Every taxpayer registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is encouraged to get a TIN ID card or a TIN card as proof of membership.

Besides, a TIN ID card is a valid ID that you can use to open a bank account, apply for other government-issued IDs, and complete other essential transactions.

This guide will show you how to get a TIN ID, whether you have an existing TIN number or not.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not substitute for professional advice.

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What Is a TIN Card?

A TIN card, sometimes called the TIN ID card or TIN ID, is an identification card that bears the holder’s TIN, full name, address, birth date, photo, signature, and card issue date.

The TIN card is issued by the BIR for free and is made of yellowish paper or thin cardboard with the BIR logo. It doesn’t expire, which means it’s valid forever, and you don’t need to renew it.

Is TIN Card a Valid ID?

Even if the TIN card is a government-issued ID, it’s not honored as valid in all government and private transactions.

For instance, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) doesn’t accept the TIN card for passport applications and renewals.

However, the TIN card is still recognized as a valid ID in some government transactions, such as applications for postal ID, NBI clearance, and police clearance, as well as SSS transactions.

Some banks may honor the TIN card as a secondary ID, but they accept only the digitized version. However, the BIR has stopped issuing the digitized ID and has not announced when it will resume releasing this type of card.

If you badly need a valid ID for bank transactions such as opening a savings account or applying for a loan, you can apply for other accessible IDs, such as the postal ID and UMID.

How Much Does TIN ID Cost?

The TIN ID card application is free. However, taxpayers requesting a replacement of a lost/damaged TIN card will be charged Php 100.

Never trust anyone on social media sites who claim they can help process your TIN ID application in exchange for a fee. Chances are you will be dealing with scammers, as BIR doesn’t authorize any third-party provider to process TIN ID cards.

What Are the TIN ID Requirements?

Taxpayers already registered with BIR must only present one government-issued ID when applying for a TIN ID. However, first-time taxpayers must bring the following requirements to their respective RDOs to apply for a TIN and TIN ID at the same time:

• Duly accomplished BIR registration form (BIR Form 1902 or 1904)
• One valid government-issued ID
• Community Tax Certificate (CEDULA)
• PSA Birth Certificate
• 1 x 1 picture
• Marriage certificate/contract (if applicable)

Where Can I Get My TIN ID?

You can apply for a TIN ID at the revenue district office (RDO) where you are registered or will be registered¹. Personal appearance is required although an authorized representative can also request on your behalf so long as you provide a Special Power of Attorney. Note that per the Revenue Regulations No. 7-2012², revenue district offices process and release new TIN ID cards within the same day, but only if you file your request before the cut-off period of 1 PM.

As of this writing, there’s still no option to apply for a TIN ID online.

How To Get TIN ID if You Don’t Have a TIN Number Yet: A Guide for New Employees or First-Time Taxpayers

The TIN card is among the valid IDs in the Philippines that are easiest to get. Follow the steps below to obtain a TIN ID if you’ve never been issued a TIN before.

1. Apply for a TIN

If you’ve never been issued a TIN, you must get this number from the BIR. You won’t be issued a TIN ID card if you don’t have a TIN.

2. Apply for a TIN ID at the same RDO that issued your TIN

Once you’ve completed the BIR RDO registration process, you can request a TIN card. Do it right after the registration officer issues your TIN.

Your TIN card may be released within several minutes or an hour if the RDO is not busy during the day of your transaction.

However, when the BIR office is running out of ID paper for printing or experiencing a system issue, you’ll be asked to return to the RDO after one to three working days.

3. Receive your TIN ID

When you receive your TIN card, attach your 1 x 1 photo and put your signature. Have your ID card laminated as soon as possible to prevent damage.

How To Get a TIN ID if You Already Have an Existing TIN Number

1. Go to the RDO (Revenue District Office) where you’re registered

If you’re an employee who’s already issued a TIN through your employer, you should go directly to the RDO where you’re registered to apply for a TIN card.

Previously, employers were required to submit batch requests for their employees’ TIN cards. However, this rule no longer applies because the Revenue Memorandum Order No. 37-2019 issued by the BIR in May 2019 requires employees to make a personal appearance at their respective RDO to get their TIN ID card.

2. Apply for a TIN ID

To request and receive a TIN card, employees must present at least one valid government-issued ID. Those not available to receive their TIN card may assign a representative to claim it. The authorized representative must submit a Special Power of Attorney to the RDO that will issue the TIN card.

How To Get TIN ID for Unemployed

As per EO 98, students and other unemployed Filipinos above 18 years old can also apply for a TIN and TIN card, enabling them to transact with government and private institutions even if they don’t have a job.

To apply for a TIN, you would need the following requirements:

• Birth Certificate, driver’s license, passport (for non-resident aliens), Community Tax Certificate (CEDULA), or any valid government-issued ID showing your full name, address, and birthdate
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Other documents might be requested, depending on your purpose for applying for TIN. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the RDO, where you’ll file your application.

