What Invoice Data Is Sent to IRAS Under InvoiceNow?
Quick Answer: Under Singapore's GSTInvoiceNow Requirement, businesses submit structured invoice data to IRAS, including supplier and customer details, invoice numbers, dates, transaction values, GST categories, tax amounts and relevant credit notes. Standard-rated, zero-rated and exempt transactions are generally covered, subject to exclusions.
Singapore's GST InvoiceNow Requirement changes how GST-registered businesses share transaction information with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
Instead of relying entirely on GST returns and supporting documents requested during audits, businesses must progressively submit prescribed invoice data through InvoiceNow-Ready Solutions.
For small businesses, accountants and finance teams, understanding which invoice details must be submitted is essential for preparing their accounting systems.
1. What Is Invoice Data Submission Under GST InvoiceNow?
GST InvoiceNow requires covered GST-registered businesses to transmit structured invoice information electronically to IRAS through Singapore's InvoiceNow network.
The network uses the international Peppol framework, allowing compatible accounting systems to exchange electronic invoices.
Invoice data submission can include both sales and purchase transactions.
The purpose is to support more efficient GST administration, reduce manual data processing and improve the accuracy of transaction records.
Important: Sending invoice data through GST InvoiceNow does not replace the requirement to prepare and file GST returns.
Businesses remain responsible for their GST calculations and supporting accounting documents.
2. Which Transactions Must Be Reported to IRAS?
IRAS generally requires invoice data for transactions reported in a business's GST returns.
These include:
Standard-rated supplies and purchases
Zero-rated supplies and purchases
Exempt supplies
Relevant sales and purchase adjustments
The treatment of individual transactions depends on the applicable GST rules.
Transaction | General InvoiceNow Treatment |
|---|---|
Standard-rated sales | Reportable |
Zero-rated sales | Reportable |
Exempt sales | Generally reportable |
Standard-rated purchases with input tax claims | Reportable |
Zero-rated purchases | Generally reportable |
Purchases where input GST is not claimed | May fall outside mandatory submission |
Qualifying petty cash purchases | Aggregated submission may be permitted |
For example, a Singapore trading company selling goods subject to 9% GST generally needs to submit the relevant sales invoice information once its GST InvoiceNow obligations apply.
Businesses should also review the specific treatment of imports, reverse-charge transactions and other special arrangements.
3. What Mandatory Invoice Data Fields Must Be Sent to IRAS?
IRAS has established Mandatory Data Elements (MDEs) for invoices and credit notes.
These are broadly aligned with Singapore's existing GST invoicing requirements under the GST (General) Regulations.
Data Category | Examples of Required Information |
|---|---|
Supplier details | Supplier name, identifier, GST registration number and address |
Customer details | Customer name, relevant identifiers and address |
Invoice identification | Invoice number, issue date and document type |
Transaction information | Goods or services, quantities, prices and amounts |
GST information | Applicable tax category, taxable value and tax amount |
Invoice totals | Tax-exclusive and tax-inclusive amounts, where relevant |
Credit note information | Adjustment details and relevant original transaction references |
Some fields are mandatory or conditionally required depending on the document type and submission method.
Businesses should use the current IRAS MDE specifications rather than assuming that every transaction requires identical information.
4. Which Invoice Documents Must Be Submitted?
GST InvoiceNow covers data from invoices or equivalent documents serving as bills for payment or adjustments.
Common documents include:
Sales invoices
Purchase invoices
GST tax invoices
Simplified tax invoices
Serially numbered receipts
Debit notes
Credit notes
For example, when a customer returns goods and the supplier issues a credit note reducing the sale, the relevant credit note data generally forms part of the submission requirements.
However, not every document generated by a business is reportable.
A quotation or proforma invoice that does not constitute a bill for payment is generally not submitted merely because it has been created.
Businesses should distinguish actual invoice documents from preliminary commercial documents.
5. Can Businesses Submit Aggregated Invoice Data?
Yes. IRAS permits aggregated submissions for certain qualifying transactions.
This can help retailers and small businesses that process large numbers of relatively low-value transactions.
Aggregation may apply to:
Qualifying point-of-sale transactions
Supplies supported by simplified tax invoices
Petty cash purchases
For example, a Singapore retail store processing hundreds of consumer transactions daily may be able to submit qualifying point-of-sale information in an aggregated format instead of transmitting every individual receipt separately.
However, aggregation must follow the prescribed IRAS requirements.
Businesses should not automatically combine all transactions or assume that aggregation removes the need to maintain individual supporting records.
6. When Must Invoice Data Be Submitted to IRAS?
Businesses must submit invoice data by the earlier of:
The date the relevant GST return is actually filed.
The filing due date of that GST return.
The relevant GST return is the return covering the prescribed accounting period in which the transaction falls, according to the applicable InvoiceNow transaction-date rules.
Example:
A GST-registered business issues an invoice in March 2027 for a transaction falling within its January–March 2027 GST accounting period.
If the business files its GST return on 20 April 2027, its relevant invoice data must generally be submitted by 20 April 2027.
If it has not filed earlier, the normal GST return deadline for that period is 30 April 2027.
This means GST InvoiceNow does not universally require every invoice to be reported immediately after issuance.
7. How Is Invoice Data Transmitted Through InvoiceNow?
Businesses generally use an InvoiceNow-Ready Solution to prepare and transmit the prescribed information.
The process typically involves:
Creating or recording an invoice in the accounting system.
Capturing the required supplier, customer and transaction fields.
Applying the appropriate GST classifications.
Generating the prescribed electronic data.
Submitting invoice information through the InvoiceNow network.
Monitoring submission results and correcting errors.
Businesses using customised ERP systems may need an IMDA-accredited Access Point Provider.
A supplier's submission does not necessarily replace the buyer's separate purchase-data submission obligation.
Purchase information can contain additional details, such as the input tax amount the buyer intends to claim.
8. How Can Businesses Prepare Their Accounting Software?
Businesses should review whether their current accounting system captures accurate invoice data and supports GST InvoiceNow reporting.
A practical checklist includes:
Verify supplier and customer information.
Maintain accurate GST registration numbers.
Use consistent invoice numbering.
Record the correct GST categories.
Check taxable values and tax calculations.
Maintain credit note and adjustment records.
Select an InvoiceNow-Ready Solution.
Test invoice data submissions before the mandatory deadline.
Accounting software such as Vinimay provides general invoicing, customer records, purchase tracking and financial reporting features that can help organise transaction information.
However, Vinimay's Singapore GST InvoiceNow compliance, Peppol connectivity and IRAS reporting capabilities have not been independently verified. Businesses should confirm these capabilities before relying on it for mandatory invoice data submission.
The most important preparation step is maintaining complete, accurate transaction information that can be transmitted according to IRAS requirements.
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Published by Satyam mahajan
Our editorial and compliance specialists create practical guides, tax calculation rules, and operational strategies to empower Indian small business owners and accountants.
