In today’s global business environment, a precise understanding of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Tax Identification Number (TIN) — as well as the Certificate of Compliance (COC) and Company Registration Number (CRN) — is essential for PNG VAT verification, KYB checks, and corporate compliance. PNG is undergoing a significant modernization of its tax system with the introduction of the Income Tax Act 2025, effective from January 1, 2026. Navigating these new legislative updates and multiple registries can be challenging, which is why having a single trusted resource that answers every key question makes all the difference between full regulatory adherence and costly mistakes.
This FAQ blog was created to deliver clear, complete answers to the 10 most essential questions about PNG TINs — from definition and formats to verification methods and automation strategies.
Businesses that make the smart choice to automate their compliance connect instantly to official sources, ensuring fast, accurate, and fully compliant Tax ID verification for tax, onboarding, and regulatory reporting purposes.
10 Essential Questions About TIN in Papua New Guinea
Common Questions
1. What is a TIN in Papua New Guinea?
In Papua New Guinea, the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned by the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) to individuals, businesses, and other entities.
The TIN is the master ID used for all tax-related matters, including Income Tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and Withholding Taxes. Under the Tax Administration Act 2017 and the new Income Tax Act 2025, citing a valid TIN is mandatory in all correspondences with the IRC and for processing business payments. Using a TIN that is not verified in the IRC database can lead to the immediate withholding of payments by customers or government agencies.
2. What types of TIN numbers exist?
3. What is the format of the TIN?
4. Which authority issues the TIN?
5. Who needs to register for a TIN?
6. How to register or apply for a TIN?
7. How to verify a TIN in Papua New Guinea?
8. How do companies automate PNG TIN compliance?
9. What are the uses of TIN for businesses in PNG?
10. What happens if a TIN is incorrect or missing?
Conclusion
Papua New Guinea’s tax system is modernizing rapidly under the Income Tax Act 2025. While the 9-digit TIN is the master ID, the Certificate of Compliance (COC) ultimately determines whether a business receives its full payment or faces a 10% withholding penalty.
For companies trading in PNG, relying on manual checks across the IRC and IPA portals is inefficient. Implementing a robust TIN validation solution centralizes global compliance logic, prevents unexpected tax withholdings, and strengthens financial controls. By embedding advanced validation into your onboarding and payment workflows, you achieve full compliance and peace of mind across the entire Pacific market.