Sri Lanka has recorded that around four million citizens aged 18 and above, are yet to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and register with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Commissioner Nandana Kumara said yesterday (9), speaking on Ada Derana’s BIG FOCUS programme. 

“At present, 13 million people have registered with the department to obtain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), while Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 17 million people who are aged 18 and above. Accordingly, we have identified around four million additional individuals who need to register,” Kumara said.

He added: “In the past, we made TIN registration mandatory only for several specific requirements. However, under the law, everyone who has reached the age of 18 is required to obtain a TIN number.”

“There has been considerable unnecessary fear among the general public regarding this requirement, and such concerns still persist. However, not everyone registered with the Inland Revenue Department is required to pay taxes. There is no such requirement.”

Kumara further added: “The legal requirement has been introduced to streamline and formalise the country’s tax system.”