Tax identification number (TIN)
Reviewed by A unique number a country's tax authority assigns to a person or company for tax record-keeping, required by banks, registries and counterparties.
A tax identification number (TIN) is a code assigned by a tax authority to identify a taxpayer within its records. Its name differs from country to country, it may coincide with a social security number or a foreigner's identification number, and separate types of number often exist for individuals and for companies.
The number is needed for far more than filing returns: without it you generally cannot open a bank account, register a property transaction, incorporate a company or claim benefits under a tax treaty. Financial institutions report TINs under international information exchange, which is why a bank's onboarding form asks for the number of every country where you are a tax resident.
In investment migration, obtaining a local tax number is often one of the first practical steps — taken before the status itself, because an account and transactions depend on it. Holding the number does not, however, make you a tax resident of that country: it is a record-keeping identifier, while residency is determined by separate tests. Procedures and requirements differ by country and are confirmed for each specific programme.
| What it is | A taxpayer identifier assigned by a country's tax authority |
| Who it matters to | Anyone opening an account, buying property or doing business abroad |
| Where it applies | Tax returns, bank onboarding forms, transactions, information-exchange reporting |
| Not to be confused with | Tax residency, and a certificate of tax residency |
| Role in investment migration | A technical but unavoidable step: without it an account and most transactions are out of reach |
How it works in practice
- The number is requested from the tax authority in person, through a representative under power of attorney, or online — the options depend on the jurisdiction.
- A passport, proof of address and a completed form are usually required; a foreign applicant may also need a local tax representative.
- The number is then quoted when opening an account, registering a transaction, and in bank self-certification forms on tax residency.
- It stays attached to the person after departure — on a return or for new transactions it is reused rather than issued afresh.
- When passport details or an address change, the tax register is updated; otherwise notices and queries never reach the taxpayer.
Common pitfalls
- ! Believing the number itself confers tax status or benefits: it only identifies the person within the tax records.
- ! Errors in self-certification forms: a wrong country of residence or number leads to incorrect reporting and to transactions being paused pending clarification.
- ! Obtaining the number through an intermediary without checking the details — a typo in a name or date of birth later blocks transactions and requires the register to be corrected.
- ! A forgotten number in the former country: where filing duties continue there, breaches accumulate without the person noticing.
FAQ
Does getting a TIN make me a tax resident of that country?
No. The number is a record-keeping identifier; tax residency is determined by separate tests, primarily actual presence and ties to the country.
Why does a bank ask for another country's tax number?
Under automatic exchange of tax information the bank must establish the countries where you are a tax resident and report the corresponding numbers.
Can a person hold several tax numbers?
Yes: a number may exist in every country where you are registered; that alone creates no tax liability, but it must be reported accurately in forms and returns.
Is the number needed before a residence permit is granted?
In many countries yes: it is required to open an account or complete a property transaction that precedes the application; the order is confirmed for each programme.
What should be done after a move or a change of status?
Update the tax authority and the banks with current residency and identity details: outdated information in forms leads to incorrect reporting and further queries.