Nearly five million eligible individuals are yet to obtain their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) despite it being made mandatory, Inland Revenue Department (IRD) Commissioner Nandana Kumara said.
Addressing the media, he revealed that although close to 12 million TINs have been issued since the gazette notification enforcing compulsory registration, a significant portion of the population still remains outside the system.
The gazette requires all individuals aged 18 and above to register for a TIN, including those who turned 18 by December 31, 2023, and those reaching the age of 18 after January 1, 2024.
According to the Commissioner, the IRD expects to register around 17 million people nationwide. However, current figures show that at least five million eligible citizens have not yet completed the registration process.
He explained that while obtaining a TIN became a legal requirement, many people did not initially receive their numbers. The department later processed pending applications and issued TINs, bringing the total registered individuals to nearly 12 million.
Commissioner Kumara emphasized that TINs are now essential for a range of financial and legal transactions, including opening bank current accounts, transferring vehicle ownership, renewing vehicle licenses, obtaining building approvals and registering or transferring land deeds.
He urged those who have not yet registered to do so without delay, noting that voluntary compliance is expected to increase in the coming months as public awareness grows.
