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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Most GST refund claims are filed online in FORM GST RFD-01. You can track the application’s processing stage on the GST Portal using its ARN, then check PFMS for bank-account validation and payment disbursal. The statutory 60-day interest rule and seven-day provisional-order step apply only in defined circumstances—not as a universal promise that every refund will reach your bank within seven days.
How do I apply for a GST refund?
For most refund categories, submit an electronic application in FORM GST RFD-01. The evidence required depends on the reason for the claim, so use the requirements for your specific category and the current portal instructions. Some balances in the electronic cash ledger may instead be claimed through the relevant return.
The GST Refund Rules list category-specific supporting records. Examples include export shipping and invoice records; bank-realisation or foreign-inward-remittance evidence for exported services; endorsements and payment details for supplies to special economic zones (SEZs); records for deemed exports; and prescribed invoice statements for certain unutilised input-tax-credit claims. See the CBIC GST Refund Rules for the applicable requirements.
There is no single document checklist that fits every refund. Match the evidence to the claim ground rather than treating examples for another category as sufficient.
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How do I check GST refund status using an ARN?
- On the GST Portal, go to Services > Refunds > Track Application Status.
- Select the filing year or enter the application reference number (ARN), then check the displayed application stage.
- If the application is sanctioned but the money has not arrived, check PFMS for account validation and disbursal status.
The GST Portal advisory explains that the portal tracks application processing, while PFMS is used for bank-account validation and payment disbursal. See the GST Portal refund-tracking advisory.
Why is a sanctioned GST refund not in my bank account?
Application processing and payment are separate stages. The GST Portal advisory describes two PFMS validation points: the account mentioned in RFD-01 is validated before the tax officer can issue the payment order, and the account in RFD-05 is validated before final disbursal.
If the portal shows the refund as sanctioned but you have not received it, inspect the PFMS validation or disbursal stage and verify the relevant account details. The application can be processed even while payment is held up at validation or disbursal.
How long does a GST refund take?
There is no universal seven-day end-to-end payment deadline. The relevant general statutory trigger is 60 days: under section 56 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, qualifying refunds not paid within 60 days from receipt of the application attract interest from the day after that period expires, at the rate notified under the Act.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchA separate, narrower procedure applies to eligible zero-rated supply claims. Subject to statutory conditions and exclusions, section 54(6) allows a provisional refund of up to 90% of the amount claimed. Under rule 91, the provisional order in RFD-04 is due within seven days of the applicable acknowledgment when the rule’s conditions are met. That is a deadline for a provisional processing step—not a promise that every claim will be finally settled or paid into the applicant’s bank within seven days.
These figures are statutory or procedural rules, not average processing times. The Act and rules are available from CBIC’s Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and its GST Refund Rules.
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When is interest payable on a delayed GST refund?
Section 56 provides interest for a qualifying refund that remains unpaid beyond the applicable 60-day period. For the general delayed-refund provision, the Act sets a statutory maximum rate of 6%, with the actual rate subject to government notification.
A proviso sets a different statutory ceiling 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 notification and the facts of the case determine whether, and at what rate, interest is payable. The statutory ceilings are not themselves confirmation that a taxpayer is entitled to either rate.
What should I do if my GST refund is rejected?
Read the decision or order itself before choosing a next step. Identify the stated reason for rejection, the appeal provision and forum that apply to that decision, and the limitation period calculated under the relevant rules. Refund-related decisions do not all share one appeal route or deadline. If the deadline may be close or the order is disputed, seek advice from a qualified GST practitioner or tax adviser promptly.
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