TIN Requirement for All Financial Transactions Comes into Effect November 2

Daily FT reports that the Inland Revenue Department has reminded the public that a valid Taxpayer Identification Number certificate will be needed for eight specified transactions from November 1, under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026. Newsfirst reports that an Inland Revenue Department spokesperson said the rule takes effect on November 1. Ada Derana and Sri Lanka Mirror also report that valid TIN documentation becomes necessary for specified transactions from that date.

Newswire reports that the requirement applies nationwide to obtaining or renewing vehicle revenue licences. It says a Western Province Commissioner of Motor Traffic circular, dated October 29 and sent to divisional secretaries in the province, directs applicants using an original Certificate of Registration to submit a TIN certificate. For ownership transfers made using MTA 11 and CMT 52 forms, Newswire says the certificate must be for the person named in the CMT 52 form.

Newswire reports that officials can accept paper or electronic TIN documents, including screen captures, and must retain records of the submitted information. It lists exemptions for people younger than 18; eligible foreign nationals who are not resident and have spent fewer than 183 days in Sri Lanka; people whose TIN applications were refused; those with diplomatic privileges; and organisations or other entities that are not individuals.

Newswire reports that the provincial circular explains how to apply the nationwide requirement, which also covers vehicle registration, banking, land registration and business registration. It says the Inland Revenue Department issued its circular, numbered SEC/2026/E/07, on September 22. Lankadeepa reports that close to three million Sri Lankan citizens aged 18 or older have obtained TINs.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.