Understanding the New Invoice Regulations in Singapore

InvoiceNow Singapore: What GST-Registered Businesses Need to Prepare For

Singapore is progressively introducing the GST InvoiceNow requirement for GST-registered businesses.

Affected companies will need to use InvoiceNow-ready accounting or finance software and transmit relevant invoice data to IRAS. The requirement has already started for certain voluntary GST registrants and will be extended to all remaining GST-registered businesses in phases from 1 April 2028 to 1 April 2031.

For many SMEs, preparing for InvoiceNow will involve more than registering for a Peppol ID. Businesses may also need to review their accounting software, GST codes, customer and supplier records, invoicing procedures and internal approval processes.

What is InvoiceNow?

InvoiceNow is Singapore’s nationwide electronic invoicing network, introduced by IMDA and based on the international Peppol framework.

It allows businesses to send and receive structured invoice information directly between accounting systems.

This is different from preparing a PDF invoice and sending it by email. With InvoiceNow, invoice information can flow directly from the supplier’s system into the customer’s accounting system.

Potential benefits include:

• Less manual data entry

• Fewer invoice-processing errors

• Faster invoice delivery

• Easier reconciliation

• More consistent accounting records

Under the GST InvoiceNow requirement, relevant invoice data must also be transmitted to IRAS through an approved InvoiceNow solution.

Who is affected?

The requirement applies progressively to GST-registered businesses.

Businesses already affected

From 1 November 2025, the requirement applies to companies that voluntarily register for GST within six months of incorporation.

From 1 April 2026, it applies to businesses applying for voluntary GST registration, regardless of their incorporation date or business structure.

Remaining GST-registered businesses

The requirement will be introduced in phases:

Implementation dateBusinesses covered1 April 2028Certain compulsory GST registrants and existing GST-registered businesses with annual supplies of S$200,000 or less1 April 2029Existing GST-registered businesses with annual supplies of S$1 million or less1 April 2030Existing GST-registered businesses with annual supplies of S$4 million or less1 April 2031Existing GST-registered businesses with annual supplies above S$4 million

Businesses should check their IRAS correspondence or use the official IRAS implementation-date calculator to confirm the date that applies to them.

Certain overseas entities and businesses registered for GST only because of the Reverse Charge regime may currently be excluded.

What information must be submitted?

Affected businesses must transmit invoice data relating to transactions reported in their GST returns.

This may include:

• Standard-rated sales

• Zero-rated sales

• Exempt supplies

• Standard-rated purchases

• Zero-rated purchases

• Tax invoices

• Simplified tax invoices

• Receipts

• Debit notes

• Credit notes

Some information may be submitted in an aggregated form, including certain point-of-sale transactions and petty-cash purchases.

Not every GST-related transaction must be transmitted. Businesses with unusual or complex transactions should confirm the correct treatment with IRAS or a qualified GST professional.

When must the data be transmitted?

Relevant invoice data must be transmitted to IRAS by the earlier of:

• The date the GST return is filed; or

• The GST return filing deadline.

Businesses should therefore test their InvoiceNow process before submitting the GST return.

Using InvoiceNow does not remove the company’s existing responsibility to maintain proper accounting and GST records.

What should businesses do now?

1. Confirm your implementation date

Review:

• Whether your GST registration was voluntary or compulsory

• When your GST application was made

• Your annual supplies

• Any notification received from IRAS

2. Check your accounting software

Ask your software provider:

• Is our current system InvoiceNow-ready?

• Can it transmit invoice data to IRAS?

• Is an upgrade required?

• Are additional modules or subscription fees involved?

• Can it handle credit notes and invoice corrections?

• How will rejected transmissions be identified?

Some accounting systems may already support InvoiceNow but require activation.

3. Register for InvoiceNow

Businesses will generally need to register using their Unique Entity Number and obtain a Peppol ID.

Corppass may be required during the registration and verification process.

4. Activate the GST submission feature

Registering for InvoiceNow alone may not be sufficient.

