Written by Md Rakib Hassan — Income Tax Practitioner with 10+ years of tax compliance and audit experience across Bangladesh and the UK. Former Accounts Manager at a UK chartered accounting firm managing 1,000+ clients, with direct experience resolving multi-year tax audit disputes with HMRC and the NBR. Currently Finance Controller at a UK-based multinational tech group.
Introduction
Bangladesh’s tax administration crossed a major milestone when the National Board of Revenue (NBR) moved from paper-based tax identification to the e TIN system. The e TIN — or Electronic Tax Identification Number — is a 12-digit unique identifier that digitally connects every taxpayer to the NBR’s administrative infrastructure. It is the gateway to filing income tax returns, paying tax online, registering for VAT, and accessing dozens of government services.
In 2026, obtaining an e TIN in Bangladesh is faster, freer, and simpler than ever. And with the mandatory e-filing requirement now in full force for Assessment Year 2025/26, the e TIN is no longer just recommended — it is legally required for most taxpayers. This guide tells you everything you need to know.
What Is an e TIN?
The e TIN is the electronic version of the Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the National Board of Revenue in Bangladesh. Prior to the introduction of the e TIN system, taxpayers received a physical TIN card through a manual process that required visits to tax offices and long waiting periods. The electronic system replaced this entirely.
Since 1 July 2013, all new taxpayer registrations in Bangladesh have been issued exclusively as 12-digit e TIN numbers through the online portal. The shift was driven by three objectives: reducing administrative burden, enabling digital tax compliance, and creating a centralised taxpayer database linked to national identity records.
The e TIN is:
- A unique 12-digit number (no two taxpayers share the same number)
- Permanently assigned — it does not expire or require renewal
- Issued free of charge through the NBR portal
- Linked to your National Identity Card (NID) number or company incorporation number
- The foundation of your entire tax compliance lifecycle in Bangladesh
Why the e TIN Matters in 2026
The Income Tax Act 2023 fundamentally reshaped the legal status of the e TIN in Bangladesh. Under the old 1984 Ordinance, TIN was primarily required for income tax filers. Under the 2023 Act, the requirement has expanded dramatically.
The Proof of Submission of Return (PSR) — which is linked directly to your e TIN account — is now mandatory for accessing over 43 essential services in Bangladesh. This includes everything from renewing a trade licence and registering a vehicle to applying for a bank loan and becoming a company director.
Beyond the PSR requirement, the e TIN also determines your TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) rates. A taxpayer with a valid e TIN pays 10% TDS on dividends; without one, the rate rises to 15%. On bank interest, the differential is similarly structured. These are permanent, embedded financial consequences of not having an e TIN.
Additionally, in February 2026, BIDA launched BanglaBiz 2.0 — a unified investment portal that integrates e TIN registration into a broader Business Starter Package alongside company incorporation, trade licencing, and VAT registration. This integration signals that the e TIN is fast becoming the singular digital passport for doing business in Bangladesh.
Who Must Register for an e TIN?
Under the Income Tax Act 2023, e TIN registration is mandatory for:
Individuals:
- All persons with taxable income above the tax-free threshold
- Owners of motor vehicles
- Investors in savings certificates above BDT 5 lakh
- Owners of property in City Corporation or municipality areas
- All licensed professionals — doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, chartered accountants
- Members of trade associations or Chambers of Commerce
Companies and Businesses:
- Every company registered in Bangladesh must obtain an e TIN — no exceptions under the Income Tax Act 2023
- Importers and exporters must now provide their e TIN with the Bill of Entry in the ASYCUDA World customs system
- VAT-registered businesses require an e TIN alongside their BIN (Business Identification Number)
Foreign Nationals:
- All foreign nationals with a valid work permit operating in Bangladesh must obtain an e TIN before submitting their income tax return
What Do You Need to Register for an e TIN?
For Individual Taxpayers:
- National Identity Card (NID) number
- Full name as it appears on the NID
- Date of birth
- A biometric-verified mobile number (linked to your NID)
- Email address (optional but recommended)
- Details of your source(s) of income
For Companies:
- Certificate of Incorporation (from RJSC)
- Company name as registered
- Registered office address (must be a local address in Bangladesh — virtual offices do not qualify)
- Mobile number and email of the authorised person
- Authorised person’s NID details
The entire e TIN registration process requires no physical documents to be submitted. All information is entered digitally, and your NID details are verified electronically against the national database.
