Singapore’s push towards digitalization was evidenced by the launch of its e-invoicing standard framework in 2018. Singapore was the first country outside Europe to adopt PEPPOL. The PEPPOL Business Interoperability Specifications (BIS) for e-invoicing and the PEPPOL eDelivery Network have been live since 2019.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has announced the implementation of a phased adoption of InvoiceNow, the national e-invoicing framework based on the PEPPOL network, for invoicing data transmission. It will start voluntarily for GST-registered businesses in May 2025. The mandate will only cover B2B transactions; the government is expected to make B2G mandatory in the coming years.
Bookmark this page and revisit it often to stay on top of upcoming obligations.
Network
InvoiceNow
Format
Currently both Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) and Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT are allowed; PEPPOL PINT will be used exclusively from 2025.
eSignature Requirement
Ensuring integrity and authenticity is required, an e-signature is one method of assurance.
Archiving Requirement
Five years
Network
InvoiceNow.
Format
Currently both Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) and Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT are allowed; PEPPOL PINT will be used exclusively from 2025.
eSignature Requirement
Ensuring integrity and authenticity is required, an e-signature is one method of assurance.
Archiving Requirement
Five years.
Currently, there is no mandate for using e-invoices in Singapore. However, taxpayers can connect to the PEPPOL network to send and receive e-invoices. Singapore’s IMDA is a PEPPOL authority and, as such, those who choose to send invoices electronically through the InvoiceNow network must meet the format requirements:
Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) or Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT, though the latter will become the only applicable format from 2025.
Singapore is implementing a CTC reporting mandate, utilizing the nation’s InvoiceNow PEPPOL framework. The implementation of this mandate sees a move away from a PEPPOL 4 corner model, instead adopting a PEPPOL 5 corner model with taxpayers transmitting invoice data to the IRAS, the nation’s tax authority.
Invoice data from both sales and purchases needs to be reported to the tax authority. Reporting requirements for “PEPPOL e-invoices” is real-time. For invoices issued outside InvoiceNow (“solution extracted invoices”), reporting is within a specific deadline with weekly submission recommended, no later than the return due date.
Accredited Access Points (AP) are the only parties allowed to submit invoice data to IRAS using C5 API – Sovos is an accredited AP in Singapore.
The implementation of this e-reporting obligation is included in the implementation timeline below.
Singapore’s IMDA became the first PEPPOL Authority outside of Europe
The nation’s e-invoicing network, later named InvoiceNow, launched
Singapore launches Registration Grant to incentivise businesses to join the network
B2B e-reporting is implemented for voluntary early adoption by GST-registered businesses
B2B e-reporting is implemented for newly incorporated companies that register for GST voluntarily
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) became the first PEPPOL Authority outside of Europe in May 2018. Later, it launched its e-invoicing network with an initial 11 Access Point providers.
The network is established on the PEPPOL framework, helping businesses exchange documents electronically. As a PEPPOL Authority, IMDA can:
Find out more about PEPPOL in Sovos’ definitive E-invoicing Guide.
Businesses in Singapore are encouraged to use e-invoices, but it has yet to become mandatory.
Invoices in Singapore require information such as:
PEPPOL is a standard for sending electronic invoices to public sector clients (in other words, for B2G transactions) throughout the EU – and beyond. Singapore was the first PEPPOL-approved authority outside of Europe.
Singapore’s InvoiceNow e-invoicing framework is based on the PEPPOL network.
Yes, Sovos is an IMDA-certified PEPPOL service provider in Singapore. Our regulatory experts can connect to the InvoiceNow network on your behalf.