“Eh boss, need to e-Invoice ke?”
That innocent question is now causing sleepless nights across the SME community.

The new e-Invoice implementation dates are out. LHDN has given more time to some. But I don’t agree with the direction. Why?

Because I know Malaysians.

We are Olympic-level procrastinators — road tax, passport renewal, polis summon, LHDN filing… all last-minute.

Even me, a licensed tax agent, submitted my personal tax return on the deadline night, coffee in one hand and regrets in the other.

So when SME bosses say, “Tak ready lah,” I understand. But that doesn’t mean I support giving more breathing room.

The Updated Timeline (as of June 2025)

• Phase 3 – starts 1 July 2025
  For businesses with annual turnover above RM5 million and up to RM25 million
  (Previously, the threshold was RM500,000)
• Phase 4 – starts 1 January 2026
  For businesses with annual turnover above RM1 million and up to RM5 million
• Phase 5 – starts 1 July 2026
  For businesses with annual turnover up to RM1 million
  (Previously, the threshold was RM500,000)

Over the past few months, I’ve been checking with SME clients — especially those in Phase 3. I ask: “Started preparing for e-Invoice?”

Real-life answers:
“Wait until change of government lah 😆 .”
“Business small, no need right?”
“My accountant left since CNY.”
“No budget for new system.”
“We wait and see lah. Maybe postpone again 🤪 .”

These are not jokes. These are real responses.
Some still think e-Invoice is optional. Others treat it like GST 😛 — hoping it’ll go away. But this is not a test run. It’s a permanent shift.

What to do now?
✅ Confirm your 2022 revenue
✅ Know your timeline
✅ Review your accounting setup (Excel won’t cut it)
✅ Talk to your accountant or tax agent
✅ Check with your software provider
✅ Start testing via MyInvois sandbox

Yes, the dates are revised.
But I disagree with the idea of buying more time.
It encourages waiting mode when we should be preparing.
So stop hoping.
Start acting.
Because when IRB comes knocking, “I didn’t know” won’t protect you.