The 2028 InvoiceNow Phase: What Compulsory GST Registrants Must Know

Let’s Be Real About the New IRAS Rules

Whenever the government announces a new mandatory compliance rule, every business owner collectively sighs. I totally get it.

For the past few years, "InvoiceNow" felt like an optional tech upgrade. But the rules have officially changed. IRAS is making the GST InvoiceNow network mandatory for GST-registered businesses, which means you will eventually have to transmit your invoice data directly to the government.  

If you run a smaller business or you are about to hit the threshold for compulsory GST registration, you need to circle April 2028 on your calendar. Here is a completely jargon-free breakdown of what is happening.

The Timeline: When Is It Your Turn?

IRAS isn't forcing everyone to switch overnight and crash the system. They are rolling it out in phases to give everyone time to adapt.  

Here is exactly when you need to be fully set up and using the network:

• April 1, 2028 (The Big SME Deadline): If your business is already GST-registered and makes S$200,000 or less in annual supplies, this is your deadline. It is also the deadline for all new compulsory GST registrants.  

• April 1, 2029: Existing businesses making up to S$1 million a year.  

• April 1, 2030: Existing businesses making up to S$4 million a year.  

• April 1, 2031: The final wave for all remaining GST-registered businesses making over S$4 million.  

(Quick note: If you are a brand new business that decided to register for GST voluntarily, your mandate actually already started!)

What Exactly is GST InvoiceNow?

You might be thinking, "Wait, hasn't InvoiceNow been around for a while?"

Yes, it has. But there is a massive difference between the old InvoiceNow and the new GST InvoiceNow mandate.

The original InvoiceNow was simply a network for you to send an e-invoice directly into your client's accounting software. GST InvoiceNow changes the game entirely. Under this new rule, when you send an invoice through the network using an approved solution, the prescribed invoice data is also transmitted directly to IRAS for tax administration. You are essentially submitting your tax data as you do business.  

Claim Your Subsidy Before the Rush

April 2028 might feel like it is ages away, but migrating your accounting software and getting your official Peppol ID takes time.

Right now, the government is actively supporting early adoption. You can tap into a transitional subsidy of up to S$1,000 for SMEs to help offset the operational costs of adopting an InvoiceNow-Ready Solution. Plus, there are free-of-charge solutions available until March 2031.  

Are you ready for the switch?

Don't scramble at the last minute when the deadlines hit. At Apscom Solutions, we specialize in helping Singaporean SMEs upgrade to IRAS-approved, InvoiceNow-Ready software like SQL Account. Reach out to our team today, let's secure that subsidy, and get your business completely compliant without the stress!

For a visual walkthrough of what this means for your daily operations, this GST InvoiceNow Requirement Guide breaks down the entire implementation timeline directly from the source.