A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is a unique 12-digit number issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). It is the foundation of the Bangladesh tax system — without it you cannot file a return, and increasingly you cannot carry out ordinary financial activity either.
This guide covers who needs a TIN for AY 2026-27, what you need to register, the online process, and the mistakes that cause the most rejections.
Good news: e-TIN registration is free and fully online at etaxnbr.gov.bd. It takes about 10–15 minutes and needs no visit to a tax office.
Who needs a TIN?
From AY 2026-27 onward, a TIN is mandatory for an expanded list of activities, including:
- Opening a bank account (new requirement from FY 2026-27)
- Obtaining a trade license
- Registering a company or partnership
- Purchasing land or property above a threshold value
- Taking a bank loan above ৳5,00,000
- Participating in government tenders
- Importing or exporting goods
- Registering a vehicle above a certain engine size
- Obtaining a credit card
- Enrolling children in some private schools
- Receiving a government salary or pension
Even if your income is below the tax-free threshold, obtaining a TIN and filing a return (showing zero tax) is required for most of these.
Before you start: documents to have ready
You don't upload these — you reference them. Have the details on hand:
- National Identity Card (NID) or Birth Certificate
- Passport (if applicable)
- Employer name and address (for salaried persons)
- Active mobile number (for OTP verification)
- Source of income details (salary, business, etc.)
Your address determines your tax circle — the office that processes your returns. Get it right; changing it later means transferring your file.
Step-by-step online registration
- Go to etaxnbr.gov.bd and click Register, then select Individual Taxpayer.
- Enter your NID number and date of birth. The system pulls your name and address from the NID database.
- Verify your mobile number with the OTP sent by SMS.
- Fill in personal details: source of income, employer (if salaried), and confirm your address.
- Submit the form.
- Your 12-digit TIN is generated immediately on screen and sent to your registered mobile.
That's it. There is no fee, no physical visit, and no waiting period.
After registration: what to do next
- Download your TIN certificate from the portal — you'll need it for banks, licenses, and return filing.
- Note your tax circle (shown on the certificate). It determines where your file sits.
- Update your details whenever you change jobs or address. Outdated details cause misdirected notices.
- If you already held a TIN under the old system, do not register a new one — it is illegal to hold more than one. Consolidate via your tax circle office.
Common TIN registration mistakes
- Wrong NID number — a single mistyped digit can fail verification or create a mismatched record.
- Registering multiple TINs — illegal; consolidate if you have more than one.
- Incorrect address — sets the wrong tax circle; fix it before filing.
- Not updating details when you change jobs or move — update your profile at etaxnbr.gov.bd.
- Using someone else's number/OTP — the mobile number on file receives all future notices.
TIN and your tax return
Having a TIN usually means you should file a return, even with zero tax liability. A filed return produces an acknowledgement receipt — the document banks, embassies, and licensing offices ask for. See our tax return filing guide for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
Is e-TIN registration really free? Yes. There is no government fee. Be wary of anyone charging for it.
I lost my TIN number. What do I do? Log in to etaxnbr.gov.bd with your NID and mobile number to recover it, or visit your tax circle office.
Do non-resident Bangladeshis need a TIN? If you have Bangladesh-source income or need a return certificate, yes. Non-resident Bangladeshis follow the standard progressive slabs on Bangladesh-source income.
For official information, always verify at etaxnbr.gov.bd. This guide is informational and does not constitute professional tax advice.
Put this into practice
Run your own numbers through the free income tax calculator.