How to get a tax identification number in Cameroon to open a bank account (Requirements)

In June, 2020, Tax registration/identification number was added to the list of requirements/prerequisites for opening a bank account in all the banks in Cameroon; which falls inline with a 2020 Finance Law which requires everyone to present a unique identification number assigned by tax authorities, before opening a bank account with any credit and micro-finance institutions.

Cameroonians who also wish to subscribe to any type of insurance contract, get connected to water or electricity network, obtain land title and entry in to a regulated profession (like notary, lawyer, bailiff…) will also be required to provide a tax registration number.

According to the public authorities, this new measure is part of the policy of broadening the tax base implemented over the last few years in order to increase internal revenue, while reducing the proportion of taxpayers still evading the tax authorities.

What is Tax Registration Number in Cameroon? & Why No Bank in Cameroon will Open an Account for you without it as from June, 2020.

The Taxpayer Identification Number also known as the Unique Identification Number (UIN) is a fourteen alphanumeric code used to track taxpayers by the tax administration and the administration of tax laws.

This alphanumeric code is a required information for business invoices and must be presented in any dealings with the tax administration.

This means, all taxpayers must include their unique identification number on all tax-related documents.

Why No bank will agree to open an account for you without a Taxpayer Identification Number.

The new finance law also stipulates that any bank or micro-finance institution which opens an account for an organization or individual not registered in the tax register (without a tax registration number) will be fined 5 million frs CFA.

Mindful of the huge fine, no bank in Cameroon will dare open a bank account for a client without a tax identification number.

To effectively abide to the new finance law and avoid the huge fine which awaits defaulters, most banking institutions in Cameroon have shifted the fine to their employees by drafting by-laws which stipulates that any of their employee who
“dare” opens a bank account for a client without a unique tax registration number, will be fined the sum of 5 million frs CFA.

Mindful of the by-law, no bank employee (even under the influence of drugs or Alcohol) will dare open a bank account for you without a tax identification number.

So how do we get a tax identification number in Cameroon to open a bank account???

One thing i love so much about this new finance law is that its very easy to Obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number in Cameroon.

To get a Tax identification number to open a bank account with any bank in Cameroon, you just need to go to the taxation office in your town and you will be issued a tax identification number.

Requirements for Obtaining the Taxpayer Identification Number in Cameroon.

*** Photocopy of National Identity Card
*** 5000 frs (you will also be asked to pay 5000 frs as registration fee).

The taxpayer identification number is issued by the Directorate General of Taxation in Cameroon.

It may surprise you to know that it will take you just 30 minutes to obtain a Tax identification number from the taxation office in your town.

So if you were asked to get a tax identification number before opening a bank account in Cameroon, don’t panic or give up on openning an account. Simply photocopy your identity card and go to your local taxation office to obtain a tax registration number and continue with the process.

However despite making a tax registration number mandatory for opening a bank account in Cameroon in an attempt to reduce the rate of tax evasion, sources within the Ministry of Finance estimate that around 30% of taxpayers are still evading the tax administration. Just like Cameroonians always say “Impossible n’est pas camerounais!”.

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