A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is the starting point for almost everything tax-related in Uganda — filing returns, registering a company, clearing goods, or even opening certain bank accounts. Registering is free and can be done online, but the process trips people up in a few predictable places.
What you'll need before you start
- A valid national ID (for individuals) or company registration documents (for businesses)
- A working phone number and email address for verification
- Basic details about your business activity, if registering as a company
The general process
- Create an account on URA's e-Services portal using your email and phone number.
- Complete the TIN application form, entering your personal or company details exactly as they appear on your ID or registration certificate.
- Upload supporting documents — mismatched names or unclear scans are the most common reason applications stall.
- Submit and wait for verification — URA reviews the application before issuing the TIN.
- Download your TIN certificate once approved, and keep a copy on file — you'll need the number itself for most future filings.
Company TIN applications depend on the business first being properly registered with URSB. If your registration details and TIN application don't match exactly, expect delays.
Where Frankmar Associates steps in
Most complications come down to documentation — a name that doesn't quite match, a missing supporting document, or an application submitted before company registration was fully complete. We handle TIN registration end to end for clients, and where an application has already stalled, we work directly with URA to resolve it.
