Sri Lanka Makes TIN Mandatory for Bank Accounts, Vehicle Registration and Land Deals

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will become mandatory for a range of key transactions from November 1, 2026, under provisions introduced through the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2026.

According to the IRD, obtaining a TIN is mandatory for all resident individuals who were 18 years of age or older as of December 31, 2023, as well as those who reach the age of 18 on or after January 1, 2024.

The Department stated that every individual who registers for a TIN will be issued a TIN Certificate and that, beginning November 1, the document must be produced when carrying out several specified transactions:

- To open any account at any bank or financial institution

- To obtain approval for a building plan

- To register a motor vehicle

- To renew the license of a motor vehicle

- To register a land or title to a land

- To register a business

- To transfer shares of a company incorporated in Sri Lanka, by the transferee and transferor

- To obtain a credit card

The IRD noted that responsible officials involved in processing these transactions have been instructed to ensure that a valid TIN Certificate is submitted before any of the specified services can be completed.

The Department has urged individuals who have not yet obtained a TIN to register through the IRD's e-Services platform and ensure that they possess a valid TIN Certificate before engaging in any of the specified transactions.  

(https://eservices.ird.gov.lk/Registration/TINRegistration/ShowRequestHeader).

In addition, the IRD stated that individuals can verify their TIN through the Department's online portal. A printed copy of the verification result displaying both the National Identity Card number and the TIN may also be accepted as an alternative to the official TIN Certificate for these purposes.

(https://eservices.ird.gov.lk/Registration/verifyirdinformation/index).