To meet the GST InvoiceNow requirement you need an InvoiceNow-Ready Solution — software accredited by IMDA, or a connection through an accredited access point. IMDA publishes the official list, and many packages are free for SMEs until 31 March 2031.
The honest headline: for a lot of businesses this costs nothing. The decision is not really about price. It is about whether you want a connector bolted onto what you already run, or a system that handles invoicing as part of everything else.
The three kinds of option
- 1A free connector — IMDA/IRAS free packages until March 2031.
- 2Your existing accounting software, InvoiceNow-enabled
- 3A platform where invoicing is one part of the system
None of these is the right answer in general.
What to check before committing
Is it on IMDA’s accredited list, today?
“Peppol-ready” and “InvoiceNow-ready” are not the same thing. Check the official IMDA list, not the vendor’s marketing page.
Does it handle what you actually invoice?
Several transaction types are excluded from the InvoiceNow requirement, including point-of-sale supplies. Make sure the solution covers your in-scope transactions.
Can it receive as well as send?
InvoiceNow is a two-way network. Receiving e-invoices from suppliers matters as much as sending them.
Does it validate?
Can it catch wrongful GST charges from non-registered suppliers before you claim input tax?
What happens after March 2031?
Free packages have an end date. Know what the pricing looks like afterwards.
How long does onboarding take?
Start well before your wave. Support queues will not get shorter closer to each deadline.
Claim the grant
| Business | Grant |
|---|---|
| SMEs | Up to S$1,000 |
| Larger businesses | Up to S$5,000 |
Where Critical Mass Cloud fits
Third kind of option. Critical Mass Cloud handles InvoiceNow as part of its accounting module, alongside GST returns, HR and payroll with CPF and IRAS filing, and e-signatures — one Singapore-native platform rather than several stitched together.
Being straight about it: if e-invoicing is the only thing you need, take a free accredited solution. Critical Mass Cloud is worth looking at if invoicing sits alongside payroll, CPF, IR8A, GST returns and signed documents — and you would rather those were one system with one login than four that need reconciling.
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Start trialQuestions
Do I have to pay for an InvoiceNow-Ready Solution?
No. Free packages are available until March 2031.
What is an access point?
A Peppol network accredited service.
Can I switch solutions later?
Yes, though it means re-onboarding.
My accounting software says it is “Peppol-ready”. Is that the same?
Not necessarily. Check IMDA’s list.
When is my deadline?
Depends on registration and supplies. See our guide on InvoiceNow deadlines.