PETALING JAYA: The rollout of the e-invoicing scheme got off to a bumpy start as companies complained about delays getting into the Inland Revenue Board’s (LHDN) MyInvois system.

The reason was due to the overwhelming response MyInvois received, with more than 520,000 submissions as of noon yesterday, according to the LHDN.

“As of 12pm this afternoon, records showed that successful submissions were more than 520,000 and that MyInvois is ready for use by consumers,” the LHDN said in a statement.

“The implementation of the mandatory e-invoicing for companies with annual turnover of more than RM100mil on Aug 1 marks a new era in digitalising and empowering the nation’s tax system.”

A managing partner of an accounting firm in Melaka, known only as Lee, said his clients who were in the first batch to test the system had reported that some of their transactions did not go through.

“Many of my clients in the first batch were not yet fully ready for the e-invoicing rollout as software providers were overwhelmed with the high demand,” he said.

Most of his clients’ software providers are in the final stages of integrating the companies’ systems with the requirements of MyInvois.

“Many off-the-shelf software providers had only released their e-invoicing modules within the past few days, thus contributing to the challenges our clients faced,” he said.

The first phase of e-invoicing began yesterday, involving some 5,000 companies in the country with an with annual revenue of more than RM100mil.

Phase 2 will begin on Jan 1 next year for companies with annual earnings between RM25mil and RM100mil.

All other businesses including micro, small and medium enterprises are expected to follow suit from July 1, 2025, except for those with annual earnings below RM150,000.

It was previously reported that MyInvois could process submissions and approvals of e-invoices in under two seconds.

Account assistant Nur Syafiah Muhamad Taufik, who works at PA Food Sdn Bhd, a middle-tier SME that manufactures and exports frozen food, trying out the MyInvois portal as a voluntary start at her office. (August 1 2024) — ART CHEN/The Star Reporter ALLISON

In response to these complaints, LHDN suggested that users re-log into the system and periodically clear their browser caches.

LHDN said it is committed to overcoming problems and complaints during this transition period.

A plastics manufacturing company director who wanted to remain anonymous, said his company decided to shut down its accounting system to upgrade its software to make it ready for e-invoicing.

“I noticed some teething issues related to me by my peers. Things like this are common whenever we implement something new. I hope they will be manageable on my side later.

“We can only see the how things will work out when our system resumes on Monday,” he said.

A manager of a trading firm in Shah Alam, known only as Low, said her company is still getting their system ready.

“We are not issuing e-invoices today (yesterday) because we are not ready. Maybe we will start tomorrow or later,” she said, adding that the shift to e-invoicing did not significantly affect her company’s operations.

She said the six-month transition period provided by LHDN was a big help for companies to shift to adapt to MyInvois.

Those with any inquiries on MyInvois can call LHDN’s 24-hour hotline at 03-8682 8000, or contact MyInvois Live Chat, myinvois@hasil.gov.my or https://feedback.myinvois.hasil.gov.my.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/02/myinvois-faces-glitches-on-first-day