registered TIN.
The BIR has also issued a warning on fake TIN ID scams circulating online. TIN IDs are not for sale, and they can only be acquired from the BIR.
Sources:
- [1] Application for Taxpayer Identification Number (BIR website)
- [2] Application Forms (BIR)
- [3] BIR Customer Assistance Division
- [4] BIR Form 1904
- [5] SSS List of Accepted Valid IDs
- [6] BIR issues warning vs fake TIN IDs (PhilStar, 2019)
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