Singapore: InvoiceNow Project for Electronic Invoicing via Peppol

Electronic invoicing in Singapore

Singapore launched its national e-invoicing network in 2019, based on the Peppol infrastructure, making it the first country outside Europe to use the European network to exchange e-invoices between private enterprises. In order to promote e-invoicing in Singapore, the body responsible for the country's e-invoicing system, Infocomm Media Development Authority, or IMDA, launched InvoiceNow, a series of initiatives including financial compensation for companies adopting e-invoicing.  

The country's Peppol Authority, IMDA, assigns access points and defines technical specifications for the e-invoicing system. Companies that want to invoice electronically in Singapore must have an accredited access point and an e-invoicing system capable of sending invoices in the Peppol standard.

Public agencies in Singapore can receive electronic invoices via the InvoiceNow platform. Suppliers must send e-invoices to the Peppol identifier of the Accountant-General's Department (AGD). These invoices will be routed to the relevant agencies based on the Business Unit specified in the e-invoices.

To simplify the process and ensure clarity for suppliers, IMDA has centrally registered unique Peppol identifiers for all government agencies. This enables suppliers to send e-invoices directly to government bodies using their unique Peppol identifiers.

Implementation Timeline

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has confirmed the timeline for the new B2B electronic invoicing mandate for registered companies in Singapore.

Companies registered under GST must use the InvoiceNow platform to transmit invoice data directly to the tax authority.

This implementation will take place gradually, in several phases:

• Starting May 1, 2025: Early voluntary adoption by GST-registered companies.
• Starting November 1, 2025: Newly incorporated companies voluntarily registered under GST.
• Starting April 1, 2026: For all new voluntary GST registrants.

How does InvoiceNow work?

InvoiceNow enables the seamless transfer of invoices in a structured format directly from one management system to another, helping businesses cut costs and speed up payment cycles. Built on the Peppol standard, InvoiceNow enhances the potential for automating electronic document management. This means that both small businesses and large enterprises can enjoy smoother invoicing, quicker payments, and reduced invoice processing time—all without manual paperwork.

The InvoiceNow platform will adopt a Peppol 5-corner model (Peppol CTC). Unlike the 4-corner model, where documents are exchanged solely through Access Points, the 5-corner model adds an extra step where Access Points also send documents to the tax platform.

EDICOM is accredited by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) as an Access Point for the Peppol network in Singapore. With our Access Point, you can easily generate the correct InvoiceNow format and automatically send it to both recipients and relevant organizations and authorities worldwide. Invoices will be exchanged in the structured PINT SG format, with a copy also required to be sent to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

The technical specifications for the "Invoice Data Submission Specifications for IRAS GST InvoiceNow Requirement" are now available, enabling service providers and GST-registered businesses to plan and upgrade their systems accordingly.

InvoiceNow Updates

The IMDA has introduced two new types of business documents to the InvoiceNow Network:

• Purchase Order: This enables buyers to send electronic purchase orders directly to suppliers from one system to another, eliminating the need for human intervention. With the order data automatically stored in the supplier’s system, suppliers can easily convert it into an electronic invoice and send it back to the buyer through the network. This streamlines data entry, improves the accuracy of data needed for invoice and purchase order matching, and speeds up processing and payment to suppliers.
• Invoice Response: This document allows buyers to update suppliers on the status of their invoices within the buyer’s system. It keeps suppliers informed about the status of their invoices, reducing the need for follow-ups and minimizing any potential impact on customer satisfaction.

IMDA-accredited Peppol-Ready solution providers offer solutions that connect to the network and support the receipt of these documents

Comply with E-Invoicing in Singapore

EDICOM’s global invoicing platform fully integrates with your ERP, enabling you to send and receive electronic invoices to and from any agency or company in Singapore.

1. EDICOM generates the PINT SG format and sends it to the destination Access Point while simultaneously connecting to IRAS via API to send a copy of the electronic invoice
2. EDICOM can also integrate incoming electronic invoices from other Peppol Access Points directly into your ERP system.

With EDICOM, you can fully automate and digitalize the process of sending and receiving electronic documents with any company in Singapore.

EDICOM's solution does not rely on third parties. All processes are handled on its own cloud-based infrastructure, allowing businesses to operate without needing to install new systems or worry about maintenance.

One of the key advantages of working with a global provider like EDICOM is the ability to centralize all of your electronic communications, regardless of where your company operates.

With EDICOM’s solution, you can be confident that you’re always in compliance with the latest regulations and processes. The platform automatically converts communications into the required formats and standards, following all security and messaging protocols.

Highlight on Key Milestones of Peppol in Singapore

Singapore is continuing its drive to promote e-invoicing with the aim of helping companies improve efficiency, reduce costs, streamline payment cycles, and minimize environmental impact.

Peppol is a set of specifications designed to streamline public procurement processes between companies and governmental bodies regardless of their location or the systems they use. Thanks to its versatility and international scope, it isn’t only being adopted in Europe or the B2G sector but is being used to exchange e-documents between entities of all kinds globally.

1. IMDA became the first Peppol Authority outside of Europe in May 2018. The government of Singapore decided to develop its e-invoicing system using European standards and Peppol infrastructure with the aim of promoting international commerce.
2. The nationwide E-invoicing network was launched in January 2019, with 11 Access Point providers ready to serve the market
3. The Peppol Ready solution accreditation was created in 2019 and more than 50 Peppol-Solution providers were successfully connected to the network by January 2020
4. The Singapore government added a new channel for suppliers to submit e-invoices via the nationwide E-invoicing network in January 2020 and has since become the preferred channel for suppliers.
5. The E-Invoicing Registration Grant was announced in March 2020 to incentivize businesses to join the network before 31 December 2020.
6. The nationwide E-invoicing network was renamed as InvoiceNow in September 2020

Benefits for large businesses

Reduced Manual Work

• Receive invoices in one standard electronic format.
• No capturing and manual processing of invoice data.
• Seamless integration of your ERP system in the Peppol network.

Decreased Error Handling

• Fully automated transmission of invoice data into your ERP system minimizes erroneous entries.
• Significantly decrease the time and effort spend to follow-up and rectify errors later in the process.

New opportunities for vendor management

• Negotiate cash discounts for early payment of invoices, enabled by the ability to process invoices quickly.
• Provide your vendors online with status-updates like received, acknowledged and paid (optional).