SST8 min read

SST Invoice Requirements in Malaysia (2025)

Everything Malaysian business owners need to know about SST — who must register, what fields are mandatory on SST invoices, and how to correctly charge and display Service Tax and Sales Tax.

Key update March 2024: Service Tax was increased from 6% to 8% effective 1 March 2024. Sales Tax rates remain at 5% and 10%.

What is SST?

SST (Sales and Service Tax) replaced GST in Malaysia on 1 September 2018. It is a two-tier tax system:

Service Tax

8%

(increased from 6% on 1 March 2024)

Applied to taxable services provided by SST-registered businesses. Examples: IT services, consulting, hospitality, F&B with turnover > RM500k.

Sales Tax

5% or 10%

depending on goods category

Applied at the manufacturing or import stage on taxable goods. 10% for most goods, 5% for food, certain building materials, and petroleum products.

Who must register for SST?

Service Tax registration

You must register for Service Tax if you provide taxable services and your annual taxable turnover exceeds RM 500,000. Once registered, you must charge 8% Service Tax on all your taxable services.

Common taxable services in Malaysia

IT and software development
Management consulting
Accounting and bookkeeping
Legal services
Architecture and engineering
Food & beverage (turnover > RM500k)
Telecommunications
Security services
Employment agencies
Credit card services

Not sure if your service is taxable? Check the full list on the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) website at customs.gov.my or consult a registered tax agent.

Mandatory fields on SST invoices

Once you are SST-registered, your invoices must include additional fields beyond a standard commercial invoice:

SST registration number

Your unique SST registration number issued by RMCD. Format: W10-xxxx-xxxxxxxx (Service Tax) or A10-xxxx-xxxxxxxx (Sales Tax).

Description of taxable supply

Clear description of the service or goods, indicating whether it is subject to SST.

Taxable amount

The amount before SST is applied. Must be shown separately from the SST amount.

SST rate

The applicable rate (8% for Service Tax; 5% or 10% for Sales Tax).

SST amount

The tax amount in MYR. Must be shown as a separate line item, not lumped into the total.

Total amount payable

The grand total including SST.

Example SST invoice layout

ACME CONSULTING SDN BHD

SST Registration No: W10-2312-12345678

TAX INVOICE

Invoice No: INV-2025-089 | Date: 15 April 2025

IT Consulting Services (March 2025)RM 5,000.00
SubtotalRM 5,000.00
Service Tax (8%)RM 400.00
Total PayableRM 5,400.00

SST filing and remittance

SST is filed and remitted to RMCD every 2 months (bi-monthly). The filing periods are:

Period 1

Jan – Feb

Period 2

Mar – Apr

Period 3

May – Jun

Period 4

Jul – Aug

Period 5

Sep – Oct

Period 6

Nov – Dec

SST returns must be filed and payment made within one month after the end of each taxable period. Late filing incurs penalties.

SST handled automatically

InvoiceLah calculates SST, formats your invoices correctly, and keeps your SST registration number on file — free forever.

Related guides

Invoice Generator Malaysia — Free Invoicing for Freelancers | InvoiceLah