Blog on Circular No. 166/22/2021-GST: Clarification on Refund-Related Issues Under GST
<p><a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/nisha/circular-166-22-2021-gst.pdf">circular-166-22-2021-gst</a><br><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>The <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)</strong> issued <strong>Circular No. 166/22/2021-GST</strong> on <strong>November 17, 2021</strong>, providing <strong>clarifications on various refund-related issues under GST</strong>. The circular addresses key concerns regarding <strong>refund of excess balance in the electronic cash ledger, refund of TDS/TCS, and refund timelines for deemed exports</strong>.</p><p>This blog highlights the key points clarified in the circular to ensure uniformity in GST compliance.</p><hr><h3><strong>Key Highlights of the Circular</strong></h3><h4><strong>1. Time Limit for Filing Refund of Excess Balance in Electronic Cash Ledger</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Clarification:</strong> <strong>No time limit applies</strong> for claiming refunds of <strong>excess balance in the electronic cash ledger</strong>.</li><li><strong>Reason:</strong> <strong>Section 54(1) of the CGST Act</strong> (which prescribes a time limit for refund claims) <strong>does not apply</strong> to refunds of excess cash ledger balance.</li></ul><h4><strong>2. Declaration/Certificate Requirement for Refund of Excess Balance in Cash Ledger</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Clarification:</strong> Taxpayers <strong>do not need to submit a declaration or certificate</strong> under <strong>Rule 89(2)(l) or Rule 89(2)(m)</strong> for refund of excess balance in the electronic cash ledger.</li><li><strong>Reason:</strong> The <strong>doctrine of unjust enrichment does not apply</strong> to refunds from the cash ledger, as it represents an excess amount already deposited by the taxpayer.</li></ul><h4><strong>3. Refund of TDS/TCS Deposited in the Electronic Cash Ledger</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Clarification:</strong> The <strong>TDS/TCS amount deposited in the electronic cash ledger</strong> can be refunded as an <strong>excess balance</strong> if it remains <strong>unutilized after tax payments</strong>.</li><li><strong>Key Points:</strong><ul><li><strong>TDS/TCS is treated as a cash deposit</strong> in the electronic cash ledger.</li><li>Taxpayers <strong>are not required to use the TDS/TCS balance exclusively for tax payments</strong>.</li><li>If any <strong>excess TDS/TCS amount remains unutilized</strong>, it can be <strong>claimed as a refund</strong>.</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>4. Relevant Date for Refund of Tax Paid on Deemed Exports</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Clarification:</strong> The <strong>relevant date for refund claims on deemed exports</strong> is <strong>the date of return filing by the supplier, not the recipient</strong>.</li><li><strong>Reason:</strong><ul><li>As per <strong>Explanation 2(b) of Section 54 of the CGST Act</strong>, the <strong>date of return filing is considered the relevant date</strong>.</li><li>Since the <strong>supplier pays tax on deemed export supplies</strong>, the refund timeline starts <strong>from the date the supplier files GSTR-3B</strong>, irrespective of whether the claim is filed by the <strong>supplier or recipient</strong>.</li></ul></li></ul>