Saturday Oct 31, 2026
Saturday Oct 31, 2026
Saturday, 31 October 2026 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reminded the public that a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate will be mandatory for eight specified transactions from 1 November, under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026.
The requirement applies to persons specified under Section 102(3) of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, as amended. They will need a TIN certificate to open an account at a bank or financial institution, obtain a credit card, obtain approval for a building plan, register a motor vehicle, renew a motor vehicle licence, register land or a land title, register a business, or transfer shares in a Sri Lankan-incorporated company, with the last requiring a certificate from both the transferor and the transferee.
Relevant officials and institutions must ensure the certificate is submitted before processing or completing any of these transactions, the IRD said.
The obligation to obtain a TIN applies to resident individuals aged 18 or above as of 31 December, 2023, and to those who turned or will turn 18 on or after 1 January, 2024, upon reaching that age. It was introduced through Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2334/21 of 31 May, 2023.
Individuals without a TIN can register through the IRD’s e-Services portal, where they can also verify their TIN. A printout of the verification result clearly showing the individual’s National Identity Card (NIC) number and TIN may be accepted in place of the official certificate. The Commissioner General of Inland Revenue urged the public to obtain and verify their TIN certificates before the deadline to avoid delays.
