The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is blocking portal access for taxpayers who have not replaced their Tax Identification Number (TIN) with a National Identification Number (NIN) — or a Business Registration Number (BRN) for companies and non-individual entities. The requirement comes from Section 4 of the Tax Procedures Code Act, which took effect on July 1, 2025. URA published a public notice on May 21, 2026, signalling the portal block is now being enforced.
The update goes beyond swapping identifiers. Taxpayers must also confirm and correct their active telephone contacts, physical or business address, and the nature of business on file. The portal will prompt non-compliant users the moment they log in — no filings, payments, or applications can proceed until the registration is brought up to date.
The shift anchors Uganda’s tax records to its national identity and business registry systems. Linking TIN records to NINs and BRNs gives URA a cleaner connection between a taxpayer’s verified identity, business activity, and physical presence — closing registration gaps that can obscure the true tax base.
For individual taxpayers, failing to link a NIN to their URA account locks out all web portal functions. Filing income tax returns, making payments, and applying for a tax clearance certificate all require portal access. A tax clearance certificate matters well beyond tax season — government tender requirements, public-sector employment verifications, and loan applications at commercial banks commonly require one. Being blocked at the wrong moment can delay bid submissions and credit approvals.
Businesses that have not linked their BRN face a harder operational disruption. Without portal access, a company cannot file VAT returns, remit PAYE on behalf of employees, or submit corporate income tax. If a filing deadline falls while the account is blocked, late-filing penalties still accrue — the portal block does not suspend the statutory obligation. Partnerships, NGOs, and other non-individual entities are in the same position; all must use a BRN, not a NIN, to complete the update.
URA has not announced a grace period: enforcement is live and automatic. Businesses should check their registration status before the next filing cycle to avoid penalties from a lockout they did not plan for.
Taxpayers can update by logging into their TIN account on the URA portal at www.ura.go.ug. In-person assistance is available at any URA tax office. URA’s toll-free line is 0800 217000; the authority can also be reached at 0323-444602 / 0323-444603 or on WhatsApp at 0772140000.
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