Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is a ticket to conquering adulting! Besides keeping the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) updated on your tax records, your TIN opens doors to employment, homeownership, and entrepreneurship. Sail through these transactions and more with a digital TIN ID. Follow this guide to claim yours hassle-free.

In a BIR memo, the government agency announced the launch of the digital TIN ID to improve efficiency and transparency in tax administration. For you, the taxpayer, this move towards digital identification provides three significant advantages.

The BIR used to issue old TIN identification cards on yellow-orange or green paper. But this material was prone to damage, even if many Filipinos voluntarily laminated their IDs for protection. A bigger problem also emerged: scammers could quickly reproduce and sell similar-looking fake TIN ID cards online.

The digital TIN ID reduces these risks, especially against identity theft and fraud. It helps you secure your records on your device and retrieve them anytime.

Previously, many public and private institutions didn’t recognize the physical TIN ID as valid identification, likely due to the prevalence of fake IDs. But with the digital TIN ID, this is no longer an issue. Each ID includes a unique QR code that authorized individuals can scan to verify taxpayer information and ensure authenticity.

BIR’s memo makes it clear the digital TIN ID “should be honored and accepted as a valid government-issued identification document of the taxpayers for their transactions in government agencies and institutions, local government units, employers, banks, financial institutions and other relying parties, subject to authentication and verification.”

In the past, taxpayers didn’t always receive a physical TIN ID card despite a successful first-time TIN application. The process forced many to go to a BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) and endure long queues. Some even experienced cut-offs, requiring a return trip to pick up their ID on another day!

A digital TIN ID eliminates the need to visit the RDO in person. The good news is you can easily apply for one from the comfort of your home or office.

Before you can reap the benefits of having a digital TIN ID, you need to gather a few requirements.

Head to the BIR website and find Revie, BIR’s interactive taxpayer assistant, at the bottom right corner. Click the “RDO Finder” from the query menu, and Revie will direct you to a form where you need to input your details. Submit the form to receive your RDO code in seconds.

Alternatively, you can call the BIR to confirm your RDO. BIR’s contact number is 8538-3200. The operator will ask for your TIN and personal details like your birthdate and mother’s maiden name to verify your identity.

Go to the Taxpayer Registration Related Application (TRAA) page and select “updating email address” from the drop-down menu. After providing your full name and RDO code, the TRAA will display the RDO’s email address and the recommended subject line. Email the RDO with the following PDF documents attached (should be less than 4 MB each):

• S1905 or the Registration Update Sheet (RUS)
• Government ID or birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (for married females)

Send these documents from an email address you actively use. The RDO will reply with a confirmation receipt within three days or less. You can only proceed to the next step after the BIR has your email address in its system.

Once your RDO emails a confirmation for your information update, proceed to BIR's Online Registration and Update System (ORUS).

You may have previously used ORUS for TIN verification online without creating an account. But now, you need to register to generate a digital ID. Follow these steps:

• Click on "New Registration" and select "Individual."
• Choose the "Create an Account" button.
• Register as "Taxpayer" and select "With Existing TIN."
• Fill out the form and click the “Register” button.

Remember to provide the email address you used to update your RDO. Your ORUS account registration will only proceed if the BIR finds the email address matching your name.

After registering with ORUS, you'll receive a pop-up message to check your email. Verify your account within 24 hours.

You can only proceed with your digital TIN ID application with an ORUS account, so make sure you've completed the steps above. Now, follow these steps:

You'll see "Get Your Digital TIN ID" on the menu.

Instructions on how to get your digital TIN ID will appear on the right side of the screen, including photo specifications (more on this below).

You'll see a draft of your digital TIN ID. Review it to ensure your name, TIN, and RDO number are correct. It will also display a QR code, TIN ID issue date, and a placeholder for your photo.

Your photo must adhere to these guidelines:

• The photo should be 1x1 in size with a white background and no border.
• The photo should be taken within the last six months.
• You should be facing the camera directly with a neutral expression or a smile (no teeth) and eyes looking straight ahead. Both ears should be visible, and there should be no head tilting.
• Nothing should cover your face, including sunglasses or accessories like headphones. However, head coverings or eye patches for religious or medical reasons are acceptable.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the rejection of your digital ID application. Also, the BIR will penalize you if you upload photos of animals, cartoons, and other inappropriate images.

After uploading your photo, a confirmation message with terms and conditions will pop up. Read through them, then click "Confirm" to generate your digital TIN ID. Complete a survey before returning to the profile page of your ORUS account.

• Click the "Home" icon at the bottom of the screen to return to the ORUS homepage.
• Select "Get Your Digital TIN ID" on the left-side menu, then repeat steps 2 and 3.
• The front page of your digital ID will appear, and you'll see the button for "Download Digital TIN ID."

If you need to update your registration details, you must wait 30 days from the last time you generated your TIN ID. You can do this by clicking the "Update Digital TIN ID" button.

This online TIN ID program is a massive step in BIR's digitalization efforts. In the future, such solutions can facilitate seamless collaboration among government agencies, making transactions and services effortless for Filipinos.

Breeze through your digital TIN ID application with a strong and stable internet connection. You'll need uninterrupted service to access BIR's website, upload photos, and submit forms. For this, consider GFiber Postpaid , which offers an unlimited monthly data plan of 200 Mbps at ₱1,799. Or, go for GFiber Prepaid with reloadable unlimited data for a specific period. With a digital TIN, you can ensure you have a record and retrieve it anytime, protecting you from identity theft.