Tax Identification Number (TIN) – Definition and concept

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The tax identification code (TIN) is the alphanumeric code that, until 2008, was assigned to Spanish companies and legal entities as identification or identity number.

The tax identification code (TIN) is a code made up of numbers and letters. This code has been used, until its repeal in 2008, to identify Spanish companies, as well as any legal personality.

The tax identification code in Spain is the equivalent to the CUIT in Argentina, the TIN in the United States. Codes composed of numbers that, as with people, provide an identifying coordinate for companies and legal personalities.

How is the TIN made up?

The TIN, as we say, is a code that provides identification to companies, as well as any legal personality. Therefore, this is unique and exclusive for each legal personality.

The TIN is composed of 9 characters. Of which one character is a letter, while the remaining eight form a numerical composition.

The letter included in the code represents the type of company to which it corresponds. For example, “A” if it is a public limited company, or “B”, if they are limited liability companies.

In addition, of the digits it includes, the first two refer to the province or autonomous community in which said company or legal entity is established.

TIN example

TINs always begin with the number 9. Similar to Social Security numbers, TINs take the XXX-XX-XXXX pattern. The fourth and fifth digits always fall in the 70-88, 90-92, and 94-99 ranges. People can apply for a TIN using IRS Form W-7 (“Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number”).