IRD Gov LK _ TIN Registration, Check TIN & e-Services _ ird.gov.lk

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is Sri Lanka's tax authority, and almost everything it handles now runs through two official websites: ird.gov.lk for information and notices, and the e-services portal at eservices.ird.gov.lk for actually getting things done. The big change you need to know about is this: from 1 November 2026, a valid TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) certificate is compulsory for everyday transactions like opening a bank account, registering a vehicle or registering land. If you're an adult living in Sri Lanka and you don't have a TIN yet, this page explains what the IRD does, who must register, and how to get and check your TIN online, free of charge.

Quick facts

What the IRD does and which taxes it runs

The Inland Revenue Department collects most of the tax revenue that funds the Sri Lankan government. If you pay tax in Sri Lanka, you almost certainly deal with the IRD, whether you notice it or not. Your employer deducts tax from your salary and sends it to the IRD. Your bank deducts tax on interest and sends it to the IRD. The prices you pay in shops include VAT, which businesses collect and hand over to the IRD.

The main taxes the department administers are:

• Income tax — on salaries, business profits, rent, interest and other income.
• VAT (Value Added Tax) — charged by registered businesses on goods and services.
• APIT — Advance Personal Income Tax, the tax your employer withholds from your monthly salary and pays over on your behalf.
• AIT — Advance Income Tax, deducted at source on things like bank interest.
• SSCL — the Social Security Contribution Levy.
• Stamp duty — on documents such as deeds and certain agreements.
• Betting and gaming levy — on betting and gaming businesses.

Beyond collecting, the IRD registers taxpayers, issues TINs, receives tax returns, runs audits and assessments, and answers taxpayer questions through its head office in Colombo, its regional offices, and the 1944 call centre.

Who must get a TIN

Under Section 102 of the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017, registering for a TIN is mandatory for every resident individual who was 18 years or older on 31 December 2023, and for anyone who turns 18 on or after 1 January 2024. It doesn't matter whether you earn anything. A student with no job, a homemaker, a retired person — if you're an adult resident, the law says you register. Failing to register carries a penalty of Rs 50,000, so this isn't something to put off. Our separate walkthrough on how to register for a TIN online covers the application screen by screen.

The 8 transactions that now need a TIN certificate

The Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2026 changed things again. As IRD notice SEC/PN/IT/2026/05 explains, from 1 November 2026 you must submit a valid TIN certificate when you carry out any of these eight transactions:

1. Opening an account at a bank or financial institution
2. Getting approval for a building plan
3. Registering a motor vehicle
4. Renewing a motor vehicle licence
5. Registering land, or title to land
6. Registering a business
7. Transferring shares in a company
8. Obtaining a credit card

The officer handling your transaction has to verify your TIN before completing it. The good news: you don't always need the original certificate. A printout of the online verification result, as long as it clearly shows your NIC number and your TIN, is accepted in place of the certificate. We break down each of the eight in our post on the November 2026 TIN certificate rule.

How to register for a TIN online, step by step

Registration is free and you do it on the e-services portal. Before you start, scan or photograph both sides of your NIC and save it as a PDF — you'll upload it during the application.

1. Go to eservices.ird.gov.lk and open Taxpayer Registration.
2. Choose Individual as the registration type and select the purpose (for most people, income tax).
3. Type your NIC number, full name, date of birth and address exactly as they appear on your NIC. A spelling mismatch is the most common reason applications get stuck.
4. Add your mobile number and an email address you actually check.
5. Upload the PDF of both sides of your NIC and submit.
6. Watch your email. The IRD sends your TIN certificate and a one-time PIN, usually within a few working days. You use that PIN to activate your e-services account.

Prefer paper? You can also register by post, or in person at the Primary Registration Unit on the 2nd floor of the IRD head office in Colombo 02, or at your nearest regional IRD office.

How to check or verify your TIN

Plenty of people already have a TIN without knowing it — an employer, bank or agent may have registered you years ago. Before applying for a new one, check. On the e-services portal, go to Access to e-Services, then Verify Authenticity of Registration, then Verify Registration. Enter your NIC number and your mobile number or email address, click Send OTP, type in the one-time password sent to you, and click Search. Your TIN appears on screen. Print that page — as mentioned above, the printout works in place of the certificate for the listed transactions. If nothing shows up, you simply register fresh using the steps above.

Having a TIN doesn't mean you owe tax

This is the point that worries people most, and it's a misunderstanding. A TIN is an identity number for the tax system. Registering puts you on the register; it does not create a tax bill. Income tax only applies to income above the personal relief of Rs 1,800,000 a year — that's Rs 150,000 a month. Earn less than that and you owe no income tax at all, TIN or not. If you'd like the basics laid out plainly, read our post on how income tax works in Sri Lanka.

IRD e-Services and RAMIS, explained simply

RAMIS — the Revenue Administration Management Information System — is the computer system the IRD runs its work on. Your registration, your tax file, your returns and your payments all sit inside it. The e-services portal is your window into that system. Once your account is active you can file returns online, check your tax file, and handle most IRD business from home instead of queueing at an office. The portal also hosts the standalone tools that don't need a login, like TIN registration and the verification page. And because this is a government portal service rather than a file, there's no app to install — see our download page for why you should ignore anyone offering an "IRD app" download.

Frequently asked questions

Is TIN registration really free?

Yes. The IRD charges nothing for TIN registration, whether you apply online, by post or in person. Anyone asking you to pay a fee to "get your TIN" is not the IRD.

What happens if I don't register for a TIN?

The law sets a penalty of Rs 50,000 for failing to register. On top of that, from 1 November 2026 you'll be blocked from the eight transactions listed above until you can produce a valid TIN certificate.

I already have a TIN but lost the certificate. What do I do?

Use the Verify Registration tool on the e-services portal with your NIC and an OTP. Your TIN displays on screen, and a printout of that result is accepted instead of the certificate.

Does getting a TIN mean the IRD will tax my salary?

No. Tax depends on how much you earn, not on holding a TIN. Income up to Rs 1,800,000 a year is covered by personal relief and taxed at zero.

How long does online registration take?

The form itself takes a few minutes. The IRD then processes the application, and your TIN and one-time PIN normally arrive by email within a few working days.

Can I register without going online?

Yes. You can apply by post or visit the Primary Registration Unit at the IRD head office in Colombo 02, or a regional office. Bring your NIC.