Philippines TIN validator
How the TIN format works
- Format
- 9-digit TIN, optionally followed by a 3- or 5-digit branch code (all zeros for a head office), written like 123-456-789-000
- Example
- 123456789000
Things to watch for
- The first 9 digits identify the taxpayer; the branch code that follows distinguishes a head office (000 or 00000) from its branches
- The BIR doesn't publish a check-digit formula, so only the digit count can be checked
- Format-only check — a pass doesn't confirm the TIN was issued or belongs to a particular taxpayer
^[0-9]{9}([0-9]{3}|[0-9]{5})?$A Philippine TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) is the number the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) assigns to every registered taxpayer — employees, self-employed individuals, corporations and partnerships alike — typically written as 123-456-789-000. The first nine digits identify the taxpayer; the group after the last dash is the branch code. You’ll find it on the BIR Certificate of Registration (Form 2303), on official receipts and invoices, and on withholding-tax certificates. This page is for payroll, accounts-payable and supplier-onboarding teams handling Philippine taxpayer details.
Why the same TIN appears at different lengths
| Written as | Digits | What it contains |
|---|---|---|
| 123-456-789 | 9 | The TIN on its own |
| 123-456-789-000 | 12 | TIN plus a 3-digit branch code |
| 123-456-789-00000 | 14 | TIN plus a 5-digit branch code |
Payroll systems, supplier forms and BIR documents don’t always agree on which form to use, so this tool strips dashes and spaces and accepts all three. A 10-, 11- or 13-digit string is rejected, because it can’t be split into a 9-digit TIN and a valid branch code.
Keeping branch codes straight
For accounts-payable and withholding records, the branch code matters: a supplier’s head office (000) and its branch 001 share a TIN but are separately registered locations. Recording the wrong one is a common reconciliation headache, even though both numbers are correctly formatted.
What this check can’t confirm
Because no check digit has been published, this validator can only confirm the shape of the number, entirely in your browser. A mistyped digit that keeps the length intact will still pass — so for anything that matters, compare the TIN against the taxpayer’s own BIR registration document.
Scope: this page and tool cover Philippine TIN format validation only — not BIR registration status, taxpayer identity, or filing compliance.
Content last reviewed 2026-10-11.
TIN FAQ
What is the branch code at the end of a Philippine TIN?
It's the group of digits after the first nine, and it identifies which registered location of the taxpayer is involved. A head office uses all zeros — 000, or 00000 where five digits are used — and each registered branch has its own code. The underlying 9-digit TIN is the same for the head office and every branch.
Can a taxpayer have more than one TIN?
No. The Bureau of Internal Revenue issues one TIN per taxpayer. If you find two different 9-digit TINs recorded for the same person or business, treat it as a data problem to resolve with the BIR rather than as two valid numbers.
Does this tool confirm a TIN belongs to a real taxpayer?
No. The BIR hasn't published a check-digit formula, so this tool confirms only the digit count and layout. It can't tell you whether the TIN was issued or who holds it — that requires the Bureau of Internal Revenue itself.