In May 2026, LHDN asked taxpayers to start requesting e-invoices whenever they buy something they plan to claim as tax relief. It sounds like one more chore at the cashier. In practice it can make next year's e-Filing faster, and it does not make your normal receipts worthless. Here is what changed and what to do.
What LHDN announced
LHDN is running a pilot to pre-fill tax relief amounts in the income tax return for Year of Assessment (YA) 2026, the return you file in 2027. If a purchase has an e-invoice issued in your name, LHDN can see it and fill the relief in for you instead of you typing it in (Free Malaysia Today, RinggitPlus).
The categories named so far include:
- Lifestyle and tech: smartphones, tablets, computers and laptops, home internet, books and e-books
- Children and education: registered childcare and kindergarten fees, tertiary and upskilling course fees
- Insurance and savings: life, medical and education insurance, family takaful, PRS contributions, SSPN deposits
LHDN has said other relief categories may follow. Treat the list as a starting point, not the final scope.
What you need to give the shop
Under LHDN's e-invoice specific guideline, Malaysian individuals can give their MyKad number instead of their TIN (or both) when requesting an e-invoice. The seller also needs your full name, address and contact number. You usually enter these at the counter or in the shop's e-invoice form (often a QR code on the receipt).
- Request it for the person who will claim. A phone bought for your own lifestyle relief should be invoiced to you, not to a family member.
- Do it within the shop's deadline. Many receipts give a short window to request the e-invoice (often 72 hours or the end of the month). Miss it and you are back to the paper receipt.
Is it compulsory?
No. It is encouraged, not required. Since 1 September 2026, businesses with annual revenue below RM3 million are generally exempt from issuing e-invoices, subject to conditions (for example, revenue of related companies counts), and many choose to issue them anyway. So a shop may or may not offer one. When it doesn't, your normal receipt or invoice is still valid for the tax relief claim.
| e-Invoice | Normal receipt | |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory for you? | No | No |
| Valid proof for a relief claim? | Yes | Yes |
| May be pre-filled by LHDN from YA 2026? | Yes, for pilot categories | No |
| Where it is stored | MyInvois Portal, searchable only for the past 2 years, in 31-day windows | Wherever you keep it |
Where to see your e-invoices
You can review e-invoices issued to you in LHDN's MyInvois Portal. But the portal's document search only reaches back 2 years (MyInvois Portal FAQ), while LHDN can ask for records for up to 7 years. So keep your own copy. The portal also only covers purchases where an e-invoice was actually issued.
The gap e-invoices don't close
Even with the pilot, most people will end up with a mix: some e-invoices, many ordinary receipts, a few PDF invoices from online stores. If LHDN asks you to prove a claim, you need all of them, kept for seven years (see tax relief receipts to collect before 31 December).
A simple routine covers both:
- Scan each relief-related receipt on the day you get it.
- Put relief items in their own category or ledger so they are easy to find in March.
- Note which purchases also have an e-invoice, so you know which ones LHDN may pre-fill.
SnapBill stores each receipt you snap, reads every line and sorts it into categories, so a bill that mixes claimable and non-claimable items (a laptop and a mouse pad, say) still shows exactly what you bought. Whether an item qualifies for relief is still yours to check. Start free on iPhone, Android or the web. Download SnapBill
Quick answers
Do I need an e-invoice to claim lifestyle relief?
No. An e-invoice can help LHDN pre-fill your claim from YA 2026, but a normal receipt remains valid.
What do I give the cashier?
Your MyKad number (you can give it instead of your TIN), plus your full name, address and contact number.
The shop says it can't issue an e-invoice. Is that a problem?
No. Businesses under RM3 million in annual revenue are generally exempt, subject to conditions. Keep the normal receipt.
When does pre-filling start?
The pilot covers YA 2026, so it affects the return you file in 2027. For the tax changes expected a year later, see what Budget 2027 changes.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not tax advice. LHDN's e-invoice rules are still being phased in; check the latest guidance on the LHDN website before you rely on a detail. SnapBill is not a licensed tax advisor.