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← LHDN e-invoice rejection codes: what they mean and how to fix them

LHDN error DR303: the referenced document is invalid or cancelled

Updated 18 October 2026

Short answer

DR303 means the referenced document exists in MyInvois, but its status does not allow it to be referenced, usually because it is Invalid or Cancelled. A note can only adjust a validated e-invoice that is still active. Reference the valid original, or issue a new e-invoice instead of a note.

What LHDN's message says

DR303 (Referenced Documents validator): “The status of referenced document uuid {0} is {1}” Read LHDN's guidance for DR303

What it means

A credit, debit or refund note adjusts an e-invoice that LHDN validated. If that e-invoice was rejected (Invalid) or later cancelled, there is nothing left to adjust, so LHDN refuses the note.

Why it happens

It can follow a correction: the original was cancelled within 72 hours and replaced, but the note still points at the cancelled one.

LHDN lists these causes:

  • The referenced document exists, but its current status does not permit it to be used as a reference document for the submitted e-Invoice.
  • The referenced document might be in Invalid status or has been cancelled.

How to fix it

  1. Check the status of the referenced document in the MyInvois portal.
  2. If it was replaced, reference the replacement e-invoice instead.
  3. If it was cancelled with no replacement, issue a new e-invoice rather than a note.
  4. Submit the corrected document.

LHDN's recommended resolution:

  • Verify the status of the referenced document through MyInvois Portal or Get Document API.
  • Use a valid and active document as the reference.
  • Ensure the referenced document has successfully completed validation before submission.

How envoice handles it

When LHDN rejects a document, envoice shows a Rejection reason box on it. Each line names the field at fault, explains the cause in plain language, gives the fix where envoice knows it, and quotes LHDN's own sentence with a link to LHDN's guidance for that code. The explanation is shown in English or Bahasa Melayu.

For this code, envoice's rejection reason reads: The document this note references is missing, mismatched or already cancelled. Reference the validated original invoice, make sure its UUID and internal number match, and check that it is not cancelled.

Click Fix & resubmit to open the invoice form prefilled from the rejected document, correct the field, and submit it as a new e-invoice. The shop owner also gets one email when a document is rejected, so a rejection is not discovered weeks later. See Why was my document rejected?

Related codes

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Frequently asked questions

What does LHDN error DR303 mean?

DR303 means the referenced document exists in MyInvois, but its status does not allow it to be referenced, usually because it is Invalid or Cancelled. A note can only adjust a validated e-invoice that is still active. Reference the valid original, or issue a new e-invoice instead of a note.

Can I issue a credit note for a cancelled e-invoice?

No. Cancelling already removes the e-invoice, so there is nothing to credit. Issue a new e-invoice if the sale still needs one.

How long do I have to cancel instead of issuing a note?

LHDN lets the supplier cancel a validated e-invoice within 72 hours of validation. After that, corrections are made with credit, debit or refund notes.

Sources