To apply for TIN and TIN ID as an unemployed Filipino, please follow these steps:

1. Proceed to the revenue district office (RDO) with jurisdiction over your place of residence
2. Accomplish and submit two copies of BIR Form 1904
3. Submit all the documentary requirements
4. Wait for your TIN to be processed and subsequently apply for a TIN ID card
5. Receive your TIN ID

How To Replace Lost, Damaged, or Unupdated TIN ID

Lost your TIN card? Or is it damaged? You can easily have your TIN card replaced.

This section will discuss what you need to know before heading to the BIR to have your ID card replaced due to loss, theft, or damage. The information also applies to married women who wish to change their maiden name to their married name.

1. Requirements for TIN card replacement

• Accomplished BIR Form 1905 (Application for Registration Information Update/Correction/Cancellation)
• Accomplished BIR Form 0605 (Payment Form)
• If a TIN card is lost: Notarized Affidavit of Loss (You can draft your affidavit or get one from a notary public near you. It usually costs Php 150 to Php 300+)
• If TIN card is damaged: Old TIN card (both original and photocopy)
• For married women: Marriage certificate and old TIN card (both original and photocopy)

2. How much is the TIN card replacement fee?

When requesting a replacement of your TIN card with the BIR, you’ll be charged a Php 100 processing fee.

3. Steps to applying for TIN card replacement

Step 1: Visit the RDO where you’re registered, and your TIN was issued.

Step 2: Fill out the BIR Form 1905.

• Provide all the required details under Part I – Taxpayer Information.
• Under Part II – Reason/Details of Registration Information Update/Correction, mark the “Replacement of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Card” box with an “X.”
• For lost/damaged card: Under “Reason/Details,” mark the “Lost/Damaged” box.
• For changing to a married name: Under “Other Updates,” mark the “Change of Civil Status” box. Then proceed to Number 9 and fill out all the fields.
• Under Number 12 (“Declaration”), write your name and put your signature over it.

Step 3: Proceed to the COR Update window and submit your accomplished BIR Form 1905 and other requirements for TIN card replacement.

Step 4: Fill out the BIR Form 0605. Once done, please proceed to the Payment window and submit the accomplished payment form to have it verified.

Step 5: Go to your RDO’s authorized agent bank³ to pay the TIN card fee. At the bank, request a BIR payment slip and fill it out. After payment, you’ll be issued a receipt and machine-validated BIR Form 0605.

Step 6: Return to the RDO and submit your payment receipt and machine-validated BIR Form 0605 to the COR Update window. You’ll also have to surrender the original and photocopy your old TIN card (if damaged or changed to a married name).

Step 7: Receive your TIN card. It may be released on the same day or after up to five working days. In the latter case, the officer will issue a TIN Card Claim Slip that indicates the release date of your new TIN card.

The application process for TIN card replacement, including payment at the bank and excluding card pickup, can take more or less 2 hours. You can speed up the process by downloading the BIR forms online and accomplishing them before you go to the RDO.

Tips and Warnings

1. Don’t deal with fixers selling TIN cards online

Scammers are all over Facebook nowadays, selling TIN ID assistance services for a fee and claiming their TIN cards are legit. They also approach people transacting in government offices for the sale of these cards.

Although it’s tempting to avail of such a service to save time and effort, never fall for this scam. The BIR has issued a public warning against fixers that sell fake TIN cards⁴, with a reminder that genuine cards are not for sale and are issued only by the BIR.

2. An authorized representative can claim or receive your TIN card on your behalf

We already mentioned this information above, but if you’ve missed it, I’m repeating it here.

If you’re not available to personally claim your TIN card, an authorized representative can do it on your behalf, provided that the said representative will bring your notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) along with your and the representative’s valid government-issued IDs.

The TIN card can only be claimed at the RDO where you’ve registered.

3. For any BIR-related concerns, you may reach BIR’s Customer Assistance Division

You can contact the Customer Assistance Division via hotline no. 8538-2000 or email ([email protected]).

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). (2019). Revenue Memorandum Order No. 37-2019 [PDF] (p. 4). Retrieved from https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_3/Full%20Text%20of%20RMO%202019/RMO%20No.%2037-2019.pdf
2. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). (2012). Revenue Regulations No. 7-2012 (Amended Consolidated Revenue Regulations On Primary Registration, Updates, And Cancellation) [PDF] (pp. 8-9). Retrieved from https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/old_files/pdf/63012RR%207-2012.pdf
3. List of Authorized Agent Banks. Retrieved 20 August 2021, from https://www.bir.gov.ph/index.php/list-of-authorized-agent-banks.html
4. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). (2019). BIR Advisory Regarding TIN ID Assistance on Facebook and Other Online Sites.