How to Apply for TIN Online (TRA IDRAS): Digital Service Provider Guide

The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) lets Electronic Service Providers (digital service providers) apply for a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) online through the External Portal of its Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS). This guide explains each step, for both individuals and entities (companies), based on the official TRA IDRAS user manual.

• Who this guide is for: Digital (Electronic Service Provider) TIN applicants: individuals and entities
• System: TRA IDRAS External Portal (menu: TIN Register > TIN Application)
• You will need: an email address, a mobile number, and your Passport Number (individuals) or the entity certificate (entities)
• Attachments: only PDF files are allowed

Step 1: Start the Application and Verify Your Email (OTP)

These first steps are the same for individuals and entities:

1. Click the [TIN REGISTER] button to open the TIN application screen.
2. Click the [Digital (Electronic Service Provider) TIN Application] icon.
3. Enter your email address and mobile number, then select Individual or Entity.
4. Click the [Proceed] button.
5. Enter the OTP (one-time password) sent to your email.
6. Click the [Verify OTP] button.

Step 2: Fill in the Form (Individual Applicants)

1. Fill in the Personal Information section.
2. Enter your Passport Number and click [Verify].
3. Fill in the Service Provider Particulars section.
4. Fill in the Business Activity section down to the Activity level, then click [Add]. To remove an activity, tick its box in the grid and click [Delete].
5. Enter your address.
6. In Contact Details, select the Contact Type, fill in the contact information and click [Add]. Use the tick box and [Delete] to remove a contact.
7. Fill in the Service Provider Contact.
8. In the Service Provider Media Account section, enter your social media information and click [Add]. Use the tick box and [Delete] to remove an entry.

Step 3: Fill in the Form (Entity / Company Applicants)

1. Enter the entity information in the Entity TIN Particulars section and upload the Certificate (PDF).
2. Enter the contact person's details in the Contact Person Particulars section.
3. Fill in the Business Activity section down to the Activity level and click [Add]. Use the tick box and [Delete] to remove an activity.
4. Enter the address.
5. In Contact Details, select the Contact Type, fill in the details and click [Add].
6. Fill in the Service Provider Contact.
7. Enter the social media information in the Service Provider Media Account section and click [Add].

Step 4: Save, Review and Submit

1. Click [Save] to save the application temporarily (you can come back to it).
2. Click [Modify] if you need to change anything, or [Delete] to discard the filled application.
3. Tick the Declaration box.
4. Click [Submit] to send your application to TRA.

Important Tips

• Use an email address you can open right away, because the OTP is sent to your email.
• Prepare your documents as PDF files before you start, since other file types are not accepted.
• Make sure the passport number you enter matches your passport exactly, because it is verified by the system.
• Use only official TRA channels. Do not pay anyone who claims they can "speed up" your TIN.

Official Source

This guide is based on the TRA IDRAS user manual: Digital (Electronic Service Provider) TIN Application – TRA User Manual (PDF). The manual does not cover fees, processing time or how the TIN certificate is issued. For those details, check the official TRA website (www.tra.go.tz) or contact TRA directly.