The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has issued a official notice confirming that submitting a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will become mandatory effective November 01, 2026, for individuals carrying out specified financial, legal, and property transactions.

The directive, enacted under provisions introduced by the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, applies to individuals specified under Section 102(3) of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017 (as amended). According to notice SEC/PN/IT/2026/05 issued on September 22, 2026, obtaining a TIN is mandatory for all resident individuals who were 18 years of age or older as of December 31, 2023, or who turn 18 on or after January 1, 2024. This mandate follows Extraordinary Gazette Notification 2334/21 dated May 31, 2023.

Starting November 1, 2026, a valid TIN Certificate must be presented prior to carrying out any of the following eight specified transactions:

• Opening any account at any bank or financial institution
• Obtaining approval for a building plan
• Registering a motor vehicle
• Renewing the license of a motor vehicle
• Registering land or title to a land
• Registering a business
• Transferring shares of a company incorporated in Sri Lanka (applicable to both the transferee and transferor)
• Obtaining a credit card

The IRD instructed that relevant responsible officials must ensure, in accordance with circulars issued to them, that a valid TIN Certificate is submitted before any specified transaction is processed or completed.