CBIC Initiates Special GST Refund and Drawback Disposal Drive

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has given its commissioners instructions to conduct a special drive to resolve all pending refund claims. The drive comes at a time when a business has been disrupted by movement restrictions in many parts of the country.

Eligible GST taxpayers can check their GST refund status online, through GST Portal.
In these difficult times, the CBIC stated that the Board has decided that it is necessary to focus on timely disposal of all pending refund/duty drawback claims in order to provide immediate relief to business entities, particularly MSMEs.

"It is hereby instructed that a 'Special GST Refund Disposal Drive' will be launched by all Central Tax formations during the period from 15th May 2021 to 31st May 2021 for processing and disposal of all pending GST refund claims on priority," it said.

The CBIC also stated that the GST law allows for a 15-day period for issuing an acknowledgment or deficiency memo, as well as a total of 60 days for dealing with refund claims without the need to pay interest.

Important Things To Know

• This applies to all GST refunds and Customs Duty Drawback claims that are still pending.
• All pending refunds, including those for large corporations, will be extended, with a special focus on MSME.
• The special drive is intended to expedite the resolution of pending claims, not to provide a window for correcting erroneous refunds.
• To make it easier for exporters, all communication should be done via email, if the applicant's email address is available.

"It is urged that in these difficult times, all central tax officers should endeavor to make their best efforts and contribution in the fight against COVID-19, by liquidating the pending GST refund claims by May 31, 2021," the CBIC added.

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