Bureau of Internal Revenue
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino taxpayers can now avail themselves of their digital Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced Thursday.
This system is an additional feature of the BIR’s Online Registration and Update System (ORUS) and seeks to give taxpayers an easier alternative to getting their TIN, the bureau said in a statement.
“With this new system, we can eliminate the practice of fixers and scammers selling TIN online while giving taxpayers a convenient alternative in getting a TIN, instead of lining up at our Revenue District Offices,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in the statement.
Taxpayers with existing TINs can apply for the digital TIN ID through the ORUS.
To start, users need to update their email address by emailing a Registration Update Sheet to their respective Revenue District Office or through BIR’s eServices – Taxpayer Registration Related Application Portal.
After completing this step, taxpayers can create their ORUS account, log in, and follow the outlined registration process.
Users must submit clear photos of themselves to obtain the digital TIN ID during the process.
The BIR added that uploading unrelated images, such as photos of animals, artists, cartoons, or others’ photos, will result in penalties.
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The bureau said that the digital TIN ID is a permanent document and that the physical TIN card and its digital version remain valid.
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“Holders need not secure a physical card if they possess a digital TIN ID,” the BIR added.
The bureau also reminded taxpayers that the digital TIN ID is free and not for sale.
“Taxpayers availing of the services of online sellers of TIN ID assistance risk the possibility of getting invalid/fake TIN and wrong taxpayer type classification, which may impact on their future transactions with the BIR,” it continued.