How to Recover Lost or Forgotten TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number)

Last Updated on 10/02/2021 by FilipiKnow

This article has been reviewed and edited by Miguel Dar, a CPA and an experienced tax consultant who specializes in tax audits.

There will be instances when you’ll be asked to provide your TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number), like applying for a job, opening a bank account, or signing up for an investment account with a stockbroker platform.

What do you do in such a situation if you already have a TIN but can’t remember it?

One of the things you should avoid is to apply for a new TIN because the law forbids it. The TIN issued to you is your lifetime number that cannot be replaced.

Instead, you may try the different ways to recover your lost or forgotten TIN.

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

Go back to the main article: Tax in the Philippines: An Ultimate Guide to Filing and Paying Taxes    

 

How to Recover TIN Number (Lost or Forgotten) Online Using the BIR Mobile TIN Verifier App.

In early 2021, the Bureau of Internal Revenue launched the Mobile Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Verifier app¹ to provide taxpayers with a convenient way to recover or verify their TINs.

Instead of personally going to BIR district offices, taxpayers can get real-time responses to their TIN-related inquiries at the touch of their fingertips. Available in both App Store (for IOS users) and Google Play (for Android smartphone users), the tax verifier app can help you complete the following transactions:

• TIN Inquiry – to recover your lost or forgotten TIN, the app will ask about your personal details (i.e., name, birth date, etc.). It will also require you to take a selfie with a valid government-issued ID and upload a copy of the same ID for verification purposes.
• TIN Validation – to confirm whether a TIN is an authentic one or not, the app will require you to input your TIN and personal details (i.e., name, birth date, address, marital status, and spouse name if applicable). Likewise, it will ask you to take a selfie with a valid government-issued ID as well as upload a copy of the said ID.

To recover your TIN number via the new BIR Tax Verifier app, follow these steps:

1. Install the TIN Verifier Mobile Application on your mobile device.

2. Open the app and read the Privacy Policy. Click “Proceed”.

3. Select “TIN VERIFIER”.

4. Read the Disclaimer and click “Proceed”.

Take note of what’s written on the disclaimer. It says that the app can only assist individual taxpayers as of this time. Also, the app can only provide assistance during weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Any queries sent during weekend or holidays will be processed on the next business/working day.

5. Select “TIN INQUIRY”.

If you have an existing TIN number and you want to check its authenticity, then choose “TIN VALIDATION” instead.

6. Provide the requested information in order.

In the chat/message box provided, input (in exact order) your first name, middle name, last name, birth date, address, civil status, spouse name (if applicable), a selfie of you together with a valid government-issued ID, and then a separate photo of the same ID.

7. Wait for a BIR representative to process your request in real time.

You should receive a response within a few minutes. If there’s no chat agent available, you might have to wait for a few minutes or hours.

 

Tips to Remember When Using the TIN Verifier Mobile Application.

• Observe patience when using the app. Since the limited number of agents are dealing with a lot of users eager to verify their TIN numbers, it may take a while before somebody responds to your request.
• Let the app open for at least 10 minutes while you’re waiting for the next available agent. Don’t disconnect from the internet or open other apps, otherwise your app connection will be cut short and you’ll start all over again.
• Use the service at the earliest time possible. The TIN verification service via this app is only available during weekdays, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Make sure to open the app early in the morning. Some users reportedly opened the app for 10-15 minutes before 8 AM then patiently waited until it’s 7:59 AM before clicking the TIN Validation or TIN Inquiry button. By following this strategy, you will be ahead of the queue and most likely get your TIN verified relatively quicker.

 

Other Ways to Recover Your Lost or Forgotten TIN Number.

1. Check your TIN card, company ID, ITR, or other documents.

The first thing to check when you can’t recall your TIN is your TIN card that bears this number.

What if you lost your TIN card, too? You may find your TIN in other documents that indicate it. These could be your company ID, income tax return (ITR), or invoices.

 

2. Verify with your employer.

Contact your current or previous employer to request your TIN. The HR or admin department of the company you’re working for keeps your employment records, including your TIN. So for sure, they can help you retrieve your forgotten TIN.

 

3. Call the BIR hotlines.

If the first two methods of retrieving your TIN didn’t work, you’ll need to request it directly from the BIR.

Here are the BIR numbers to call for recovering your TIN:

• Trunkline: 8981-7000 / 8929-7676.
• Customer Assistance Division: 8981-7003 / 8981-7020 / 8981-7030 / 8981-7040 / 8981-7046

Don’t forget to dial the area code 02 before the numbers (e.g., 0289817000) if you’re calling outside Metro Manila or the country code +63 when you’re calling from another country.

Before speaking with a customer service agent, be ready with your details that might be asked for verifying your identity such as full name, address, and birthdate.

 

4. Send an email inquiry to the BIR.

If the need to recover your TIN isn’t that urgent or you can’t get through the BIR hotlines, you can inquire about your TIN through email.

Email your TIN verification request, along with your complete name, address, and birthdate, to [email protected]

To help you save time, you can use the following template:

Good day!

I would like to request your assistance in retrieving my Tax Identification Number (TIN). I have forgotten it and will need it for (state the purpose). Here are my personal details:

Complete Name:

Birthdate:

Gender:

Residence Address: (please include your Zip Code)

Looking forward to your positive response on this matter.

Thank you and regards,

(Your complete name)

Make sure to write “TIN Verification” in your subject line so the recipient will know right away the purpose of your email.

Typically, a BIR customer service representative replies in a few days to TIN-related inquiries.

 

5. Visit the BIR RDO.

If the RDO where you applied for a TIN is near your home or office, your best option is to go there to personally request for TIN number verification.

Proceed to the Taxpayers’ General Services or Customer Service counter and present your valid ID or birth certificate for identity verification.

Go back to the main article: How to Get TIN Number in the Philippines (2 Easy Ways)

 

References.

1. BIR has TIN verifier app for taxpayers. (2021). Retrieved 15 March 2021, from https://www.ptvnews.ph/bir-has-tin-verifier-app-for-taxpayers/