How to Get Your First TIN ID in the Philippines

By: PayPilipinas

What are the steps in applying for a TIN ID in the Philippines?

Before you can pay taxes in the Philippines, you must first have your permanent number. This string of 9 to 12 digits numeric code is your Tax Identification Number or TIN. Aside from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), where you remit your tax payments, other government agencies may also require them for certain transactions.

That said, it is handy to have an identification card that reflects your TIN that you can pull out whenever you need it. This is where the TIN ID becomes handy.

What are the contents of a TIN ID?

A TIN ID carries the following information:

  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
  • Name
  • Address
  • Birthday
  • Date of Issue
  • Signature
  • Space for your picture

Your TIN ID may serve as a valid identification card in most cases. However, it is best to confirm with the agency you are transacting with to be sure.

How to request a TIN ID?

There are four major steps in requesting a TIN in the Philippines:

  1. Determining your taxpayer type
  2. Filling out the BIR form
  3. Submitting the form to the RDO
  4. Payment and TIN claiming

Selecting your taxpayer type

There are different brackets for taxpayers in the Philippines, depending on how you earn your income. Under BIR classification, the following are some of the common taxpayer types:

  • Employee
  • Self-employed 
  • Professionals
  • Partnerships
  • Cooperatives
  • Corporations

Select the one that best applies to you or your business and complete the form.

Filling out the form

Below are the forms for the different taxpayer categories. Select the one that applies to you and fill out all the required fields.

1. BIR Form 1901

  • Self-employed
  • Mixed-income earners
  • Non-resident alien in trade, business, estates, or trusts

For those applying for a TIN before employment, you will use the BIR Form 1901.

2. BIR Form 1902

  • Local employees earning purely compensation income
  • Alien employees earning purely compensation income

Your employer may also send in your application via the eREG system. To avoid penalties, you must accomplish your registration within ten (10) days from employment.

3. BIR Form 1903

  • Corporations
  • Taxable Partnerships
  • Non-Taxable Partnerships

4. BIR Form 1904

  • One-Time Taxpayer
  • Persons Registering under Executive Order 98
    • Government permit applications
    • Licenses
    • Clearances
    • Official paper or document

5. BIR Form 1905

  • Updating information
  • Correcting information

BIR Form submission to RDO

Submit the completed BIR form and the required documents to the RDO (Revenue District Office) of the city or municipality where you reside. Depending on your classification, BIR may ask for other documents to go with your application form. These documents include but are not limited to:

  • Any identification issued by an authorized government body
  • Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and ID for representatives
  • DTI Certificate for businesses
  • Franchise documents
  • Trust agreements for trusts
  • Proof of Registration or Permit to Operate

Payment and TIN claiming.

Pay the annual registration fee of Php 500 and other documents. After payment, the RDO will issue a Certificate of Registration and your TIN. To get your TIN ID, all you need to do is present your registration certificate and present a valid ID.

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