What Is InvoiceNow in Singapore? How It Works and GST Requirements

InvoiceNow is Singapore’s nationwide e-invoicing network. It lets businesses send and receive invoices as structured data directly between compatible accounting or finance systems. Built on the international Peppol framework, InvoiceNow helps reduce manual invoice entry and makes it easier for businesses using different software to exchange invoices. Source: IMDA

For business owners, two questions matter: how does InvoiceNow change everyday invoicing, and when does your business need to meet Singapore’s GST InvoiceNow Requirement?

This guide explains both.

How does InvoiceNow work?

InvoiceNow transfers invoice information between connected systems through the Peppol network. Participating businesses can use different software providers, provided their systems support the network’s requirements.

A typical invoice follows this process:

1. Create the invoice in your accounting or finance software.

2. Select the customer’s registered Peppol ID, which identifies the recipient on the network.

3. Send it through your provider’s connection. Access Point providers handle transmission between the connected systems.

4. Receive it in the customer’s system, where the invoice data can support processing without retyping every field.

IMDA oversees Singapore’s Peppol implementation and accredits InvoiceNow service providers. Source: IMDA’s InvoiceNow framework

For example, imagine a supplier invoices a customer for office equipment. Instead of the customer opening an email attachment and copying its details into accounting software, the invoice information arrives through the connected system. The customer can then review it against the order and approve it for payment.

What is a Peppol ID?

A Peppol ID is your business’s address on the network. Your solution provider or Access Point provider helps register your business using its Unique Entity Number (UEN) and obtain the ID. Other participants use it to route invoices to your business. Source: IRAS onboarding guidance

How is InvoiceNow different from emailing a PDF?

A PDF invoice is a document the recipient can read. An InvoiceNow invoice carries structured data that compatible software can process. Emailing a PDF alone does not provide the same system-to-system exchange. Source: IMDA InvoiceNow FAQs

The practical benefit is less repetitive handling. Your team still needs to check that the supplier, quantities, prices and tax treatment are correct.

Why use InvoiceNow?

InvoiceNow can reduce invoice administration, particularly when staff repeatedly move information between documents and accounting systems.

Potential benefits include:

• Less manual entry: fewer invoice details to copy between systems.

• Fewer transcription errors: less opportunity to mistype amounts or references.

• Smoother processing: invoices can enter the receiving workflow more directly.

• Support for shorter payment cycles: reducing processing delays can help invoices move towards payment sooner.

These are potential operational improvements, rather than a guarantee that every customer will pay faster. Source: IRAS and IMDA’s InvoiceNow announcement

To get the most value, decide who reviews incoming invoices, who resolves mismatches and who follows up on overdue balances.

Is InvoiceNow mandatory in Singapore?

As of September 2026, the GST InvoiceNow Requirement already applies to specified new voluntary GST registrants. IRAS has also announced further phases covering remaining GST-registered businesses between April 2028 and April 2031, subject to exclusions.

The requirement involves submitting invoice data to IRAS through InvoiceNow-Ready Solutions. Simply registering a Peppol ID is not enough: the GST submission feature must also be activated. Source: IRAS GST InvoiceNow Requirement

GST InvoiceNow implementation timeline

The existing-business bands above show each additional group entering the rollout; businesses covered earlier remain covered. Source: IRAS’s announced rollout

How do you determine your implementation date?

For existing businesses, the rollout uses total supplies reported in GST accounting periods ending in calendar year 2025. This means the combined value of standard-rated, zero-rated and exempt supplies reported in Box 4.

Check IRAS’s notification or implementation-date calculator, especially if your business lacks a full year of relevant returns. Overseas entities and businesses registered wholly because of the reverse-charge regime are excluded. Source: IRAS implementation dates and exclusions

What is the difference between InvoiceNow and GST InvoiceNow reporting?

InvoiceNow supports invoice exchange between businesses. The GST InvoiceNow Requirement adds submission of relevant invoice data to IRAS for tax administration.

This distinction matters because the reporting scope goes beyond invoices exchanged with customers on Peppol. Relevant transactions can include invoices handled outside the network.

Generally, reporting covers standard-rated and zero-rated supplies and purchases, plus exempt supplies. Specific exclusions and permitted aggregation rules apply, including for certain retail and petty-cash transactions.

Invoice data must reach IRAS by the earlier of:

• The date you file the relevant GST return; or

• That return’s filing deadline.

Your software setup should therefore cover the transactions your business actually handles, including purchases and adjustments. Source: IRAS e-Tax Guide

How can your business get started with InvoiceNow?

Start by reviewing your current invoicing process and confirming what your software supports.

1. Check your existing software

Ask your provider whether your current solution supports InvoiceNow and GST invoice-data submission. If you use a customised ERP, an integration through an accredited Access Point provider may be an option. Source: IRAS GST InvoiceNow FAQs

Useful questions include:

• Can we send and receive invoices?

• How do we activate submissions to IRAS?

• How are failed submissions identified and corrected?

• How are credit notes and supplier invoices handled?

• What setup, subscription or transaction fees apply?

2. Confirm your registration and connection

Work with your provider to obtain or confirm your Peppol ID and complete the required connection setup. For GST reporting, confirm that the submission feature is enabled. Source: IRAS onboarding steps

3. Test your everyday scenarios

Before relying on the process, test a representative sales invoice, supplier invoice and credit note.

Check the recipient details, invoice references, tax treatment and status messages. Assign someone to review exceptions so an unsuccessful submission does not remain unnoticed.

4. Include InvoiceNow in your regular accounting routine

Make submission checks part of your month-end process. Your team should know how to investigate differences between invoice records, accounting reports and GST figures.

Frequently asked questions about InvoiceNow

1. Is InvoiceNow the same as PayNow?

   No. InvoiceNow exchanges invoice data; PayNow is used for payments. Sending an InvoiceNow invoice does not itself transfer money or settle the customer’s outstanding balance. Source: IMDA InvoiceNow FAQs

2. Does InvoiceNow replace GST returns?

   No. Businesses must continue filing GST returns and retaining proper business and accounting records for at least five years. Submitting invoice data does not replace these responsibilities. Source: IRAS GST InvoiceNow FAQs

3. What if my customer does not use InvoiceNow?

   You can continue issuing invoices through another channel, such as email. If your business is subject to the GST InvoiceNow Requirement, the relevant invoice data may still need to be submitted to IRAS. Your customer’s network participation does not determine your reporting obligation. Source: IRAS e-Tax Guide

4. Do I have to replace my accounting software?

   Not necessarily. Ask whether your existing provider can support InvoiceNow or whether your system can connect through an accredited Access Point provider. Changing software is one option, but the appropriate approach depends on your current setup. Source: IRAS GST InvoiceNow FAQs

5. Can a non-GST-registered business use InvoiceNow?

   Yes. InvoiceNow is available to businesses beyond those required to submit GST invoice data. A non-GST-registered business can use the network to exchange invoices with participating trading partners. Source: IMDA

Bring invoicing and accounting together with AveriWorks

InvoiceNow is most useful when it fits naturally into the way you manage your books.

AveriWorks brings accounting, InvoiceNow and GST InvoiceNow features together in a cloud ERP, with invoice sending and receiving, submission tracking and reconciliation reports.

Explore AveriWorks to see how connected invoicing can fit your business’s daily accounting workflow.