As mandated by law, each taxpayer is only assigned one tax number by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Safeguard your taxpayer’s identification number (TIN) because you cannot secure a new one or have it substituted. Your TIN is not just for filing income tax but it’s used for a host of transactions from opening a bank account to purchasing real estate.
If you have trouble remembering what your TIN is or have lost all pertinent documents in your accounting and bookkeeping files, you can recover your lost TIN through a variety of methods. Again, you cannot file for a new TIN just because you’ve forgotten the old number. Check out these easy ways for TIN Recovery.
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is a business type owned by a single individual. It is often the registration opted for by small or home-based businesses, where the sole proprietor has full control over the company, unlike partnerships and corporations. That said, the sole proprietor has full ownership of all the company’s assets. However, the sole proprietor is also responsible for all business liabilities. And any arrears could be taken from the proprietor’s personal assets. Sole proprietors are able to enjoy all the profits and losses of their business.
The proprietor of the business and his proprietorship, or his business, are to be considered as one in the same taxpayer with a single TIN. If you want to register as a Sole Proprietor, you must first secure a TIN. Then, you must register your trade name with the DTI, whose forms can be found online.
Next, work on obtaining Mayor’s Business permits, and register with SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig Fund, and other applicable government agencies. Additionally, you may need to secure necessary certification from other government departments depending on the nature of your business. If you are in the food industry, for example, you need to follow all DOH and FDA sanitation regulations. If all of these sound tedious, you can hire a professional accounting firm that offer business registration services to help you fill process the requirements.
TIN Recovery with a BIR Mobile Verifier
Recover your TIN by using the BIR Mobile Verifier app which you can download from Google Playstore or Apple iTunes store. Alternatively, you can also download it by scanning the QR Code available in the various RDOs.
The BIR has placed the comfort and convenience of taxpayers at the forefront. The development of the app means you don’t have to physically go to the RDO to make inquiries. This saves your time, money, and effort. Use the app to verify your lost TIN or check if the current number you have is authentic. Here are the steps:
1. Download the app to your mobile device.
2. Launch the app and accept the terms and conditions
3. Click on the TIN verifier button for lost numbers.
4. Read the disclaimer which states that the app can only be used on working weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. Other inquiries will be addressed on the next business day.
5. To check the authenticity of an existing tin, use the TIN validation button.
6. Provide pertinent personal information. Take a selfie with a valid government ID. Upload this picture along with a close-up photo of the used ID.
7. Wait for the BIR chat agent to give you a reply.
Alternative Verification Methods
If you’re not successful in using the app, you can also try the following methods:
- Peruse Old Documents
Old documents like bank applications, official accounting ledgers, income tax returns, contracts, sales invoices, or official receipts may contain your TIN. Some company ID cards also list down the TIN.
- Speak with Your HR Personnel
When you apply for a job, your HR department has a copy of your TIN for the withholding taxes. Speak with your past or current HR team to find out your TIN. There’s a big possibility that this is in your employment records.
- Call the BIR hotline
Speak with a BIR customer rep to verify your TIN. Make sure you have the appropriate information before calling these numbers:
- Trunkline: 8981-7000 / 8929-7676.
- Customer Assistance Division: 8981-7003 / 8981-7020 / 8981-7030 / 8981-7040 / 8981-7046
*utilize correct area codes for international or domestic calls
- Send an email
Send a message to contact_us@bir.gov.ph to verify. On the subject line, encode TIN verification. Give your personal information, including name, address, birthday, and spouse name (if applicable). If you’re authenticating a number, provide it.
- Visit the RDO
Take time to visit the RDO where you applied the TIN. Seek the assistance of a BIR customer service rep. Present a valid ID or birth certificate for identity verification.
Secure Your TIN
Your TIN is important because other people can use it to steal your identity and commit fraud. When you’re undergoing TIN verification, provide the correct information and documents to avoid delays.
Noteworthy, if you use the app, exercise patience because it may take time for a BIR customer service rep to assist you. It’s advisable to call in the mornings as the chat queues tend to pile up towards the end of the day. Remember, there is a limited number of reps but tons of people verifying their TINs.
If this does not work out well for you, you can try the other methods from phoning to going to the RDO yourself. However, if you’re pressed for time and have other matters to focus on, seek assistance from our team. We have accounting support personnel that can help you verify the TIN as soon as possible so you can get on with your transactions.
