November 03, Colombo (LNW): The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has appealed to the public to make greater use of its online services to obtain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), following a surge in applications that has resulted in overcrowding at its Colombo head office.
The growing rush to secure TIN certificates has placed considerable pressure on the department’s public service facilities, prompting officials to encourage applicants to complete the registration process electronically rather than travelling to IRD offices.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, IRD Spokesperson Nandana Kumara called on taxpayers to avoid unnecessary visits to the department’s headquarters and regional branches, stressing that online registration would help minimise delays and make the process more convenient.
The increased demand follows the introduction, from 1 November, of a requirement to provide a TIN when carrying out eight specified categories of economic transactions, including a range of banking, financial and property-related activities.
Under the applicable regulations, all resident individuals who had attained the age of 18 by 31 December 2023, as well as those reaching that age from 1 January 2024 onwards, are required to obtain a TIN.
The identification number has become an essential requirement for several routine financial and administrative procedures. These include opening accounts with banks and other financial institutions, securing approval for building plans, registering motor vehicles and renewing driving licences.
Individuals must also provide their TIN when registering land or transferring land ownership, establishing a business, transferring shares in companies incorporated in Sri Lanka and applying for credit cards.
With the new requirements covering a broad range of everyday transactions, authorities are encouraging eligible individuals to complete their registration without delay to avoid potential difficulties when accessing financial and other services.
The IRD has reiterated that using its online facilities is the preferred option for applicants, particularly as demand for TIN registration continues to place pressure on its physical service centres.