Step-by-Step: How to Register for an e TIN in Bangladesh
Step 1 — Go to the Official NBR Portal Open your browser and visit: secure.incometax.gov.bd/TINHome. This is the only official NBR portal for e TIN registration in Bangladesh. Be cautious of unofficial third-party websites — they may charge unnecessary fees or compromise your data.
Step 2 — Create Your User Account Click “Register.” On the registration form, enter:
- A User ID (use letters and numbers; no spaces or special characters)
- A strong password (minimum 8 characters, mix of uppercase, lowercase, and digits)
- A security question and your answer (this is your password recovery mechanism — choose something you will remember)
- Your mobile number
An SMS with a 6-digit OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your registered number. Enter this code on the next screen to activate your account.
Step 3 — Log In and Apply for Your e TIN Once your account is activated, log in using your User ID and password. On the dashboard, click “TIN Application.” Select “Apply for New e-TIN.”
Fill in the required information:
- Your NID number
- Personal details as per NID
- Income source(s)
- Address details
For companies, enter the incorporation number and company details as they appear in the RJSC certificate.
Step 4 — Submit and Download Review all information carefully before submitting. Upon submission, the NBR system cross-references your details with the national NID database. If everything matches, your e TIN is generated instantly — typically within 15 to 20 minutes of a successful submission.
Once generated, you can immediately download your e TIN certificate as a PDF from the portal. Save it, email it to yourself, and print a copy for physical submissions.
Expert Note from Md Rakib Hassan: I cannot stress enough how important it is to enter your NID details exactly as they appear on your physical NID card. Even a single spelling difference in your name can cause the system to reject your application or, worse, create a mismatch that requires a correction process at your Tax Circle — a process that can take weeks. Take five extra minutes to verify every character before submitting.
How to Log In to the e TIN Portal
Once registered, accessing your e TIN account is straightforward:
- Visit secure.incometax.gov.bd/TINHome or the login page at secure.incometax.gov.bd/Registration/Login
- Enter your User ID and password
- Click “Login”
- You will be taken to your dashboard where you can view your e TIN certificate, update profile information, and access return filing links
If you have forgotten your password: Click “Forgot Password” on the login page. You will be asked to answer your security question and verify your registered mobile number via OTP. You can then reset your password.
If you have forgotten your User ID: You can usually recover this by dialling *16001# on your registered mobile number and entering the last 4 digits of your NID. Alternatively, contact the NBR helpdesk at 09643-717171 during business hours.
How to Download Your e TIN Certificate
After logging in to the e TIN portal:
- Go to your dashboard
- Click “View TIN Certificate” or the “e TIN Certificate” section
- Your certificate will appear on screen — click “Download” to save it as a PDF
Alternatively, you can access and download your e TIN certificate through the e-Return portal at etaxnbr.gov.bd. Log in, navigate to Tax Records, and click the TIN Certificate link.
Your e TIN certificate is a permanent document that can be re-downloaded at any time from your account. There is no fee for downloading multiple copies.
How to Verify an e TIN Number
Third-party verification of an e TIN is critical for banks, businesses, and government offices before processing significant transactions. Here is how to verify:
- Visit secure.incometax.gov.bd/TINHome
- Click “Third Party TIN Verification” (no login required for this feature)
- Enter the 12-digit e TIN number
- Optionally enter the taxpayer’s name
- Click Submit
The portal will confirm whether the TIN is valid, show the registered name, and display the TIN status. This verification is legally required in many contexts — failure to verify without good reason can attract a penalty of up to BDT 50,000 under Section 124AA of the Income Tax Act.
e TIN and the BanglaBiz 2.0 Integration
A major development in 2026 is the launch of BanglaBiz 2.0 by BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) in partnership with JICA. This unified investment portal now integrates e TIN registration into a Business Starter Package that combines five key approvals — including company incorporation, trade licence, and VAT registration — into a single application workflow.
For new investors setting up businesses in Bangladesh, this means you can now initiate your e TIN registration alongside your company formation without separately visiting the NBR portal. The system submits your information to the NBR electronically and returns your e TIN as part of the package.
However, it is worth noting that this integration currently applies only to Bangladeshi investors. The NBR and BIDA are actively working to extend the same integrated service to foreign investors — a development that, once completed, will make Bangladesh significantly easier to enter as an international business destination.
e TIN for Importers and Exporters
From mid-2025, importers and exporters in Bangladesh must include their e TIN in the Bill of Entry submitted through the ASYCUDA World customs management system. This integration enables the NBR’s income tax division to cross-reference import data with taxpayer records and flag potential tax evasion — where high-value imports do not align with declared income.
