GST Refund

GST Refund

Claim GST Refund Process | GST Claim Services by ASC Group

GST paid is more than the GST liability in a situation of claim GST refund rises. Under GST the procedure of claiming a refund is standardized to evade confusion. The procedure of claim GST refund is online and time limits have also been set for the same. 

Scenarios in which a taxpayer can claim refund under GST in India

GST refund is the process through which a taxpayer can claim a refund of the GST paid by them on the supply of goods and services.

There are several scenarios in which a taxpayer can claim a GST refund in India, such as:

  1. Exports: When a taxpayer exports goods or services, they can claim a refund of the GST paid on the inputs used in the production or supply of the exported goods or services.
  2. Inverted duty structure: When the GST paid on inputs is more than the GST paid on the final product, a taxpayer can claim a refund of the excess GST paid.
  3. Deemed exports: When a taxpayer supplies goods to a recipient who is eligible for a refund of the GST paid on such supplies, the taxpayer can claim a refund of the GST paid on such supplies.
  4. Refund of excess payment: When a taxpayer pays excess GST by mistake or due to any other reason, they can claim a refund of the excess payment.

To claim a GST refund in India, the taxpayer must file an application in the prescribed format on the GST portal within the stipulated time period. The application must be supported by relevant documents, such as invoices, shipping bills, and bank statements.

The GST authorities will process the refund claim and may undertake a scrutiny to verify the eligibility of the taxpayer for the refund. Upon verification, the refund amount will be credited to the taxpayer's bank account electronically.

Essentials of GST Refund:

  • The Refund provision relating to refund in the GST law help to reorganize and standardize the refund processes.
  • Under GST the procedure of claiming a refund is uniform to avoid confusion, so when the GST paid is more than the GST liability a situation of appealing a GST refund arises.
  • The refund procedure helps simplify the trade through the release of blocked funds for various use such as working capital, expansion, and modernization of existing business. 
  • Once it is identified that there is a case for claim GST refund then one has to file for the claim through GST Refund Form RFD-01. 
  • The form if possible should be prepared by a certified Chartered Accountant and this GST claim needs to be made within 2 years of the “relevant date” of the GST refund application. 
  • There are various cases under which a refund can be claimed like a tax refund to international tourists, a refund in case of taxes paid by the Embassy or UN bodies, a refund at the finalization of provisional assessment, etc.

A refund can be appealed in Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the given Circumstances:

  • Export of Goods or Services comprising deemed export.
  • Refund of Unutilized Input Tax Credit.
  • Refund from Manufacturing / Generation/ Production of tax-free supplies.
  • Excess payment due to mistake and inadvertence.
  • Finalization of Provisional Assessment.
  • Refund for Tax payment on transactions by UN bodies, CSD Canteens, Para-military forces canteens, etc.
  • Repayment of pre-deposit in case of Appeal.

Process of filing GST Refund

In India, the process for filing GST refund claims can be broadly divided into the following steps:

  1. Eligibility: The taxpayer should first ensure that they are eligible to claim a GST refund as per the GST laws and regulations.
  2. Preparation of documents: The taxpayer should prepare all the necessary documents such as invoices, shipping bills, bank statements, and any other supporting documents required for claiming the GST refund.
  3. Filing of refund application: The taxpayer should file the GST refund application on the GST portal in the prescribed format within the stipulated time period.
  4. Verification: The GST authorities will scrutinize the refund application and may seek additional information or documents to verify the eligibility of the taxpayer for the refund.
  5. Approval: Upon verification, if the GST authorities are satisfied with the refund claim, they will approve the refund and credit the refund amount to the taxpayer's bank account electronically.

Note: The order for processing GST refund claims may differ depending on the type of refund claim, such as exports, inverted duty structure, or deemed exports. The taxpayer should also ensure that they comply with all the GST laws and regulations while claiming a GST refund to avoid any penalties or legal issues.

How ASC Helps?

  • Assistance in the calculation, review, and submission of the claim to the concerned jurisdiction.
  • Assistance in obtaining clarification from the department wherever possible for the clients.
  • Helping in making responses to departmental queries or audits that may be conducted.
  • Assistance in succeeding follow-up with the GST department that may be needed in order to get the refund.
  • Assistance in filing appeals in case the refund is denied or no action is taken up by the concerned authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q
How to claim GST refund? What is the form applicable for filing a GST refund application?
A

GST refund application should be filed in GST RFD-01. It is an entirely online process and all the relevant documents shall be uploaded online. After filing the refund application, an acknowledgment shall be generated in Form GST RFD-02. Once the application is scrutinized by the department, it will be sanctioned by issuing of sanction order in Form GST RFD-06. Thereafter, a payment order will be issued in Form GST RFD-05 leading to payment of a refund.

Q
How much time does it take to issue a GST refund?
A

If there are no queries pertaining to your GST refund, then your GST refund application shall be processed and sanctioned within 60 days of filing the application. Therefore, the GST refund time limit is anywhere between 30 days to 60 days.

Q
What is a provisional refund under GST?
A

Often, GST refund gets delayed due to procedural aspects. As the money is blocked into the system, it creates short-term hardships for the taxpayers. Therefore, the government has introduced the concept of provisional refunds for GST whereby a refund is released by the department temporarily up to 90% before the scrutiny of documents and related records gets completed. Provisional refunds are applicable in the case of zero-rated supplies. That includes exports of goods or services or supplies made to Special Economic Zone Developers or Units. Provisional refunds shall be issued in Form RFD-04 within 7 days after the issue of acknowledgment in Form RFD-02.

Q
What is the time limit for filing a GST refund application online?
A

A person seeking a refund of GST shall file the GST refund application before the expiry of 2 years from the relevant date as is mentioned in Explanation to Section 54 of the CGST Act.

Q
Is there a minimum threshold amount for claiming a GST refund?
A

Yes. GST refunds cannot be claimed if the amount of the refund is less than Rs. 1000.

Q
What is GST refund?
A

GST refund is the process through which a taxpayer can claim a refund of the GST paid by them on the supply of goods and services.

Q
What are the different scenarios in which a taxpayer can claim a GST refund?
A

The different scenarios in which a taxpayer can claim a GST refund are exports, inverted duty structure, deemed exports, and refund of excess payment.

Q
What are the documents required for filing a GST refund claim?
A

The documents required for filing a GST refund claim include invoices, shipping bills, bank statements, and any other supporting documents required for claiming the GST refund.

Q
What happens if a GST refund claim is rejected?
A

If a GST refund claim is rejected, the taxpayer can file an appeal against the decision of the GST authorities within the stipulated time period.

Q
Is there any penalty for late filing of GST refund claims?
A

Yes, there is a penalty for late filing of GST refund claims. The penalty is 1% of the refund amount or Rs. 10,000, whichever is higher.

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