TMI BlogClarifications on exports related refund issuesX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... th a view to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the provisions of the law across field formations, the Board, in exercise of its powers conferred by section 168 (1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act), hereby clarifies the issues raised as below: 2.1 Non-availment of drawback: The third proviso to sub-section (3) of section 54 of the CGST Act states that no refund of input tax credit shall be allowed in cases where the supplier of goods or services or both avails of drawback in respect of central tax. 2.2 This has been clarified in paragraph 8.0 of Circular No. 24/24/2017 - GST, dated 21 st December 2017. In the said paragraph, reference to Section 54(3)(ii) of the CGST Act is a typographical error and it should read as Section 54(3)(i) of the CGST Act . It may be noted that in the said circular reference has been made only to central tax, integrated tax, State / Union territory tax and not to customs duty leviable under the Customs Act, 1962. Therefore, a supplier availing of drawback only with respect to basic customs duty shall be eligible for refund of unutilized input tax credit of central tax / State tax / Un ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... hasised that the substantive benefits of zero rating may not be denied where it has been established that exports in terms of the relevant provisions have been made. The delay in furnishing of LUT in such cases may be condoned and the facility for export under LUT may be allowed on ex post facto basis taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case. 5. Exports after specified period: Rule 96A (1) of the CGST Rules provides that any registered person may export goods or services without payment of integrated tax after furnishing a LUT / bond and that he would be liable to pay the tax due along with the interest as applicable within a period of fifteen days after the expiry of three months or such further period as may be allowed by the Commissioner from the date of issue of the invoice for export, if the goods are not exported out of India. The time period in case of services is fifteen days after the expiry of one year or such further period as may be allowed by the Commissioner from the date of issue of the invoice for export, if the payment of such services is not received by the exporter in convertible foreign exchange. 5.1 It has bee ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... deficiencies pointed out in the original memo remain unrectified, either wholly or partly, or any other substantive deficiency is noticed subsequently. 7. Self-declaration for non-prosecution: It is learnt that some field formations are asking for a self-declaration with every refund claim to the effect that the claimant has not been prosecuted. 7.1. The facility of export under LUT is available to all exporters in terms of notification No. 37/2017- Central Tax dated 4th October, 2017, except to those who have been prosecuted for any offence under the CGST Act or the IGST Act or any of the existing laws in force in a case where the amount of tax evaded exceeds two hundred and fifty lakh rupees. Para 2(d) of the Circular No. 8/812017-GST dated 4 October, 2017, mentions that a person intending to export under LUT is required to give a self-declaration at the time of submission of LUT that he has not been prosecuted. Persons who are not eligible to export under LUT are required to export under bond. 7.2. It is clarified that this requirement is already satisfied in case of exports under LUT and asking for self-declaration with every refun ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... existing laws: Sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) of section 142 of the CGST Act provide that refunds of tax/duty paid under the existing law shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the existing law. It is observed that certain taxpayers have applied for such refund claims in FORM GST RFD-01A also. In this regard, the field formations are advised to reject such applications and pass a rejection order in FORM GST PMT-03 and communicate the same on the common portal in FORM CST RFD-01B. The procedures laid down under the existing laws viz., Central Excise Act, 1944 and Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 read with above referred sub-sections of section 142 of the CGST Act shall be followed while processing such refund claims. 10.1 Furthermore, it has been brought to the notice of the Board that the field formations are rejecting, withholding or re-crediting CENVAT credit, while processing claims of refund filed under the existing laws. In this regard, attention is invited to sub-section (3) of section 142 of the CGST Act which provides that the amount of refund arising out of such claims shall be refunded in cash. Further, the first proviso to the said sub ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s of export and the number and the date of the relevant export invoices is required to be submitted along with the claim for refund. It is therefore clarified that insistence on proof of realization of export proceeds for processing of refund claims related to export of goods has not been envisaged in the law and should not be insisted upon. 13. Supplies to Merchant Exporters: Notification No. 40/2017 - Central Tax (Rate), dated 23rd October 2017 and notification No. 41/2017 - Integrated Tax (Rate) dated 23 October 2017 provide for supplies for exports at a concessional rate of 0.05% and 0.1% respectively, subject to certain conditions specified in the said notifications. 13.1 It is clarified that the benefit of supplies at concessional rate is subject to certain conditions and the said benefit is optional. The option may or may not be availed by the supplier and / or the recipient and the goods may be procured at the normal applicable tax rate. 13.2 It is also clarified that the exporter will be eligible to take credit of the tax @ 0.05% / 0.1% paid by him. The supplier who supplies goods at the concessional rate is also eligible for r ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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