A TIN number in Rwanda (Taxpayer Identification Number) is the number the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) uses to identify you for every tax. You need one to run a business, file declarations, bid for tenders, register a vehicle, buy or sell property and obtain a tax clearance certificate. For most people getting an RRA TIN is free and quick. This page explains how it works, how to find a lost TIN and what comes next.
Kigali Business Setup helps clients get their TIN, set up MyRRA access and register for the right taxes from day one. We are honest about it: much of this you can do yourself online. Our value is getting it right first time and handling the follow-up.
Two ways to get a TIN
1. Through company or business registration with RDB
If you are starting a business, you do not apply to RRA separately. RRA explains that business registration through the Rwanda Development Board is immediate and free of charge, and that RDB and RRA systems are integrated so that a single TIN is issued. The Registrar General assigns the TIN, which is shown on your commercial register certificate. From that moment you are a taxpayer and automatically registered for income tax.
RDB says business registration is a 100% online process, free of charge, delivered within six hours when the application is compliant. Our company registration in Rwanda page walks through it step by step.
Cooperatives are the exception: they register through the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA).
2. Directly at an RRA office
RRA offices register people and bodies that do not register a business through RDB, including:
- Individuals without business intent, for example for motor vehicle ownership or a tax clearance
- Employers filing PAYE only
- Property owners
- NGOs and joint ventures
- Successions and public institutions
Bring your national ID or passport and any supporting documents for the reason you need a TIN. Check rra.gov.rw for the office nearest to you.
Documents and information you will need
| Situation | What you typically provide |
|---|---|
| New company via RDB | Email address, ID or passport, company name, business activities, office address, shareholder and director details |
| Corporate shareholder | Certificate of incorporation and articles of association of the shareholder company |
| Individual, no business | National ID or passport, phone number, reason for the TIN |
| Property owner | ID or passport plus property details |
Source: RDB business registration page and RRA registration page, as of October 2026.
Deadlines that matter
- Register within 7 days of starting business activity.
- Report changes within 7 days, such as a new address, a new activity or closing a branch.
- VAT registration within 7 days of passing the threshold of RWF 20 million turnover over 12 months, or RWF 5 million in three consecutive months.
Missing these can lead to fines under the tax procedures law. For a natural person or small business with turnover between RWF 2 million and 20 million, RRA lists a fixed fine of RWF 50,000 for failure to register or to declare on time.
How to check or recover your TIN
Lost your TIN? You have a few options:
- Online search by National ID: RRA's e-tax portal has a "Search for TIN using National ID" tool at etax.rra.gov.rw.
- Your RDB certificate: if you registered a company, the TIN is printed on the commercial register certificate.
- Contact RRA: foreign residents without a Rwandan National ID can contact RRA or visit an office with a passport.
Setting up MyRRA
MyRRA is the RRA's online portal for declarations, payments and certificates. According to the RRA's MyRRA guide:
- First-time users enter their TIN and choose Sign up.
- A code is sent to the phone number registered with RRA to confirm the password.
- A Forgot password option resets access using the same phone.
Make sure the phone number on your RRA record is one you control. If an agent or former employee registered your TIN with their own number, update it, otherwise you cannot reset your password.
After the TIN: what comes next
Getting a TIN is the start of your tax life, not the end. Depending on your business you may need to:
- [ ] Register for VAT if you pass the threshold, or choose voluntary registration
- [ ] Request an Electronic Billing Machine (EBM): RRA says every person carrying out taxable activities should request and use one, whether VAT-registered or not
- [ ] Register as an employer with RSSB and file PAYE if you hire staff
- [ ] Note your declaration deadlines, including nil returns
- [ ] Keep books of account for 10 years
Our tax declaration guide explains filing deadlines, and our accounting and payroll page covers RSSB and PAYE. If you are relocating, see our move to Rwanda guide.
How Kigali Business Setup helps
- We register your business with RDB so the TIN is issued correctly first time.
- For individuals, we prepare what you need for the RRA office visit.
- We set up your MyRRA access on your own phone number and email.
- We tell you which taxes apply, including VAT, PAYE and withholding tax, and set reminders for each deadline.
- We connect you with accredited accountants for monthly bookkeeping and filings.
Use the form on this page to tell us whether you need a TIN for a new business, as an individual or to recover access. We will reply with the steps and a quote for our support.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a TIN number cost in Rwanda?
Nothing. RRA states that registering a business and getting a TIN through RDB online registration is immediate and free of charge. RRA notes that private internet cafés may charge a service fee if they help you, but the government does not charge for the TIN itself.
How do I get a TIN number for my company?
Register the company online with the Rwanda Development Board. RDB and RRA systems are integrated, so the Registrar General assigns a TIN, which appears on your commercial register certificate. You are then automatically registered for income tax. RDB says compliant applications are completed within six hours.
Can an individual without a business get a TIN?
Yes. RRA offices register individuals without business intent, for example people who need a TIN for owning a motor vehicle or getting a tax clearance, as well as property owners, PAYE filers, NGOs and joint ventures. Visit an RRA office with your ID or passport.
How can I check or find my TIN number?
RRA offers an online tool to search for a TIN using a National ID number on its e-tax portal (etax.rra.gov.rw). If you registered a company, the TIN is also printed on the RDB certificate. Foreign residents without a national ID can contact RRA directly.
How soon must I register for tax after starting business?
RRA asks businesses to register within seven days from the beginning of business activity, and to notify any changes, such as a new address or activity, within seven days. Registering a company through RDB covers the TIN at the same time.
How do I log in to MyRRA for the first time?
On the MyRRA portal, first-time users enter their TIN and choose Sign up. A confirmation code is sent to the phone number registered with RRA, and you then set a password. If you forget it, use the Forgot password option, which also uses your registered phone.
Do I need to register for VAT when I get my TIN?
Not always. VAT registration is required when turnover exceeds RWF 20 million over 12 months or RWF 5 million in three consecutive months, as of October 2026. You must then register within seven days. Voluntary VAT registration is also allowed.