Home / Knowledge Centre / What is a BRN?
Knowledge Centre · Basics

What Is a BRN (Business Registration Number)?

Definition: BRN (Business Registration Number) is the unique identifier issued by SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia / Companies Commission of Malaysia) when a business — a Sdn Bhd, sole proprietorship, or partnership — is registered. It confirms your business legally exists and is registered with SSM.

BRN vs TIN — what's the difference?

BRNTIN
Issued bySSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia)LHDN (Inland Revenue Board)
PurposeConfirms legal business registrationIdentifies you as a taxpayer
Used forBusiness registration, licences, bankingTax filing, e-Invoice submissions
Required on e-Invoice?Often yes, alongside TIN, to identify the registered entityYes, always required as the core identifier

See our companion guide, What is a TIN Number?, for the tax side of this.

Where to find your BRN

Why BRN matters for e-Invoice

MyInvois uses your BRN, alongside your TIN, to properly identify your business as the issuer (or a corporate buyer as the recipient) of an e-Invoice. Getting this field wrong — for example, using an outdated or mistyped BRN — can cause validation errors, especially for B2B transactions where the buyer's own BRN also needs to be captured correctly.

FAQ

What is a BRN in Malaysia?

The Business Registration Number issued by SSM when a business (Sdn Bhd, sole proprietorship, or partnership) is registered.

Is BRN the same as TIN?

No — BRN identifies your business's registration with SSM; TIN identifies you as a taxpayer with LHDN. Both are typically needed for e-Invoice purposes.

Do freelancers/sole proprietors have a BRN?

Yes, if registered as a sole proprietorship with SSM, you have a BRN. Fully unregistered individuals working informally may not — check with SSM about your specific registration status and obligations.

Related reading

WhatsApp Book Demo