The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that submitting a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will become mandatory for several financial, commercial and administrative transactions from November 1, 2026.
The new requirement, introduced under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2026, directs officials at relevant institutions to verify the submission of a valid TIN Certificate before processing or completing specified transactions.
Accordingly, individuals will be required to submit their TIN Certificates for the following transactions:
- Opening accounts at banks and other financial institutions.
- Obtaining credit cards.
- Registering businesses.
- Registering land and land titles.
- Obtaining approvals for building plans.
- Registering motor vehicles and renewing vehicle licences.
- Transferring shares in companies incorporated in Sri Lanka, with both the transferor and transferee required to submit TIN Certificates.
The IRD reiterated that obtaining a TIN is mandatory for all resident individuals who were aged 18 or above as of December 31, 2023, as well as those who turned or will turn 18 on or after January 1, 2024, in accordance with Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2334/21.
Individuals who intend to undertake any of the specified transactions but have not yet obtained a TIN have been advised to register through the IRD’s online e-Services platform.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue clarified that individuals who do not possess their official TIN Certificates can obtain verification through the department’s online portal.
A printout of the online verification result, clearly displaying the individual’s National Identity Card (NIC) number and TIN, will be accepted as a valid alternative to the official certificate.
