Govt to convert NIC number for unique TIN

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has stated that measures are underway to convert a person’s National Identity Card (NIC) number to their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) using the personnel information data base of the of the Department of Registration of Persons.

He noted that this data base has personnel details of 14-15 million persons of over 18 years of age it will get biometric data base following the rollover of e-NIC shortly

The government will be able to automatically issue the TIN without burdening the people by converting NIC number to TIN easing their burden in obtaining registration with the Inland Revenue Department.

State Minister Siyambalapitiya said that the issuance of TIN will also be continued for 14 categories of people who are required to obtain tax registration from the IRD and the new process will be able to use the NIC number as TIN by other persons who are not obliged to pay taxes.

Sri Lanka’s national identity infrastructure is also well developed, and the government is in the process of digitising the National Identity Card (NIC). Ownership of NICs is high in Sri Lanka, reported at 95 per cent for men and 90 per cent for women.

Earlier, the government announced that the final deadline to voluntarily register for TIN is February 1. 

This procedure of converting NIC to TIN was discussed at a high level meeting held at the Presidential Sectretariat on Tuesday with the participation of Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, IRD Commissioner General W.A. Sepalika Chandrasekara and several senior officials.  (Bandula)