URA Introduces New Simplified TIN Registration Process

Ian M. Rumanyika, the Ag. Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs at URA says TIN application process is now completely web-based.

In a bid to improve the experience of our clients and attend to the changes in the tax regime, technology and the business environment, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has made changes in the existing Tax Identification Number (TIN) application form. The new web-based form offers a simplified user-friendly process, replacing the existing MS Excel-based form. In doing so, URA has guaranteed that the process is faster and more convenient.

Ian M. Rumanyika, the Ag. Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs at URA, says the improved TIN application process has started with the individual TIN applications by converting the current TIN application form from MS Excel Template into a web form to facilitate a better taxpayer registration experience.

“The non-individual TIN application process will follow soon,” Rumanyika says.

What has changed in the Individual TIN Application form?

Rumanyika says taxpayers are advised to take note of the new key features that have changed.

There is pre-population of data from NIRA/URSB (Biodata and Directorship). This includes use of NIN as Primary Identifier.

“TIN applicants are no longer required to photocopy their National IDs and attach the same to their application. The URA and NIRA systems have been synchronized to validate and auto-populate particulars like the Name, Surname, Gender, first name, Middle name, Citizenship and Date of birth once a National Identification Number (NIN) has been provided by the applicant,” Rumanyika says. 

Data validation from URSB

For the case of TIN applicants with businesses, Rumanyika says the URA and URSB system have been synchronized to allow for auto-population of business details like the business name once the Business Registration Number (BRN) has been provided by the taxpayer. 

Referee and Alternate contact person details have been removed but there is a requirement of Unique email and Upload of attachments.

According to URA, no documents are required if the applicant has a valid NIN/BRN.

Online sign off – Terms & Conditions

“TIN applicants will no longer have to print, sign off and deliver the signed terms and conditions form to the nearest URA office in physical copy as has been the case. They will instead acknowledge their agreement with the terms and conditions by ticking the terms and conditions agreement tab,” Rumanyika says.

Employer data

Rumanyika adds that TIN applicants who are employed will only have to provide their employer’s TIN and details about their employer will be auto-populated. 

The TIN application service is still available, under e-services link on the URA web portal www.ura.ug 

“We acknowledge the collaboration of our sister agencies NIRA and URSB for working with URA to achieve this taxpayer service enhancement milestone. We urge the public to always share feedback with us on how we can further improve our service offering,” Rumanyika says.