Cameroon Tax ID Number (TIN) Guide

Introduction

In Cameroon, the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is crucial for both individuals and businesses as it is used to ensure compliance with the country’s tax regulations. The TIN serves as a unique identifier for all taxpayers, helping to track tax obligations and ensure proper tax filing. Whether you are a business owner, an employee, or an entity, having the correct TIN is essential for fulfilling your tax duties, as well as for facilitating transactions in Cameroon.

The information provided here has been verified to ensure accuracy based on official sources, and the details are aligned with the guidelines from the Cameroon Directorate General of Taxes (DGT).

Tax Identification Number Types

In Cameroon, there are specific TINs assigned to different categories of taxpayers, each with its purpose.

Official TIN Types:

TIN for Individuals (Numéro d’Identification Fiscale – NIF): This is assigned to individual taxpayers, including residents and foreign nationals with tax obligations in Cameroon.

TIN for Businesses (Numéro d’Identification Fiscale des Entreprises – NIFE): This is assigned to businesses, companies, and other legal entities conducting operations within Cameroon.

Applicability:

For Individuals: The Numéro d’Identification Fiscale (NIF) applies to individual taxpayers, whether they are employed or self-employed.

For Businesses and Legal Entities: The Numéro d’Identification Fiscale des Entreprises (NIFE) is used for business and legal entity registration with tax authorities.

TIN Format and Structure

In Cameroon, the Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as the NIU (Numéro d’Identifiant Fiscal Unique), follows a standardized alphanumeric structure that varies slightly depending on whether it is issued to an individual or a business.

Format:

The TIN in Cameroon is alphanumeric and consists of 14 characters in total:

1 letter prefix (indicating taxpayer type)

12 digits (unique identifier)

1 letter suffix (control or checksum character)

Structure by Taxpayer Type:

Individual TIN (NIU):
Begins with the letter P, followed by 12 digits, and ends with a letter.
Example format: P123456789012X

Business TIN (NIU):
Begins with the letter M, followed by 12 digits, and ends with a letter.
Example format: M123456789012X

This structured format ensures each taxpayer in Cameroon—whether an individual or a business—has a unique and verifiable identification number used for all tax-related obligations and processes.

Issuing Authority and Registration Process

The Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) is the official authority responsible for issuing TINs in Cameroon.

Official Website: https://www.dgi.gov.cm

Registration Process:

Eligibility Requirements:
- Individuals: Residents of Cameroon or foreigners earning income from Cameroon.
- Businesses: Any entity that operates within Cameroon or is subject to tax obligations.

Documents Required for Registration:

For Individuals:

National ID card or passport

Proof of address (e.g., utility bill)

For Businesses:

Certificate of incorporation or business registration documents

Identification documents of company directors or owners

Application Process:
- Online Registration: Businesses and individuals can register online via the official DGT portal.
- Offline Registration: Registration is also possible at local tax offices.
Fees: The registration process itself is generally free of charge for individuals. For businesses, additional fees may apply depending on the business type and tax obligations.

TIN Verification and Lookup

To verify a TIN in Cameroon, individuals and businesses can use the official online verification tool provided by the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT).

Official TIN Verification Tool: Available on the official DGT website at https://www.dgi.gov.cm

Or Instantly Verify Tax IDs in Cameroon with TaxDo Real-Time TIN Validation Platform

TaxDo offers a compliant, automated, and globally trusted solution for TIN verification—not just in Cameroon, but across 135+ jurisdictions. Unlike other solutions, TaxDo validates tax IDs instantly and securely using only official government sources.

What Makes TaxDo Different?

Real-time TIN verification for Cameroon and 135+ countries
Seamless API integration into your ERP, CRM, or onboarding system
Powerful dashboard to manage and track tax ID validations globally
Fully compliant and official-source-based results ONLY

Whether you’re conducting due diligence, onboarding clients, granting tax exemption, or managing vendor records—TaxDo ensures you stay compliant, efficient, and accurate.

📩 Get started today or schedule a free demo to see how TaxDo simplifies tax compliance.

Schedule a Demo

TIN and VAT Number Connection

In Cameroon, the TIN serves as the VAT number for businesses. Therefore, there is no separate VAT number; businesses use the same TIN for VAT purposes.

VAT Number Format: The format for VAT numbers mirrors the TIN format and is a numeric code.

This simplifies the registration and filing process for businesses in Cameroon, as they only need to manage one identification number for both tax and VAT reporting.

Importance of Accurate TIN Validation

Validating the TIN is essential to ensure that tax filings are properly recorded and that the taxpayer complies with Cameroonian tax laws. Using the official verification tool ensures that the TIN is recognized by the tax authority, minimizing the risk of errors and potential penalties.

The implications of an incorrect or invalid TIN include:

Delays in tax filings

Potential fines or penalties for non-compliance

Difficulty in conducting legitimate business transactions, especially for international operations

Why Accurate TIN Validation Matters

Ensuring the accuracy of your TIN is critical for both businesses and individuals in Cameroon. An incorrect or unverified TIN can lead to serious complications such as:

Delays in tax processing
Rejection of tax exemption claims
Fines and penalties for non-compliance
Rejection of e-invoicing submissions
Onboarding unqualified suppliers or customers
Data quality issues across finance and compliance systems

Using the Cameroon Directorate General of Taxes’ official website or TaxDo real-time global tax ID verification platform ensures accurate Tax ID validation, error reduction, and full compliance with Cameroonian tax laws.

Stay Compliant with TaxDo

While the Directorate General of Taxes’ official website offers a basic TIN checker, TaxDo takes Cameroon TIN validation to the next level with real-time results, periodic revalidation for ongoing compliance, and seamless integration into your systems.

With TaxDo, you can automate Tax ID validation, monitor changes, and ensure continuous compliance—all from a single, user-friendly dashboard or through API connectivity.

TaxDo is trusted by leading enterprises, platforms, and compliance teams worldwide. Try it now and eliminate the risks of Tax ID errors in Cameroon and beyond.