Sri Lanka Postpones New Tax Invoice Format and
Specification Requirements

The Sri Lanka Inland Revenue has issued a notice informing VAT-registered persons that the effective date for the new tax invoice format and technical specification requirements has been postponed. Originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, the mandate will now start on April 1, 2026.

• Regulatory Basis: Under Section 20 of the VAT Act No. 14 of 2002, the Commissioner General had specified the mandatory format for tax invoices in an extraordinary gazette notification.
• Reason for Postponement: Following requests from numerous VAT-registered businesses regarding implementation challenges, the authorities have granted an additional three-month transition period to ensure compliance.
• Mandate: The updated regulations standardize the format and specific data elements that must be present on every tax invoice issued by registered persons.