Rs. 50,000 fine for persons with no TIN: IRD

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced a penalty of Rs. 50,000 for individuals who fail to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Individuals aged 18 or above on or after January 01, 2024, are now required to register with the IRD and get hold of a TIN.

In addition, income tax is due on any individual whose yearly income exceeds Rs. 1.2 million.

However, the Ministry of Finance clarified that tax responsibility is not always implied by the presence of a TIN.

Moreover, many actions require a TIN, such as opening a current account, applying for approval of a building plan, renewing a license, and registering a car or land title deeds.

Therefore, the public can visit the IRD, mail, or use the e-service to register for the TIN.

The following are the procedures for requesting registration:

1. Online Registration

Proceed as directed below after heading on over to the Inland Revenue Department’s website, www.ird.gov.lk

* Go to e-Services, select “Access to e-Services” then, “Taxpayer Registration.”

* Choose the pertinent category, complete the provided application form, and submit it.

* Once received, the application form will be examined by the IRD.

* Following that, a certificate will be mailed to the email address you provided, containing a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and a one-time PIN (OTP).

You can build your web account with online services by following the preceding procedures.

See http://www.ird.gov.lk/en/eservices/sitepages/registration.aspx?menuid=180101 for guidelines.

2. Submit a registration request via mail or in person at the Inland Revenue Department

* Complete the Application for Registration form and submit it to the Primary Registration Unit, located on the second floor of the IRD Head Office at Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2, or any nearby Regional or Metropolitan Office.

* To download the Application for Registration please click:
http://www.ird.gov.lk/en/Downloads/TaxpayerRegistrationDocs/TPR_002_E-R2.0.pdf

According to the IRD, in order to register through e-service, a PDF of the National Identity Card (including scanned copies of both sides) must be uploaded.

Besides, a copy of a valid document needs to be uploaded if the address mentioned on the NIC has changed.