Clarifications on Refund Related Issues: Circular No. 45/19/2018-GST
<p><span>The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued Circular No. 45/19/2018-GST on 30th May 2018 to address various refund-related issues under the GST regime. This circular provides important clarifications to ensure uniform implementation of GST provisions. Here are the key highlights:</span></p><p><span><strong>1. Refund Claims by Specific Categories</strong></span></p><ul><li><span><strong>Input Service Distributors (ISD), Composition Taxpayers, and Non-Resident Taxable Persons:</strong></span><ul><li><span>Refund claims for these categories are simplified. Filing of details in FORM GSTR-1 and the return in FORM GSTR-3B is not mandatory.</span></li><li><span>Instead, returns filed in FORM GSTR-4 (composition taxpayer), FORM GSTR-6 (ISD), and FORM GSTR-5 (non-resident taxable person) are sufficient for claiming refunds.</span></li></ul></li></ul><p><span><strong>2. Export of Services and Supplies to SEZ</strong></span></p><ul><li><span><strong>Errors in FORM GSTR-3B:</strong></span><ul><li><span>Clarifications are provided for registered persons who committed errors while declaring exports and zero-rated supplies.</span></li><li><span>Refund applications in FORM GST RFD-01A are allowed subject to conditions ensuring the amount of refund claimed does not exceed the aggregate amount declared.</span></li></ul></li></ul><p><span><strong>3. Refund of Unutilized Input Tax Credit of Compensation Cess</strong></span></p><ul><li><span>Exporters can claim a refund of unutilized input tax credit of compensation cess paid on inputs, even if the final product is not subject to the levy of compensation cess.</span></li><li><span>Example: Compensation cess on coal used in the manufacture of aluminum products.</span></li></ul><p><span><strong>4. Zero-Rated Supply of Exempted or Non-GST Goods</strong></span></p><ul><li><span>No requirement for a bond or Letter of Undertaking (LUT) for zero-rated supply of exempted or non-GST goods.</span></li><li><span>Exporters can claim a refund of unutilized input tax credit for such supplies without furnishing a bond or LUT.</span></li></ul><p><span><strong>5. Rule 96(10) of the CGST Rules</strong></span></p><ul><li><span>Clarifications on the restriction imposed by rule 96(10) regarding non-availment of certain notification benefits by exporters.</span></li><li><span>The restriction applies only to direct procurement from suppliers availing benefits under specified notifications.</span> <a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/circular-no45.pdf">circular_no.45</a><br> </li></ul>