If you are an importer or exporter who does not yet have an e TIN, this is now a legal requirement. Failure to provide a valid e TIN in your Bill of Entry can delay customs clearance and attract scrutiny from both the customs and income tax divisions of the NBR.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Problem: My NID number is not being accepted during registration. This usually means the name or date of birth you are entering does not exactly match what is held in the national NID database. Check your physical NID card and re-enter the information character by character.
Problem: I did not receive the OTP on my mobile. Your mobile number must be a biometric-verified SIM linked to your NID. If you are using a different number, the OTP will fail. Try with your biometric SIM or update your NID-registered mobile via the Election Commission’s database.
Problem: The portal says I already have a TIN. This means you were previously registered — possibly with an old 10-digit TIN that has been migrated. Use “Forgot Password” to recover access rather than attempting a new registration.
Problem: My e TIN certificate shows incorrect details. You cannot correct TIN details online. Visit your nearest Tax Circle Office with your NID, a utility bill, and a written application. The correction is processed manually by the DCT’s office.
Penalties for Misuse of e TIN
The Income Tax Act 2023 takes TIN misuse seriously. Key penalties include:
- Using a fake TIN — Fine up to BDT 20,000
- Deliberate sustained use of a fake TIN — Up to 3 years imprisonment plus a fine of up to BDT 50,000
- Failure to verify a TIN before a major transaction — Penalty up to BDT 50,000 (Section 124AA)
- Filing under a wrong or duplicate TIN — This triggers assessment scrutiny and potential fraud proceedings
These penalties exist to protect the integrity of the e TIN system and ensure Bangladesh’s tax database accurately reflects the economic reality of its taxpayer base.
Quick Reference: e TIN Portal Details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Portal | secure.incometax.gov.bd/TINHome |
| Login URL | secure.incometax.gov.bd/Registration/Login |
| e-Return Portal | etaxnbr.gov.bd |
| Registration Fee | Free |
| TIN Format | 12-digit unique number |
| Certificate Format | Downloadable PDF |
| Helpline | 09643-717171 |
| info@incometax.gov.bd | |
| Governing Law | Income Tax Act 2023 |
| BanglaBiz 2.0 | bangla.biz (integrated e TIN for investors) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is the e TIN the same as the old TIN? The e TIN replaced the old physical TIN system from 2013. Old 10-digit TINs have been migrated and upgraded to the 12-digit e TIN format. The underlying TIN number may have changed — check your current e TIN via the portal.
Q2. Do I need to renew my e TIN? No. The e TIN is a permanent number that does not expire or require renewal. However, you must keep your contact details and profile information current.
Q3. Can I use my e TIN to log in to the e-Return system? The e-Return portal (etaxnbr.gov.bd) has a separate login from the e TIN portal. However, your TIN number is the key identifier for your e-Return account.
Q4. How many e TIN numbers can one person have? Only one. The system is designed to prevent duplicate registrations. Each NID number can be linked to only one e TIN.
Q5. Can an expatriate Bangladeshi apply for an e TIN online? Non-resident Bangladeshis are currently excluded from the fully online e TIN registration process and may need to apply through their Tax Circle with appropriate documentation.
Q6. Is the e TIN linked to my NID permanently? Yes. Once registered, your e TIN is permanently linked to your NID. This linkage ensures that all your tax records, return submissions, and payment histories are associated with your national identity — making Bangladesh’s tax database progressively more accurate over time.
Final Thoughts
The e TIN in Bangladesh is not just a piece of paper — it is the foundation of your entire fiscal identity in the country. Getting yours registered today takes under five minutes and costs nothing. Neglecting it costs you access to banking services, business licences, property registrations, and subjects you to higher withholding tax rates every time money moves to your account.
With BanglaBiz 2.0 integrating e TIN into the business registration journey, and with mandatory e-filing now in place for AY 2025/26, Bangladesh’s tax infrastructure has genuinely gone digital. Whether you are a first-time earner, a seasoned business owner, or a foreign investor, your first step is always the same: get your e TIN registered through the NBR portal — today.
This article is informational and reflects law and administrative practice as understood in 2026. Consult the NBR website or a registered income tax practitioner for advice specific to your situation.
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