What is a Tax Identification Number? Learn how to get a TIN number

What is TIN Number?

Tax Identification Number or TIN is the unique identification number that is mandatory for any business enterprise that is registered under VAT. TIN typically consists of 11 characters and is provided by the income tax department to all the business enterprises who want to get themselves registered under CST or VAT.

Just like Permanent Account Number (PAN) is an identification number for individuals who pay tax, TIN number is also an identification number that is assigned to business entities for tracking their transactions. The idea behind TIN is to merge all tax-related information of a business that is operating in different states and carrying out inter as well intrastate transactions.

Importance of TIN Number

TIN number is important as it integrates all essential tax-related information and makes it available under a single platform. It also helps with the identification process of assets under the IT Act.
Tax identification number is required for business entities specialising in manufacturing, exporting, trading and dealing with purchase as well as sale of goods and services.
Information of any business entity can be accessed easily by the government where the business is present, thereby helping with the streamlining of inter and intrastate transactions.

Format of TIN number

TIN number has a total of 11 characters. The first 9 characters are assigned by the government and the last characters depict the state of the applicant.

How to Get a TIN Number?

Post the Tax Identification Number allotment, you will be recognised as a registered dealer and be allowed to do your business that involves sales of goods. The company’s invoices and, in some cases, the sellers as well, will now mention your TIN number. To get your TIN, you can search in the TIN database online at https://www.tinxsys.com. The website shows dealer information along with the status of their registration.

How to Apply for a TIN Number Online?

If you are wondering how to get a TIN number, there is a standard process of application to get your Tax Identification Number. Mentioned below is the step by step guide to apply for a TIN.

Step 1: Go to the website of your respective state government and register at the portal for VAT.
Step 2: After successful, log in to the portal.
Step 3: Enter the necessary details and fill out the TIN application form that is on the portal.
Step 4: Upload all the supporting documents.
Step 5: After submitting the TIN application, it will be verified by the IT department of your state.
Step 6: After the verification is done, you will be issued a Tax identification number and provisional certificate.
Step 7: A VAT inspector will come to the business address for the final verification process and issuing of the TIN.

Documents Required for TIN Registration

A Tax Identification Number requires a specific set of documents for successful TIN registration. The documents required also vary from place to place.

Address proof
Identity proof
Passport-sized photos of the business owner
PAN card of the business owner
Address proof for the business
References

List of State Codes for First Two Digits of Taxpayer Identification Number in India

Sr. No.	State Name	State Code	TIN number - First two digits
1	Andhra Pradesh	AP	28
2	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	AN	35
3	Assam	AS	18
4	Andhra Pradesh (New)	AD	37
5	Arunachal Pradesh	AR	12
6	Bihar	BH	10
7	Chattisgarh	CT	22
8	Chandigarh	CH	04
9	Delhi	DL	07
10	Daman and Diu	DD	25
11	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	DN	26
12	Gujarat	GJ	24
13	Goa	GA	30
14	Himachal Pradesh	HP	02
15	Haryana	HR	06
16	Jharkhand	JH	20
17	Jammu and Kashmir	JK	01
18	Kerala	KL	32
19	Karnataka	KA	29
20	Lakshadweep Islands	LD	31
21	Manipur	MN	14
22	Madhya Pradesh	MP	23
23	Maharashtra	MH	27
24	Nagaland	NL	13
25	Mizoram	MI	15
26	Meghalaya	ME	17
27	Odisha	OR	21
28	Punjab	PB	03
29	Pondicherry	PY	34
30	Rajasthan	RJ	08
31	Sikkim	SK	11
32	Tripura	TR	16
33	Tamil Nadu	TN	33
34	Telangana	TS	36
35	Uttarakhand	UT	05
36	Uttar Pradesh	UP	09
37	West Bengal	WB	19

Difference between GSTIN and TIN

GSTIN Number	TIN Number
GSTIN number or Goods and Services Tax Identification Number is a tax registration number that comes under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is a 15-digit number that is assigned to taxpayers state-wise. This is what the 15 digits means: First 2 digits: State code Next 10 digits: PAN number of the taxpayer 13th digit: Registration number based on the state 14th digit: It is always Z 15th digit: It may be an alphabet or a number.	TIN is an identification number that is required for every business entity that is registered under VAT. TIN number has a total of 11 characters. The first 9 characters are assigned by the government and the last characters depict the state of the applicant.
Before the GSTIN number came into play, all business owners who had registered under the VAT of the state were given a Tax Identification Number (TIN) by their respective state. After the implementation of GST, all of this was made available under one platform and the TIN number was replaced by the GSTIN number.	It is provided by the Income Tax department to all the business enterprises willing to register under CST or VAT.

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Income Tax Deduction & Exemptions

GST & E way Bill

No, A TIN is not the same as a PAN number. Permanent Account Number (PAN) is an identification number for individuals who pay tax, TIN is an identification number that is assigned to business entities for tracking their transactions.

The Tax Identification Number(TIN) is required for businesses specialising in manufacture, trade, export and dealing with services and goods.

Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) replaced the Tax Identification Number(TIN) in 2017 when the GST regime was put into effect.

Only businesses that are registered under the CST or VAT are required to have the Tax Identification Number or TIN.

No. Tax Identification Number is an identification number for taxpayers who do business whereas TAN is an identification number for individuals eligible for whom TDS is deducted on behalf of the IT department.

You can apply for TIN online by logging into your respective state government official website and filling out the application.

Once issued, your Tax Identification Number will be mentioned in all the invoices raised by the company and will also be mentioned to the seller in some cases.

You can search the TIN Number database through https://www.tinxsys.com.

You can get a Tax Identification Number by applying for it online.