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TINS Inquiry

Lesson 1: What is TINS?

The System and the Number

TINS – the system

TINS stands for Texas Identification Number System and is the Comptroller’s database for tracking payee and payment information. TINS stores information on:

  • State employees and vendors
  • Payments made by the state of Texas
  • Direct deposit instructions
  • Hold information
  • Maintenance history

TIN – the number

A Texas Identification Number (TIN) is an 11-digit number that identifies a state payee in TINS. It is based on the identification number (ID) the payee initially provides to the paying state agency, such as:

  • A Social Security number (SSN)
  • An employer identification number (EIN)
  • An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Next: Getting Information Into TINS