GST refund claims in India are generally filed online in FORM GST RFD-01. You can track the application stage on the GST Portal using its ARN, then check PFMS for bank-account validation and payment disbursal. The key timeline is not a universal payment promise: section 56 provides interest for qualifying refunds unpaid beyond 60 days, while a seven-day rule applies only to a defined provisional-refund step for eligible claims.
How do I file a GST refund claim?
For most refund categories, submit an electronic application in FORM GST RFD-01. The required evidence depends on why you are claiming the refund, so use the documents prescribed for that category rather than treating any single checklist as universal. The CBIC GST Refund Rules cover the forms and supporting-document requirements.
Examples include shipping bills and export invoices for goods, bank-realisation or foreign-inward-remittance evidence for exported services, endorsements and payment details for supplies to Special Economic Zones, and prescribed invoice statements for certain unutilized input-tax-credit claims. Some balances in the electronic cash ledger may instead be claimed through the relevant return.
How do I check my GST refund status with an ARN?
- Sign in to the GST Portal and go to Services > Refunds > Track Application Status.
- Select the relevant filing year or enter the ARN (Application Reference Number) for the refund application.
- Review the displayed application stage. For bank-account validation or payment disbursal, check PFMS as well.
These steps follow the GST Portal advisory on tracking refund applications. The GST Portal shows application processing; PFMS indicates the account-validation and disbursal stages.
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Why is my refund sanctioned but not in my bank account?
Processing and payment are separate stages. The GST Portal advisory describes two PFMS validations: first, PFMS validates the account entered in RFD-01 before the tax officer can issue the payment order; later, it validates the account in RFD-05 before final disbursal. A refund may therefore be processed or sanctioned while payment is held up by account validation or disbursal.
- Check PFMS for the current validation or disbursal status.
- Confirm that the bank-account details associated with the relevant refund forms are correct and valid.
- If the GST Portal shows the application processed but PFMS shows a payment-stage issue, follow up on that stage rather than assuming the claim remains under officer review.
How long does a GST refund take?
There is no single end-to-end time stated here that applies to every refund claim. The legal timeline depends on the claim and procedural stage. Section 56 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 sets a 60-day period relevant to interest on qualifying delayed refunds; it is not a guarantee that every claim will be paid within 60 days.
When can a provisional refund be issued in seven days?
For qualifying claims involving zero-rated supplies, section 54 allows a provisional refund of up to 90% of the amount claimed, subject to statutory conditions and exclusions. Under rule 91 of the CGST Rules, the provisional order in FORM GST RFD-04 is due within seven days of the applicable acknowledgment when the rule’s conditions are met. That deadline concerns a provisional-order step—not final settlement or receipt of money—and does not apply to every refund application.
When is interest payable on a delayed GST refund?
Under section 56, interest applies to a qualifying refund that remains unpaid after 60 days from receipt of the application. For the general rule, the statutory maximum rate is 6%, with interest running from the day after the 60-day period expires. The government-notified rate and the case facts determine the rate actually payable; 6% is a ceiling, not necessarily the applicable rate.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A separate proviso sets a statutory maximum of 9% for a qualifying refund arising from an order of an adjudicating authority, Appellate Authority, Appellate Tribunal, or court that has attained finality, if the refund is not made within 60 days after the consequential application. The applicable notified rate and the precise facts still need to be checked before calculating or claiming interest.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I do if my GST refund is rejected?
Read the actual decision or order first. Identify the reason for rejection, the provision under which it was issued, the forum that can hear a challenge, and the limitation period that applies to that particular decision. Refund-related adverse decisions do not all share one appeal route or deadline.
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- Keep the order, application, ARN, supporting documents, and relevant portal notices together.
- Check the appeal provision and limitation period that apply to that order; do not assume a deadline stated for appeals against demand orders also governs a refund dispute.
- If the deadline may be near or the correct forum is unclear, promptly consult a qualified GST practitioner or tax adviser.
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