Singapore · Guide
What a tax invoice must show in Singapore (2026)
Only a GST-registered business can issue a tax invoice, and it must be issued within 30 days. It needs the words "tax invoice", an identifying number, the date, your name, address and GST registration number, your customer's name and address, a description, amounts excluding GST, the GST rate and amount, and the total including GST. Up to $1,000 including GST you may issue a simplified tax invoice instead.
The Singapore maker applies these rules and checks your document as you type.
Which document, when
| Document | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Tax invoice | GST-registered supplier to GST-registered customer; issue within 30 days of time of supply. Not needed for zero-rated, exempt, deemed supplies or non-GST-registered customers. Must NOT be issued if not GST-registered, under Gross Margin Scheme, or in self-billing as supplier. |
| Simplified tax invoice | Option where GST-inclusive total does not exceed $1,000 |
| Receipt | May be issued instead of a tax invoice to non-GST-registered customers; must be issued if requested |
What each document must show
Tax invoice
- The words 'tax invoice' in a prominent place
- Identifying number (e.g. invoice number)
- Date of issue
- Supplier name, address and GST registration number
- Customer name and address
- Description sufficient to identify goods/services and type of supply
- Per item: quantity or extent, and amount payable excluding GST
- Any cash discount offered
- Total amount payable excluding GST, GST rate, and total GST chargeable shown separately
- Total amount payable including GST
- Breakdown of exempt, zero-rated or other supplies
- Foreign-currency local sales: totals excl GST, GST, and incl GST converted to SGD
Simplified tax invoice
- Supplier name, address and GST registration number
- Identifying number
- Date of issue
- Description of goods or services
- Total amount payable including tax
- The words 'Price Payable includes GST'
Receipt
- Serially printed
- Supplier name and GST registration number
- Date of receipt
- Total amount payable including total GST
- The words 'Price payable includes GST'
If you are not registered for GST
Only GST-registered businesses can charge GST; a tax invoice must not be issued if not registered; GST only charged on sales on/after effective registration date.
Tax rates
GST 9%, Zero-rated 0%, Exempt (no GST)
Tax numbers
| Number | Format | Check |
|---|---|---|
| GST registration number | As issued by IRAS; the format is not published (IRAS examples look like M2-1234567-K, and many businesses use their UEN) | Not checked. |
How long to keep invoices
5 years, according to IRAS.
E-invoicing
2025-11-01: Newly incorporated companies voluntarily registering for GST. 2026-04-01: All new voluntary GST registrants. 2028-04-01: All new compulsory registrants; existing businesses with annual supplies <= $200,000. 2029-04-01: Existing businesses with supplies <= $1,000,000. 2030-04-01: Existing businesses with supplies <= $4,000,000. 2031-04-01: Existing businesses with supplies > $4,000,000.
Quotes and receipts
Quotes: No requirement found. Receipts: GST-registered businesses must issue receipts if requested.
Not yet confirmed
We could not confirm these points on an official page, so Papertern does not rely on them: GST registration number format and UEN relationship; Checksum; InvoiceNow transaction scope; IRAS invoicing HTML page unreadable (used e-Tax Guide instead); Locale conventions.
Sources
- www.iras.gov.sg/media/docs/default-source/e-tax/etaxguide_gst_gst-general-guide-for-businesses(1).pdf
- www.iras.gov.sg/media/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/gst/etaxguide_gst_invoicenow_requirement.pdf
- www.iras.gov.sg/media/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/pdf/do-you-need-to-register-for-gst_companies.pdf