Yes, you can get a TIN online even without a job. Under Executive Order 98, the BIR issues a TIN to people who need one for bank or government transactions, including first-time jobseekers. You apply through the BIR’s Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), and the TIN is emailed to you once approved. It’s free.
After that, you can generate a free Digital TIN ID in ORUS, and since April 2026 you can also view it in the eGovPH app. You no longer need to wait for a physical TIN card.
| Who can apply | Filipinos without income who need a TIN for banks or government transactions, including first-time jobseekers |
| Where | Online through ORUS, or in person at the BIR office for your area |
| Form | BIR Form 1904, filled in online in ORUS |
| Cost | Free, including the Digital TIN ID |
| You receive | Your TIN by email and in your ORUS profile |
| ID | Digital TIN ID in ORUS, and in eGovPH since April 2026 |
We are not the BIR. This is an independent guide. Use only the BIR’s own ORUS website. The BIR says the TIN and the Digital TIN ID are free and not for sale, so never pay anyone for them.
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Who can get a TIN under EO 98
Executive Order 98 lets people who don’t earn income get a TIN because they need it for:
- Dealings with banks, such as opening an account
- Dealings with government agencies, such as the LTO or other offices that ask for a TIN
- First-time job hunting, as a first-time jobseeker
If you already have a job, your employer registers you with a different form. If you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you register as a self-employed taxpayer instead. This guide is for people who don’t have income yet.
Check first: you may already have a TIN
Each person may have only one TIN, for life. Getting a second one is against the law and can lead to penalties. If you ever had a job, even briefly, your employer may already have registered you.
ORUS has a TIN inquiry feature you can use to check, or you can ask the BIR. If you find an old TIN, use it, and update your registration in ORUS if your details have changed.
How to get your TIN online through ORUS
Step 1 — Create your ORUS account
Go to the BIR’s ORUS website and choose New Registration as an individual. Use an email address you can open right away, since you’ll need to verify it within 24 hours. The password has to be long, at least 12 characters, with upper and lower case letters, numbers and a special character.
Step 2 — Choose the right registration type
Select the option to get a TIN as a Filipino citizen under EO 98 or as a one-time taxpayer, then the EO 98 taxpayer type. Picking the wrong type can get your application returned.
Step 3 — Fill in BIR Form 1904 online
ORUS walks you through your personal details, residence address, the purpose of your TIN, and your spouse’s details if you’re married. For the purpose, be specific, for example “opening a bank account” or “first-time jobseeker”. Spell your name exactly as it appears on your PSA birth certificate.
Step 4 — Upload your documents
Upload a clear scan of a valid government ID with your photo, and your birth certificate if asked, as JPG, PNG or PDF files of up to 25 MB each. Make sure every corner is visible and the text is readable.
Step 5 — Wait for your TIN
Once the BIR approves your application, the TIN is sent to your email. You can also see it anytime by logging in to ORUS and opening your profile.
How to get your Digital TIN ID
The Digital TIN ID is the BIR’s free electronic ID card. It carries the same weight as the old physical card as proof of your TIN, and you don’t need a physical card if you have it.
- In ORUS: log in, go to the Digital TIN ID option and generate it. Save or print it.
- In the eGovPH app: since 24 April 2026, verified eGovPH users can view their Digital TIN ID in the app and show it on their phone.
If you already use eGovPH, for example to renew your NBI clearance on eGovPH, you can add your TIN ID there too.
Applying in person instead
If you’d rather not apply online, go to the BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) that covers your home address. Bring a completed BIR Form 1904 and a valid government ID. The BIR’s website can tell you which RDO covers your address.
Using your TIN ID as a valid ID
The BIR says the Digital TIN ID is a valid government-issued ID, subject to verification. Many offices accept it, but for important applications such as an NBI clearance, pair it with an ID the office names itself, such as your National ID or passport. Our list of valid IDs for NBI clearance shows which ones are safest.
Looking for your first job? The same first-time jobseeker certification from your barangay also gets you a free NBI clearance and other documents; see our guide to the free NBI clearance for first-time jobseekers.
Common ORUS problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| The verification email never arrived | Check your spam folder, and verify within 24 hours. If the link expires, start the registration again |
| ORUS says you already have a TIN | Don’t apply again. Use the TIN inquiry or ask the BIR for your existing TIN |
| Your application was returned | Check that you chose the EO 98 registration type and that your uploads are clear and complete |
| Your name doesn’t match your documents | Use the exact spelling on your PSA birth certificate |
| You need a PSA birth certificate for the upload | Order a copy before you start, so you can upload it |
If you don’t have a recent copy of your birth certificate, here’s how to get a PSA birth certificate online.
FAQs: TIN for unemployed Filipinos
Yes. Apply through the BIR’s ORUS under EO 98. The TIN is emailed to you once it’s approved.
Nothing. The TIN and the Digital TIN ID are free. The BIR warns that they’re not for sale.
You don’t need one. The Digital TIN ID from ORUS or eGovPH is valid proof of your TIN.
Be specific, for example “opening a bank account”, “LTO driver’s license” or “first-time jobseeker”.
Keep the same TIN. Your registration is updated to show your employer, and you never get a second TIN.
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