CBIC issued new guidelines for GST refunds



Quick Summary
The CBIC has introduced new guidelines to standardise the process for sanctioning, reviewing, and post-auditing GST refund claims. This aims to eliminate confusion caused by differing officer practices and ensure that all refund rejections come with detailed 'speaking orders' explaining the reasoning. The guidelines also outline additional checks for refund applications, particularly for zero-rated supplies and supplies to SEZs, and clarify post-audit procedures for claims exceeding INR 1 lakh.

Recently CBIC has issued detailed guidelines for sanctioning, post-audit and review of refund claims.

Key feature and short summary of the guidelines have been discussed below.

Instruction No. 03/2022-GST dated 14-06-2022.

It has been observed by CBIC that, proper speaking orders have not been issued while issuing the orders for GST refund claims and also currently different GST officers adopted different practices and procedures for sanctioning refunds, which created confusion among the tax payers/business community.

In this regard, to promote the uniformity in practices adopted by GST officers, the GST policy wing of the CBIC has issued detailed guidelines for the sanctioning of the refund claims, post-audit and review of all refund claims.

CBIC Issues New GST Refund Guidelines for Clarity

Speaking orders

  • Currently, certain refund applications are rejected without proper speaking orders (with out providing detailed reasoning for such rejection).
  • With this Instruction- the GST officers shall provide detailed speaking order with the reasons for sanction or rejection of the refund claims.

These guidelines to GST officers, helps:

  • Provide the details to be mentioned in a speaking order
  • Tax payers understand and respond to refund rejection order in a timely manner.

In the instructions issued to GST officers, CBIC has listed additional to be checked by GST officer for sanctioning refund. Hence we would have to double on check on the below key points before applying refund applications;

Additional details will be checked by GST officers for sanctioning of Refunds

1. Refund of ITC on account of zero rate supplies

  • Whether calculation of turnover or aggregate turnover is correct as per provisions
  • Whether calculation of NET ITC is correct as per provisions
  • NET ITC should not include input on capital goods
  • ITC should be restricted to extent reflecting in GSTR 2A/2B.
  • Submission of E BRC/ FIRC for service exports.

2. For supplies to SEZ's by DTA

  • Supplies should be for authorized operations basis LoA.
  • Supplies should be cross checked with SEZ online portal.
  • Documents should be endorsed by proper SEZ officer.
  • Payment should be received by DTA from SEZ against supply.
 

Post Audit of Refund Claims

  • Post Audit is not required for Refunds upto INR 1L
  • For Refunds exceeding INR 1L, GST department will conduct audit within 3 months from the refund date.

Post-audit of refund orders will be conducted in offline mode, till functionality for conducting post-audit online is developed at GST portal.

 

Review of Refund Claims by GST department

  • All refund claims are required to be reviewed.
  • So that department can decide whether to go for appeal or not
  • The review team should submit the report to the higher authorities at least 30 days prior for filing appeal.

FAQ :

The main purpose is to promote uniformity in the practices adopted by GST officers for sanctioning refund claims and to eliminate confusion among taxpayers.

Speaking orders are detailed orders that provide the specific reasons for the sanction or rejection of a GST refund claim, ensuring transparency for taxpayers.

Yes, post-audits are not required for refunds up to INR 1 lakh. For refunds exceeding INR 1 lakh, the GST department will conduct an audit within 3 months from the refund date, primarily in offline mode for now.

Officers will check the correctness of turnover calculations, NET ITC calculations (excluding input on capital goods), and ensure ITC is restricted to amounts reflected in GSTR 2A/2B. Submission of E BRC/FIRC for service exports is also required.

All refund claims are reviewed to help the department decide whether to file an appeal. The review team must submit its report to higher authorities at least 30 days before the appeal filing deadline.


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About the Author

Manager - Finance & Accounts

Ajay Kumar Maggidi is a seasoned finance professional with over 12 years of experience in accounting, taxation, payroll, and corporate compliance. After earning the trust of clients through his deep technical expertise and problem-solving approach, he has transitioned into Business Development for Finance Accounting s ... Read more

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