In one sentenceA number ZATCA gives each taxpayer when registering with it for Zakat or income tax, used in dealing with it; it is different from the VAT number.
Simply put
A business has more than one number with ZATCA: the distinctive number (TIN) identifies it as a taxpayer for Zakat and income tax, and the VAT number appears on VAT invoices.
You need the distinctive number when filing the Zakat or tax return and in correspondence with ZATCA.
Example
An accountant filing a business's Zakat return: he logs into its account on ZATCA's portal with the distinctive number, while the VAT number is printed on the sales invoices.
Don't confuse it with
VAT numberThe VAT number has 15 digits, is for VAT and appears on invoices, while the distinctive number is for the taxpayer's file for Zakat and income tax.