Q1. What is InvoiceNow?
InvoiceNow is Singapore’s nationwide e-invoicing network that allows businesses to send and receive invoices directly through their accounting or finance systems. It is built on the international Peppol standard and supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Instead of exchanging PDF invoices via email, InvoiceNow enables structured invoice data to flow securely from the sender’s system to the recipient’s system through the Peppol network. This reduces manual data entry, speeds up processing, and improves accuracy.
With InvoiceNow, businesses can:
Send e-invoices directly to customers on the network
Receive supplier e-invoices straight into their system
Reduce manual processing and errors
Improve invoice turnaround time and visibility
InvoiceNow is primarily designed for business-to-business (B2B) invoice exchange and forms the foundation for more advanced compliance workflows such as GST InvoiceNow.
Q2. What is GST InvoiceNow?
GST InvoiceNow is an extension of the InvoiceNow network that enables businesses to transmit selected invoice data directly to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for GST reporting purposes.
While standard InvoiceNow focuses on exchanging invoices between businesses, GST InvoiceNow adds a regulatory reporting layer. When enabled, relevant invoice information is securely submitted to IRAS through the Peppol network, helping to streamline GST compliance and reduce manual reporting.
GST InvoiceNow supports:
Automated submission of invoice data to IRAS
Improved GST reporting accuracy
Reduced manual preparation for GST filing
Better audit readiness and data traceability
GST InvoiceNow builds on the same Peppol infrastructure as InvoiceNow, but includes additional authorization and validation steps to support tax reporting requirements.
Q3. Who are the key parties in the network?
Seller: The business that issues the invoice. The seller generates the e-invoice from its accounting or finance system and initiates the transmission through the network.
Buyer: The business that receives the invoice. The buyer’s system receives the structured invoice data directly through the network for processing.
InvoiceNow-Ready Solution Provider (IRSP): The IRSP is the software provider that enables businesses to send, receive, and manage e-invoices within their accounting or finance system. The IRSP handles the technical integration and user experience, so businesses do not need to manage Peppol connectivity themselves.
Access Point (Peppol Access Point Provider): Access Points are certified network gateways that route e-invoice data across the Peppol network. Each business connects to the network via an Access Point, typically provisioned automatically through the IRSP.
IRAS (for GST InvoiceNow only): For GST InvoiceNow, selected invoice data is securely transmitted to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to support GST compliance and reporting.
Q4. What can an IRSP do?
Register business users on the Singapore Peppol Directory (SG SMP) via an IMDA-certified Access Point
Send e-invoices through the InvoiceNow network via an IMDA-accredited Access Point
Receive e-invoices directly into the system from trading partners
Capture and maintain Peppol IDs of customers and suppliers for accurate routing
Send and receive invoice responses (e.g., acknowledgements, status updates)
Activate and deactivate GST-registered businesses for IRAS invoice data submission
Extract and package required invoice data according to GST InvoiceNow requirements
Submit relevant invoice data to IRAS via the Access Point securely
Log and track all tax invoice submissions to support reconciliation and auditability
Receive orders, order changes, and order cancellations
Send advanced order responses
Convert orders into invoices within the system
Receive and store order balance information
Q5. How does invoice data flow between the key parties?
The seller creates an e-invoice in its IRSP, and the invoice is automatically transmitted via the seller’s Access Point through the InvoiceNow network to the buyer’s Access Point and IRSP. For GST InvoiceNow, selected invoice data is additionally submitted to IRAS through the same secure network.
The connectivity between the seller/buyer and the Access Point is fully provisioned and managed by the IRSP. Sellers/buyers do not need to maintain a direct relationship with the Access Point.
