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In May 2018, Singapore became the first Peppol Authority located outside of Europe. Soon after, in 2019, the national E-Invoicing network InvoiceNow was introduced, which is based on SG Peppol BIS Billing 3.0. This initiative facilitated the structured exchange of electronic invoices on a voluntary basis for both B2B and B2G transactions.
As of May 2025, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) InvoiceNow Requirement, which requires certain categories of GST-registered businesses to transmit invoices to IRAS through the InvoiceNow network. This blog details the timeline, necessary requirements, data transmission process, and SAP documentation, alongside reporting and compliance solutions for both ECC and S/4HANA systems to ensure full legal compliance across the nation.
E-Invoicing Timeline in Singapore
The Singapore E-Invoicing timeline outlines the step-by-step rollout of InvoiceNow, beginning with the adoption of the Peppol framework in 2018 and continuing with the phased introduction of mandatory GST InvoiceNow requirements by 2026. Understanding this timeline is essential for maintaining compliance and preparing for the upcoming digital invoicing obligations in Singapore.
The first major milestone in Singapore’s E-Invoicing timeline dates back to May 2018, when the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) became the first Peppol Authority outside Europe. Following this, in January 2019, the national E-Invoicing network InvoiceNow was launched, using the Singapore (SG) Peppol Business Interoperability Specifications (BIS) Billing 3.0 standard. The SG BIS Billing 3.0 represents a standardized E-Invoicing format that adopts the Peppol framework with country-specific requirements, particularly the GST system. With the introduction of InvoiceNow, Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions were supported by enabling businesses to send and receive structured e-invoices using the Peppol 4-corner model. It’s important to note that participation in E-Invoicing remains voluntary, as there is no mandated requirement.
In January 2020, the Singapore Government joined InvoiceNow as a Peppol invoice recipient. This development made Business-to-Government (B2G) E-Invoicing technically feasible, enabling the transmission of invoices to government agencies. Although it is not legally required, InvoiceNow established itself as the preferred method for invoicing government entities.
From 2021 to 2024, the adoption of InvoiceNow progressed on a voluntary basis for both B2B and B2G transactions.
Phase 1 (Initial Rollout 2025-2026)
On May 1, 2025, IRAS initiated the voluntary phase of the GST InvoiceNow Requirement, allowing existing GST-registered companies to voluntarily submit invoice data to IRAS through InvoiceNow.
Consequently, on November 1, 2025, the first obligatory fase was implemented for new companies, specifically those companies who are younger than 6 months old and have voluntarily registered for GST. These GST-registered companies are required to send invoices via InvoiceNow to IRAS.
Starting April 1, 2026, this previous requirement will extend to all new voluntary GST registrants. From this date, all new voluntary GST registrants must utilize InvoiceNow.
Phase 2 (Expansion to all GST-registered businesses 2028-2031)
- 1st of April 2028 – New and existing GST-registered with annual supplies ≤ S$200 000
- 1st of April 2029 – Existing GST-registered companies with annual supplies ≤ S$1 million
- 1st of April 2030 – Existing GST-registered companies with annual supplies ≤ S$4 million
- 1st of April 2031 – Remaining GST-registered companies with annual supplies > S$4 million
By April 2031, all GST-registered businesses in Singapore will be required to transmit invoice data via InvoiceNow.
Who must comply with the E-Invoicing requirements and when?
This section below clarifies who is subject to the E-Invoicing requirements mentioned in the timeline:
The B2G E-Invoicing is not mandated by law. However, InvoiceNow is the standard invoicing channel for government agencies. This indicates that businesses should be able to issue e-invoices via InvoiceNow.
Regarding the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) transactions, there is currently no mandate. Therefore, B2C invoices fall outside the scope of the InvoiceNow initiative.
The main focus of te InvoiceNow Requirement is on B2B transactions. Singapore’s GST InvoiceNow Requirement was phasely introduced:
- 1 May 2025 – Voluntary phase: companies that are registered for GST may voluntarily send invoice data to IRAS via InvoiceNow.
- 1 November 2025 – Mandatory phase 1: businesses that are incorporated less than 6 months (starting from November 2025) and that are voluntarily registered for GST must send invoice data to IRAS via InvoiceNow.
- 1 April 2026 – All voluntarily companies (regardless the incorporation time) that voluntarily registered for GST are required to send invoice data to IRAS via InvoiceNow.
Certain companies are not subject to the GST InvoiceNow Requirement. This includes overseas entities and entities covered by the Reverse Charge regime.
The InvoiceNow Network
What is the InvoiceNow platform?
InvoiceNow is a national E-Invoicing network in Singapore, launched by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The InvoiceNow network is built, based on the international Peppol E-Invoicing framework, enabling businesses in Singapore to send and receive electronic invoices directly between their accounting systems, such as SAP ERP, in a standard format.
How does it work?
