GST Refund Clarifications: Key Updates from CBIC Circular No. 181/13/2022-GST
<p>The <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)</strong> has issued <strong>Circular No. 181/13/2022-GST</strong> to clarify important <strong>refund-related issues</strong>, specifically regarding <strong>inverted duty structure (IDS) refunds</strong>. These clarifications stem from the <strong>amendments made via Notification No. 14/2022-Central Tax (05.07.2022) and Notification No. 09/2022-Central Tax (Rate) (13.07.2022)</strong>.</p><p>This blog highlights the <strong>key changes and their impact on refund claims</strong> under GST.</p><hr><h2><strong>1. Background on Inverted Duty Structure (IDS) Refunds</strong></h2><ul><li><strong>Section 54(3) of CGST Act, 2017</strong> allows for a refund of <strong>unutilized Input Tax Credit (ITC)</strong> when the <strong>tax rate on inputs is higher than the tax rate on output supplies</strong>.</li><li><strong>Rule 89(5) of CGST Rules, 2017</strong> prescribes a formula to calculate <strong>IDS refunds</strong>.</li><li>The <strong>recent amendments</strong> brought <strong>changes in the formula</strong> and <strong>restrictions on certain goods</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h2><strong>2. Key Clarifications on Refunds under Inverted Duty Structure</strong></h2><h3><strong>Clarification 1: Applicability of the New Refund Formula</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Amendment:</strong> The formula for computing <strong>IDS refunds</strong> was modified via <strong>Notification No. 14/2022-Central Tax (05.07.2022)</strong>.</li><li><strong>Clarification:</strong><ul><li>The new formula <strong>applies prospectively</strong> from <strong>5th July 2022</strong>.</li><li>Refund applications <strong>filed on or after 5th July 2022</strong> must use the <strong>revised formula</strong>.</li><li>Applications <strong>filed before 5th July 2022</strong> will be processed using the <strong>old formula</strong>.</li></ul></li></ul><h3><strong>Clarification 2: Restriction on Refunds for Goods in Chapter 15 & 27</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Amendment:</strong> <strong>Notification No. 09/2022-Central Tax (Rate) (13.07.2022)</strong> restricts <strong>IDS refunds</strong> for certain <strong>goods under Chapter 15 (Animal/Veg Fats & Oils) and Chapter 27 (Mineral Fuels, Oils, etc.)</strong>.</li><li><strong>Clarification:</strong><ul><li>This restriction is <strong>applicable prospectively from 18th July 2022</strong>.</li><li>Refund applications <strong>filed before 18th July 2022</strong> are <strong>not affected</strong>.</li><li>Applications <strong>filed on or after 18th July 2022</strong> for these goods <strong>will not be eligible</strong> for IDS refunds.</li></ul></li></ul><hr><h2><strong>3. Key Takeaways for Businesses</strong></h2><p>✔ <strong>Taxpayers must ensure</strong> they use the <strong>correct refund formula</strong> based on the filing date.<br>✔ <strong>Businesses dealing with goods under Chapters 15 & 27</strong> must <strong>stop claiming IDS refunds for transactions after 18th July 2022</strong>.<br>✔ <strong>Refund applications pending before 5th July 2022 (for formula changes) or before 18th July 2022 (for restricted goods) will be processed under old rules</strong>.<a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/cir-181-13-2022-cgst.pdf">cir-181-13-2022-cgst</a><br> </p>