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GST Refund FAQs: Timelines, Interest, Status Checks and Appeals in India

Track an Indian GST refund by ARN on the GST Portal and check PFMS for account validation or disbursal. Learn how the 60-day interest rule, provisional refunds and rejection appeals work.
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GST refund claims are generally filed online in FORM GST RFD-01. To follow one, check its processing stage on the GST Portal using the application reference number (ARN), then check PFMS for bank-account validation and payment disbursal. A qualifying delayed refund may attract interest under section 56 of the CGST Act, but the statutory 60-day rule and seven-day provisional-refund step do not mean every claim will be paid within seven days. The rules depend on the refund category and case facts.

How do I apply for a GST refund?

For most refund categories, submit an electronic application in FORM GST RFD-01 through the GST Portal. The evidence required depends on why you are claiming the refund. Some cash-ledger balances may instead be claimed through the relevant return, so first confirm which route applies to your claim.

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Examples of supporting records in the CBIC refund rules include export shipping and invoice records; bank realization or foreign inward remittance evidence for exported services; endorsements and payment details for supplies to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ); deemed-export documents; and prescribed invoice statements for certain unutilized input-tax-credit claims. These examples are not a universal checklist. Use the documents required for your specific category and the current portal instructions. CBIC GST Refund Rules

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How do I check GST refund status with an ARN?

  1. Sign in to the GST Portal and open Services > Refunds > Track Application Status.
  2. Select the filing year or enter the ARN, as applicable, and view the application stage.
  3. If the claim has progressed to payment but the funds have not reached your bank, check PFMS for bank validation and disbursal status.

The GST Portal’s tracking advisory distinguishes the refund application’s processing stage from PFMS account validation and disbursal. Check the GST Portal refund-tracking advisory for its instructions.

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What if the refund is sanctioned but not credited?

Check PFMS rather than assuming the tax officer is still processing the application. The advisory describes two bank-account validation points: PFMS validates the account entered in RFD-01 before the officer can issue the payment order, and validates the account in RFD-05 before final disbursal. A validation issue can therefore hold up payment after application processing has advanced.

How long does a GST refund take?

There is no single end-to-end deadline in these rules that guarantees every filed claim will arrive in the taxpayer’s bank account within a fixed number of days. The relevant steps and timing depend on the claim’s category, acknowledgment, processing, and payment validation.

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When does the 60-day period matter?

Section 56 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act provides for interest on qualifying refunds not paid within 60 days from receipt of the application. Interest, where due, runs from the day after that period expires and is at the rate notified under the Act. The 60-day period is the statutory trigger for interest on qualifying delayed refunds; it should not be treated as a promise that every refund will be paid within 60 days. CGST Act, 2017, sections 54 and 56

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What is the seven-day provisional-refund step?

For qualifying claims, the rules provide for a provisional refund order in FORM GST RFD-04 within seven days of the applicable acknowledgment. The Act allows a provisional refund of up to 90% of the amount claimed for eligible zero-rated supply claims, subject to statutory conditions and exclusions. This is a provisional processing step—not a general deadline for final settlement or receipt of the money. CBIC GST Refund Rules, rule 91

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When is interest payable on a delayed GST refund?

Interest is not automatic for every refund that seems slow: the claim must qualify under section 56, and the applicable rate depends on the relevant government notification and case facts. The Act sets different maximum rates for two situations:

Situation Statutory timing Maximum rate in section 56
Qualifying refund under the general provision Not paid within 60 days of receipt of the application; interest runs from the day after the 60-day period expires. 6%, subject to the rate notified by the government.
Qualifying refund arising from an adjudicating authority, Appellate Authority, Appellate Tribunal, or court order that has attained finality Not made within 60 days after the consequential application. 9%, subject to the applicable notification and case facts.

The 6% and 9% figures are statutory ceilings, not confirmation of the rate currently payable in an individual case. Check the applicable notification and the terms of the relevant order before calculating or claiming interest. CGST Act, 2017, section 56

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What should I do if a GST refund is rejected?

Read the actual decision or order first. Identify the stated reason, the refund category and the procedural route that applies to that particular decision. The relevant appeal provision, forum and limitation period can vary; there is no single deadline or route established here for every refund-related adverse decision.

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  • Keep the order, ARN, application and supporting documents together.
  • Check the appeal instructions and limitation period applicable to that order; do not assume a deadline for appeals against demand orders also governs a refund rejection.
  • If the deadline may be near, seek advice from a qualified GST practitioner or tax adviser promptly.

For the governing refund forms and rules, consult the CBIC GST Refund Rules. The correct next step depends on the order and the applicable provisions.

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