The free option: MyInvois portal
LHDN provides a free web portal at MyInvois where any Malaysian business can submit e-invoices. It works, and for businesses submitting a handful of invoices per month, it may be all you need. The MyInvois Portal guide covers logging in and submitting step by step.
Here's what the portal offers:
- Manual e-invoice submission — fill in the required fields per invoice, drawn from LHDN's list of 55 data fields
- Batch upload — several e-invoices at once, by uploading LHDN's pre-defined Excel spreadsheet. The MyInvois Portal FAQ sets its own limits for that spreadsheet — up to 100 documents and 25MB per Excel file, and up to 100 draft documents per upload (Questions 25 and 26; see the portal guide); separately, MyInvois system limits cap a submission at 100 e-invoices, 5MB and 300KB per e-invoice (Specific Guideline section 3.6.4), which also apply to API submissions; whether batching is automated depends on the integration.
- Mobile app — Submit from your phone
- Status tracking — View whether your invoices were validated or rejected
- Document search — Look up previously submitted invoices
It's a solid baseline tool built by LHDN for universal access.
Comparing workflows
As invoice volume increases, the portal's manual workflow can become more burdensome:
1. Customer and product details
Each invoice uses details from LHDN's list of 55 data fields. The portal's Copy as Draft feature can reuse details from an earlier document submitted through the portal or mobile app (Portal FAQ, Question 33). When comparing tools, consider how often your team needs to enter and check customer and product details.
If you invoice the same customers regularly, their TIN, BRN, address and contact details come up again on every document.
2. Tracking deadlines
The portal shows document status. Consider how you will track the applicable 72-hour cancellation and rejection windows, especially when you handle many documents.
For businesses submitting multiple invoices per day, this is a significant compliance risk.
3. Internet-dependent workflow
The portal and MyInvois app are online services. If your connection is interrupted while you are preparing a document, check the saved draft before continuing. E-invoicing when MyInvois is down covers what to do when the system itself is unavailable.
4. Reporting
The portal lets you review document information and status. If you need revenue reports or summaries for a particular period, compare the reporting tools available to you.
5. Connecting your workflow
Consider how you will keep invoicing information aligned with your customer records, product list and accounts. An integrated workflow can reduce repeated entry, but the available connections differ between tools.
What third-party apps add
Some third-party apps connect to MyInvois through its API and offer additional workflow tools. Features, availability and plan terms vary between providers.
Customer and product records
Saved customer and product records can reduce repeated entry when you prepare invoices. Compare how an app lets you create, update and reuse those records.
The 72-hour window
A clear validation status and deadline can help a team see when cancellation may still be available. Compare how the app shows that information and what actions it supports.
Submission status and automation
Status checks can help you follow a submission until processing is complete. Some apps automate checks or other steps; confirm whether monitoring continues when the app is closed and what you must do if a submission remains unresolved.
Rejection messages
Useful explanations can help you identify a rejected field or common problem and correct the document. Compare the detail provided and whether the app helps you review recurring errors.
Reporting
Reports can help you review invoiced amounts and document statuses over time. Compare the figures, date ranges and plan terms, and check whether the reports use the same basis as your accounts.
CSV import and export
CSV import can reduce setup work when moving customer or product records from a spreadsheet. Export can make it easier to share invoice or customer data with an accountant. Check which data and file formats the app supports and which features are included in your plan.
When the portal is enough
The free MyInvois portal may be sufficient if:
- You submit only a small number of invoices each month
- You have few repeat customers (so re-entering details is not a major burden)
- You're comfortable manually tracking 72-hour deadlines
- You are comfortable keeping invoicing separate from your books
- You're a sole proprietor with simple invoicing needs
When you need more
Consider a third-party app if:
- You are invoicing frequently enough that repeated data entry is a real cost
- You invoice the same customers repeatedly
- You want validated status tracked against each invoice, not in a spreadsheet
- You want invoicing and your accounting records in the same system, rather than in two places
- You need to export data for your accountant or tax advisor
- You have a team that needs shared access to invoicing
Using both together
You can use a third-party app for your workflow and refer to the MyInvois Portal when needed. Check which documents and actions are available in each tool for your submission channel and user access.
The question isn't whether the portal works — it does. The question is whether it's efficient enough for your volume and workflow. If you are weighing up software, choosing accounting software in Malaysia covers what to compare; if you are still working out whether e-invoicing applies to you, start with the complete guide to e-invoicing in Malaysia.