NIF and NIS: what is the difference, and how do you get them?

Two numbers, two administrations

The NIF and the NIS look alike on paper, but they have different roles and different counters. The NIF is your tax identity: without it, no tax return, no tax payment, no tax certificate. The NIS is your statistical identity: some government offices and banks ask for it. A business needs both to operate normally.

Getting the NIF

You apply for the NIF once the business is entered in the trade register. The first tax step is the declaration of existence (G n°8), filed within 30 days of starting business with the tax office responsible for the registered office. The NIF request itself can be made online, on the dedicated Ministry of Finance portal.

1. 1

   Have your trade register extract

   The NIF is based on the CNRC (trade register centre) registration. Keep the extract and the articles of association to hand: you will need them at every step.

2. 2

   Fill in the G n°8 declaration of existence

   It gives the business's identity, address, activity and tax regime. For an individual, this is where the choice between the IFU and the real regime is made.

3. 3

   Make the NIF request

   The request is filled in online at nifenligne.mf.gov.dz, with details of the business and its manager. Check the spelling of the company name: it must match the trade register exactly.

4. 4

   File the application and collect the document

   The tax office checks the file and issues the document showing the NIF. Make several copies: the bank, the ONS and CASNOS will ask for it.

Getting the NIS

You apply for the NIS with the ONS once you have the trade register entry and the NIF. The ONS records the business, its activity and its address, then issues the statistical identification document.

1. 1

   Gather the copies

   Trade register, NIF document, articles of association and the manager's ID. The same details must appear everywhere: name, address, activity.

2. 2

   File the request with the ONS

   Go to the relevant ONS office with your file, or follow the procedure it gives you.

3. 3

   Collect the NIS

   Keep the original and make copies: it completes your CASNOS file and your bank file.

The order of setup steps

1. Name certificate from the CNRC.
2. Articles of association at the notary (for a company) and a domiciliation contract or lease for the registered office.
3. Registration with the trade register.
4. Tax office: G n°8 declaration of existence and NIF.
5. ONS: NIS.
6. CASNOS: registration of the self-employed manager.
7. Then: bank account, company stamp, first tax returns.

Mistakes that cost time

• A company name spelled differently on the trade register, the NIF request and the NIS request.
• A registered office address abbreviated on one document and in full on another.
• An activity code on the G n°8 that does not match the trade register.
• Waiting months after registration: the declaration of existence is due within 30 days of starting business.
• Forgetting to report a change of registered office: the administration keeps writing to the old address.