Who needs a TIN in Uganda, how to register with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), what the number looks like, how to find or check one, and where it goes on your invoices.
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Updated for 2026
Last reviewed September 2026
What the TIN is
The TIN is the number Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) assigns to a taxpayer in Uganda. It follows you across every tax you deal with: VAT, income tax and withholding. Businesses that pay you will ask for it before they release payment, because they report their suppliers to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) by this number.
Who needs one
Anyone with income, all businesses, and anyone registering land, a vehicle or a company.
How to register, step by step
Apply online on the URA portal under Instant TIN with your national ID (NIN).
Companies apply after URSB registration with the certificate and the directors' TINs.
The TIN is generated instantly for individuals with a valid NIN.
How to find or check a TIN
Your own number is on the registration certificate and on every letter or notice from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). Most authorities now offer an online lookup to confirm a supplier's number and registered name before you pay them; use it for any new supplier.
Where it goes on your paperwork
In the invoice header next to your business name, and in the client block when the client is a registered business. Quotations and purchase orders carry it too, so the client's accounts team can match documents. The Uganda invoice generator has a TIN field in both blocks.
Questions people ask
Does it cost anything to get a TIN?
Registration with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is normally free. Agents charge for filling in the same form; pay one only if you want the time saved.
Can I invoice without a TIN?
You can write the document, but many clients will not pay an invoice that has no TIN, and you cannot charge VAT without being registered. Register first; it is usually quick.
Is the TIN the same as VAT registration?
Not necessarily. The TIN identifies you as a taxpayer; VAT registration is a separate status you take on when turnover passes the threshold or you opt in. Some countries use one number for both, others issue a separate VAT number.
How long does registration take?
Online registrations are often instant or take a few days; applications that need a visit or document checks take longer. Start before you need to send your first invoice.
Written from published tax-authority guidance and reviewed on 2026-09-03. Everything here is indicative rather than a ruling on your circumstances, and rules change. Confirm anything you rely on with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) before acting on it, and tell us if you find something out of date so we can correct it.
This guide explains the rules in general terms and is not tax advice for your circumstances. Confirm your position with a qualified adviser or with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
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Invoices, quotations, purchase orders, credit notes and waybills in UGX, with VAT and the TIN on the document. Plus a VAT calculator and a salary tax calculator. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.