<h4><strong>Introduction</strong></h4><p>The <strong>Ministry of Finance</strong> issued <strong>Circular No. 137/07/2020-GST</strong> on <strong>April 13, 2020</strong>, to clarify various <strong>GST compliance challenges</strong> faced by businesses due to <strong>COVID-19 disruptions</strong>. It addresses concerns related to <strong>refund claims, credit notes, LUT extensions, TDS payments, and refund application deadlines</strong>.</p><hr><h3><strong>Key Highlights</strong></h3><h3><strong>1. Refund Process for Advance Payments on Cancelled Services</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>If an invoice was issued</strong>: The supplier must issue a <strong>credit note</strong> and adjust the tax liability in future returns. If no output liability exists, they can file a <strong>refund under "Excess Payment of Tax"</strong> in <strong>GST RFD-01</strong>.</li><li><strong>If no invoice was issued</strong>: The supplier must issue a <strong>refund voucher</strong> and file for <strong>GST refund under excess payment category</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>2. Refund for Returned Goods</strong></h3><ul><li>If <strong>goods are returned</strong>, the supplier must issue a <strong>credit note</strong>, adjusting tax liability in future returns.</li><li>If no output liability exists, the supplier can claim a <strong>refund using GST RFD-01</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>3. Extension of LUT Filing Deadline</strong></h3><ul><li>The <strong>Letter of Undertaking (LUT) for zero-rated exports</strong> expired on <strong>March 31, 2020</strong>.</li><li><strong>Deadline extended till June 30, 2020</strong> under <strong>Notification No. 35/2020</strong>.</li><li>Businesses can <strong>continue zero-rated exports</strong> by quoting the <strong>2019-20 LUT reference number</strong> until the <strong>2020-21 LUT is filed</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>4. Extension of TDS Compliance Deadline</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 51</strong> for <strong>March-June 2020</strong> is now due by <strong>June 30, 2020</strong>.</li><li><strong>No interest will be levied</strong> if payment is made by the extended due date.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>5. Extension of Refund Application Deadline</strong></h3><ul><li>GST refund applications <strong>expiring between March 20 - June 29, 2020</strong> can now be filed <strong>until June 30, 2020</strong>.</li><li>This benefits businesses unable to file <strong>refund claims due to lockdown restrictions</strong>.<a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/nisha/circular-refund-137-7-2020.pdf">circular_refund_137_7_2020</a><br> </li></ul>