The Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Mr Okon Okon, has dismissed claims that Nigerians would be denied access to their bank accounts from Jan. 1, 2026, if they do not possess a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Okon described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that Jan. 1, 2026, is not a deadline for obtaining a Tax ID.

The revenue service boss, who is also a member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, made the clarification on Tuesday in Uyo while delivering a presentation on the implementation of the new national tax regime to stakeholders from the organised private sector.

“There has been so much talk about Tax ID in the last month, and the turnout to register has been unprecedented,” he said.

“This is because Nigerians have been misinformed that from Jan. 1, 2026, they will not be able to access their bank accounts without a Tax ID. This is not correct. It is not true.”
Okon assured Nigerians that access to bank accounts would not be restricted because of the absence of a TIN, adding that the registration process would be spread throughout the year.

“You will still have access to your account without your Tax ID, but you will definitely have it in the course of the year. What I am saying clearly is that Jan. 1 is not the deadline for Tax ID,” he said.

“So, go and tell your families and friends to relax.”

He further clarified that funds held in bank accounts are not subject to taxation, as they do not qualify as income under tax laws.

“We are not taxing money in your account because money in your account does not represent income. In taxation, we tax income,” Okon explained.

The AKIRS chairman disclosed that the Joint Tax Board (JTB) had developed a digital platform that allows individuals to generate a TIN within seconds.

According to him, the platform enables taxpayers to obtain their TIN using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth.

“The Joint Tax Board has come up with a website where, in about 20 seconds, you can generate your Tax ID yourself. All you need is your NIN and your date of birth, and the ID will be issued,” he said.

Okon added that once the platform becomes fully operational in January, banks would also be able to assist customers in generating their TINs where necessary.

“So, if you don’t have it, there is no need to rush. By January, the website will be fully launched, and if you go to the bank, the bank will do it for you,” he said.

He commended Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom for supporting the Revenue Service in its sensitisation and awareness campaigns across key stakeholder groups in the state.
Highlighting the impact of the ongoing tax reforms, Okon revealed that Akwa Ibom State previously had about 63 different taxes imposed across the three tiers of government.

He said the taxes comprised 17 federal, 25 state and 21 local government levies.

“These have now been reduced to about 10 under the new tax reforms, with clear limits on what accrues to each tier of government, and provisions for negotiation where necessary to ensure equity and fairness,” he said.

Okon noted that the new national tax reforms were designed to ease the tax burden on Nigerians, stimulate economic activities and promote sustainable growth and development.

He said the fears and anxiety surrounding the reforms were unfounded, explaining that the new tax regime was aimed at addressing loopholes in the tax system, eliminating multiple taxation and curbing the activities of unauthorised tax collectors.

“The reforms are meant to bring relief to Nigerians, boost economic activities and drive national development,” he said.