Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) vs Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Ireland
The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a standard identifier that provides verified data on legal entities and is registered on a centralized system, the Global LEI System. The Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Ireland is referred to as Tax Reference Number (TRN) or a CHY, the last one for bodies that qualify for a charitable tax exemption.
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) in Ireland
The LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric code that is based on the ISO 17442 standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). LEI number is used as a reference to important information that offers transparency when taking part in financial transactions such as trading with stocks, bonds, or forex.
LEI connects to key reference information that enables a clear and unique identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions on a global scale. Each LEI contains well-structured reference data which is categorized into 2 sections: Level 1 data – “who is who” and parental (Level 2) data – “who owns whom”.
Level 1 data includes entity registration details, such as legal name, number of registration, legal and HQ address, etc. Parental (Level 2) data contains information about an entity’s ownership structure and thus answers the question of “who owns whom”.
Simply put, the publicly available LEI data pool transfers unstructured entity registration data into a standardized global directory, which helps to enhance transparency in the global marketplace.
How to get an LEI in Ireland?
An LEI code needs to be obtained through an LEI service provider, this could be a Local Service Provider (LOU) or a Registration Agent (RA). The Global LEI System (GLEIS) is designed to encourage competition between LEI issuers and registrators for the benefit of legal entities seeking to obtain an LEI. Generating a price for issuing and maintaining an LEI has therefore been left to the organizations themselves. This explains why some companies charge double the price of their competitors.
Where to find LEIs in Ireland?
Any interested party can access and search the complete global LEI data pool free of charge. You’ll be able to quickly source information on who is who and “who owns whom”.
LEI Register – number one Registration Agent worldwide
LEI Register is an official Registration Agent – we have been helping legal entities apply for new LEI codes or transfer and renew existing LEI codes since early 2018. We have successfully pursued our goal to make the LEI registration process simple, automated, fast, and affordable. At LEI Register we keep our profit margins low and believe in building long-term business relationships.
LEI Register has built a loyal customer base by offering the lowest prices on the market, all whilst keeping active 7 days a week customer support in a local language in 35 countries.
Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Ireland
TINs for non-natural persons
Ireland issues two types of TINs to non-natural persons – Tax Reference Numbers (TRNs) and CHY Numbers. A TRN is issued by the Revenue Commissioners when an entity registers for tax and is subsequently used by the Revenue Commissioners to identify those taxpayers.
Non-natural persons can be entities like Companies, Partnerships, Trusts, and Unincorporated Bodies and a TRN is not reported on official documents of identification.
TRNs (for both natural and non-natural persons) consist of 7 digits + either 1 or 2 letters.
CHY Numbers are also issued by the Revenue Commissioners to eligible bodies who qualify for a charitable tax exemption in accordance with Section 207 TCA 1997. Exemptions are granted under four broad headings: Advancement of Education; Advancement of Religion; Relief of Poverty and Benefit to the Community.
CHY (only for non-natural persons) consists of the letters CHY followed by between 1 and 5 digits.
How to get a TIN in Ireland?
Entities, like companies, partnerships, trusts and unincorporated bodies, are not automatically issued a TIN. At present TINs are issued to Entities only when they contact the Revenue Commissioners to register themselves, typically by completing a TR1 or TR2 form.
Where to find TINs in Ireland?
TRNs are not reported on official documents of identification. Taxpayers are informed of their TRN following registration and they can be found on the tax return form e.g. No TRN information on non-natural persons exists publicly.
But a list of bodies who have been granted a charitable tax exemption and their associated CHY Number is available on the Revenue Website at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/publications/charities_alpha.xls
Ireland TIN (2022) [online].
Available at: https://www.oecd.org/tax/automatic-exchange/crs-implementation-and-assistance/tax-identification-numbers/Ireland-TIN.pdf [Accessed 5th April 2022]