The business must also activate the feature that allows relevant GST invoice information to be transmitted to IRAS.

Companies using customised or in-house systems may need to work with an IMDA-accredited Access Point Provider.

5. Review your accounting data

Before implementation, check that your accounting system contains:

• Correct business and GST details

• Complete customer and supplier records

• Proper invoice numbers and dates

• Accurate GST codes

• Correct treatment of credit notes

• Clear separation of standard-rated, zero-rated and exempt transactions

• Complete foreign-currency information

Incorrect source data may lead to rejected transmissions, inaccurate GST reporting or additional reconciliation work.

6. Test before the mandatory date

Businesses should confirm that:

• Sales invoices can be transmitted

• Purchase invoices are recorded correctly

• Credit notes and adjustments are handled properly

• GST classifications are accurate

• Transmission errors can be identified

• Invoice information agrees with the GST return

Obtaining a Peppol ID does not necessarily mean the full process is working correctly.

What support is available?

GST InvoiceNow Transition Grant

Eligible SMEs may receive an InvoiceNow transition grant of up to S$1,000, subject to IMDA’s current eligibility and claim conditions.

Larger businesses may qualify for a separate grant of up to S$5,000.

Businesses should verify grant availability and qualifying requirements before committing to expenditure.

Free InvoiceNow solutions

IMDA and IRAS have worked with InvoiceNow-ready providers to offer certain free solution packages.

These packages may be suitable for basic invoicing but may not include all the bookkeeping, inventory, approval, reporting or payroll functions required by the business.

Productivity Solutions Grant

Eligible Singapore SMEs may consider the Productivity Solutions Grant for approved accounting or digital solutions.

Support may cover up to 50% of eligible costs, subject to current Enterprise Singapore requirements.

Businesses should apply before signing a contract, paying a deposit or making payment. Grant approval is not automatic.

When may professional help be required?

Businesses may need support where:

• The current software is not InvoiceNow-ready

• Bookkeeping is mainly done using spreadsheets

• Sales invoices are prepared outside the accounting system

• GST codes are used inconsistently

• Customer or supplier details are incomplete

• The company has multiple branches or entities

• Different systems are used for sales, inventory and accounting

• Historical accounts are overdue

• The GST return does not agree with the accounting records

• Staff are unsure which transactions must be transmitted

The main challenge may not be InvoiceNow registration itself. The business may first need to improve its bookkeeping and accounting processes.

How MY Accounting Artists can help

MY Accounting Artists helps Singapore SMEs prepare their accounting records and systems for InvoiceNow.

Our support may include:

• Reviewing current invoicing and bookkeeping processes

• Checking whether the accounting system meets business needs

• Identifying gaps in customer, supplier and transaction records

• Cleaning up overdue accounts

• Reviewing GST codes and workflows

• Supporting accounting-system evaluation and implementation

• Coordinating requirements with an accredited InvoiceNow provider

• Testing accounting reports and GST reconciliations

• Training staff on updated procedures

• Providing ongoing bookkeeping and GST-filing support

Technical connection to the InvoiceNow network must be completed through an appropriate IMDA-accredited solution or Access Point Provider.

Start preparing for InvoiceNow Singapore

Businesses should not wait until the final GST filing period to begin preparing.

Start by confirming your implementation date, checking whether your accounting system is InvoiceNow-ready and reviewing the quality of your invoicing and GST records.

A well-prepared system can help your business meet the GST InvoiceNow requirement while reducing manual work and improving financial information.

Book a Free Accounting Consultation

Unsure whether your accounting software, bookkeeping records or GST processes are ready for InvoiceNow?

Book a Free Accounting Consultation with MY Accounting Artists or Chat with Us on WhatsApp to discuss the practical steps required for your business.

Information reviewed: 24 July 2026

Important notice: This article provides general information only. InvoiceNow requirements, grant conditions and implementation dates may change. Businesses should confirm their position with IRAS, IMDA, Enterprise Singapore and an appropriate professional adviser.