TIN and CAC RC number — Nigerian business identity
How TIN and CAC numbers are issued, why the 10-digit JTB unified format matters, and how both identifiers feed into FIRS MBS, bank KYC and AfCFTA cross-border trade.
Every business operating in Nigeria carries two foundational identifiers: a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number (RC for companies, BN for business names, IT for trusts) and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued through the Joint Tax Board (JTB) unified system. The CAC number is granted at the moment of incorporation under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) and proves legal personality. The TIN, since the JTB-FIRS unification rolled out fully in 2020, is a single 10-digit number used for federal taxes (CIT, VAT, WHT, PAYE) and recognised by all 36 State Internal Revenue Services. Without a valid TIN you cannot open a corporate bank account, register for FIRS MBS, file VAT returns, register a property, bid for a government contract or import goods through Nigeria Customs.
- TIN: 10-digit unified number, issued by JTB, used across FIRS and all 36 SIRS.
- CAC RC number: company registration under CAMA 2020, issued at incorporation.
- Required for bank accounts, property, customs, FIRS MBS and government bids.
- JTB unification since 2020 ended the previous patchwork of state-level TINs.
How it works
Incorporate the entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). For a limited liability company under CAMA 2020, this means a name reservation on the CAC portal, then registration as Private Limited Company (RC number) or Business Name (BN number) for sole traders and partnerships. Documents include the proposed memorandum and articles, particulars of directors and shareholders, a registered office address and the share capital declaration. Most registrations are completed in three to seven working days through the CAC online system.
Apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) through the FIRS portal or the JTB consolidated registration. For incorporated entities, TIN is now generated automatically at the point of CAC registration and pulled into the JTB database — there is no separate manual application required for newly incorporated companies under CAMA 2020. Existing entities and unincorporated taxpayers (sole traders, NGOs) apply directly to FIRS with a CAC certificate or other proof of identity.
Verify your TIN format. The unified TIN is exactly 10 digits (NNNNNNNNNN) with no separators or prefixes. The previous 8-digit TIN issued before the 2020 unification is no longer accepted on TaxPro-Max or MBS — affected taxpayers must request a TIN re-issuance at the nearest FIRS office or through the JTB portal. The first two digits encode the tax office of registration but are not exposed to the taxpayer.
Link the TIN to your corporate bank account through Bank Verification Number (BVN) and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Nigerian banks are required by CBN regulations to verify the TIN against the JTB database before opening or maintaining a corporate account. The same TIN is then used by Nigeria Customs for import duties, by the FIRS for federal taxes and by State Internal Revenue Services for PAYE and personal income tax on directors and staff.
Use both numbers consistently on every invoice. Every tax invoice issued in Nigeria must show the seller's TIN and ideally the CAC RC number. Once you enrol on FIRS MBS, the TIN is the primary identifier in the clearance payload — and the buyer's TIN is required to validate the message. Missing or wrong TINs are the single most common cause of MBS rejection during the pilot phase.
Legal framework
- Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
- Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007 (TIN issuance).
- Joint Tax Board (JTB) Consolidated Tax Registration Regulations 2020.
- CBN KYC/AML Regulations on TIN verification for bank accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Are CAC RC number and TIN the same thing?
No — they are two separate identifiers. The CAC RC number proves legal existence under CAMA 2020 and is issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission at incorporation. The TIN is issued by FIRS through the JTB unified system and proves tax registration. Since 2020, however, the TIN is generated automatically when a company is incorporated through CAC, so most new businesses receive both at the same time. Unincorporated taxpayers (sole traders, NGOs) only have a TIN and no RC number.
What does the 10-digit TIN format look like?
Exactly ten digits with no spaces, dashes or prefixes — for example 1234567890. The previous 8-digit TIN (NNNNNNNN) and older state-level numbers were phased out by the JTB unification completed in 2020. The first two digits encode the FIRS tax office of registration, but this is internal — the taxpayer sees and uses the full 10-digit number. TaxPro-Max and FIRS MBS will reject any TIN that does not match the unified 10-digit format.
How long does CAC registration take in 2026?
Three to seven working days for a straightforward Private Limited Company registration on the CAC online portal under CAMA 2020, assuming the name is approved on the first attempt and the share capital and director documents are in order. Business Name (BN) registration for sole traders is typically faster, often completed within forty-eight hours. Complex structures (foreign-owned companies, regulated activities) may take longer due to additional clearances from sector regulators.
Do I need a TIN to open a corporate bank account?
Yes — Nigerian commercial banks are required under CBN KYC and AML regulations to verify a corporate customer's TIN against the JTB database before opening or maintaining a bank account. The TIN, the CAC RC number, the BVN of every director and the signatory mandate are the core documents requested. Without a valid TIN you cannot open an account, receive bank transfers above retail thresholds, or issue cheques in the company name.
Is there a fee for obtaining or renewing a TIN?
No — TIN issuance and renewal are free of charge through FIRS and the JTB. There is no annual fee or expiry on the TIN itself once issued. Some third-party agents charge a fee to handle the application, but the underlying service is free. Be cautious of websites or individuals offering 'TIN registration' for a fee — always apply directly through the FIRS portal or visit a FIRS tax office.