The current situation of InvoiceNow operates on the Peppol four-corner model, complemented by a fifth corner dedicated to reporting to IRAS for GST-related purposes.
Traditionally, suppliers exchanged structured invoices directly with their customers through certified Access Points, making it a standard four-corner model. However, with the introduction of mandatory invoice submission to IRAS for certain GST-registered (following the legal requirements of Singapore). Singapore’s InvoiceNow network evolves into a five-corner model.
The five stakeholders of the InvoiceNow network are:
- Supplier (corner 1)
- Supplier’s Access Point (corner 2)
- The Customer’s Access Point (corner 3)
- The Customer (corner 4)
- IRAS (corner 5)
The invoice exchange and reporting process for sending an invoice between the Supplier and the Customer, both connected to the InvoiceNow network, can be described as follows:
The Supplier first generates a structured electronic invoice in its InvoiceNow-ready environment (e.g an SAP ERP system), using the SG Peppol BIS Billing 3.0. After the invoice is created, the Supplier transmits the invoice from its SAP System to its certified Acces Point provider. The Access Point validates the data format and ensures it is compliant to the Singapore’s InvoiceNow specifications. The Supplier’s Access Point routes the invoice through the InvoiceNow network to the Acces Point of the Customer using the Unique Entity Number (UEN). The UEN is an identification number which is issued to all registered Singapore entities. In the case of E-Invoicing, the UEN functions as a unique digital address within the network to ensure the accurate transmission of the invoice. After the Customer’s Access Point receives the invoice, it delivers it directly into the Customer’s SAP ERP system. This process occurs automatically without manual data entry. In parallel, a copy of the relevant invoice data is transmitted from the Supplier’s Access Point to the IRAS. IRAS receives the invoice data for GST monitoring, compliance and auditing purposes.
Other scenarios which can occur are the following:
- Receiving an invoice where both parties are connected to the InvoiceNow network: For purchase transactions, the Customer receives the invoice from its Access Point and validates it. In parallel the Customer’s Access Point submits a copy of the invoice data which is extracted from the InvoiceNow-ready solution (e.g. SAP) to IRAS.
- One of the parties is connected to the InvoiceNow network:
- Sending an invoice to a non-connected Customer: The Supplier issues a paper or PDF invoice to the Customer and records the supply transaction in the InvoiceNow-ready solution (e.g. SAP). Afterwards, a solution-extracted invoice is submitted to the Supplier’s Access Point, which then transmits the invoice to IRAS.
- Receiving an invoice from a non-connected Supplier: The Customer receives the paper or PDF invoice from the Supplier and records the purchase transaction in the InvoiceNow-ready solution (e.g. SAP). Afterwards, a solution-extracted invoice is submitted to the Customer’s Access Point, which then transmits the invoice to IRAS.
Data transmission with InvoiceNow E-Invoicing Singapore
Singapore uses the following two formats:
- SG Peppol BIS Billing 3.0
- PINT SG (Peppol International, Singapore)
Last but not least, in Singapore both issuer and recipient must archive all e-invoices (and paper invoices) for 5 years.
Why you should comply with the E-Invoicing requirements
The most important reason for complying with e-invoicing requirements in Singapore is to avoid penalties. GST-registered businesses that fail to transmit invoices via the InvoiceNow network can be fined. Therefore, it is essential to make the necessary adaptations in your SAP ERP system to ensure compliance with Singapore’s InvoiceNow and GST reporting requirements.
Additionally, there are some clear benefits. First, the amount of paper invoicing will significantly decrease. Second, e-invoicing allows for quicker verification, approval, and payment of invoices. Finally, it enhances data accuracy and supports more effective GST reporting and audit readiness.
How PIKON can help you
With our Competence Center for Legal Requirements, we are a strategic partner who ensures that your SAP system and business processes meet different country-specific legal requirements all over the world in the long run. We have a team of experts that combine SAP expertise and in-depth knowledge of the end-to-end legal process and technical requirements of the Spanish and many other eInvoicing and eAccounting regulations. We have gathered this experience through our many SAP Document & Reporting Compliance and local implementation projects all around the world. Some examples are SDI in Italy, SII in Spain, CFDI and Complemento de Pago in Mexico, RTIR and EKAER in Hungary, XRechnung in Germany, the different legal requirements in Turkey, etc. We have also developed our own compliance SAP Add-Ons e.g. MTD VAT in the UK and the VAT Whitelist in Poland. Furthermore, we always keep an eye on new and changing legal requirements and inform our customers when action is needed. This ensures that your company doesn’t need to follow up on all the legal requirements yourselves, and you can concentrate on your daily business.
Schedule a web meeting
If you have any questions on the Singapore’s E-Invoicing regulations, or if you are interested in a system demo regarding the E-Invoicing flow, do not hesitate to request a web meeting or leave a comment in the comments section below. We are happy to help and will come back to you as soon as possible.
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