By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 12, 2018: THE Government had launched the second 'Special Drive Refund Fortnight' from May 31, 2018 to June 14, 2018. It may be noted that during the first Refund Fortnight from March 15-29, 2018 an amount of Rs 5350 crores had been sanctioned. In the second installment of this drive, refund of over Rs 7500 crores has been sanctioned. Thereby, in view of overwhelming response from exporters and pending claims, the period of Refund fortnight is being extended by two more days, upto June 16, 2018.

All exporters whose refunds have been held up on account of short payment are required to make the payment of IGST equal toshort payment and follow the instructions of Circular No. 12 / 2018 - Customs dated May 29, 2018. In IGST short payment cases, small exporters whose aggregate IGST refund amount for the period July, 2017 to March, 2018 is upto Rs . 10 Lakhs are required to submit self-certified copies of proof of payment of IGST to the concerned Customs office at the port of export. Others arerequired to submit a certificate from a Chartered Accountant including the proof of payment.

All GST refund claimants, whose claims are still pending, are being encouraged to approach their jurisdictional Tax Authority for disposal of their refund claims submitted on or before April 30, 2018. In case the jurisdiction has not been defined for a particular claimant, one can approach either of the jurisdictional tax authorities. Besides, all claimants may note the refund application in FORM GST RFD - 01A would not be processed unless a copy of the application, along with all supporting documents, is submitted to the jurisdictional tax office. Mere online submission is not sufficient.

Moreover, all IGST refund claimants may register on ICEGATE website, if not already done, to check their refund status. Customs field formations have been informed about the extension of the Refund Drive. Exporters are requested to make the best of this extended drive and avail of the opportunity to get the refunds sanctioned during this special drive. In case of any problem, exporters are advised to approach the Commissioner of Customs or Jurisdictional Tax Authorities.   The Government is committed to clear all the remaining refund claims filed upto April 30, 2018 are still pending.