The GST Council had announced substantial GST rate cuts effective from July 27, 2018; including 28-18 per cent on consumer durables, domestic electrical appliances, televisions, storage water heaters, paints and varnishes, scent sprays, etc. and 12 per cent to nil on sanitary napkins

The GST bandwagon has had a choppy ride in the first year but is gaining momentum. Further fine-tuning of the GST law holds key to future success

Delayed refunds under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) continue to trouble taxpayers as well as the government even as exporters against raised concern over the issue.

The exporters' body also points out that the tax authorities have not been trained in GST Law, Rules & Regulations delaying the refund of exporters.

The Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs, has sought a linkage between the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) portal and the NSDL portal, for smooth facilitation of the GST refunds.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) had organised refund facilitation camps in field offices between March 15-31 to assist exporters in filling up refund claim forms and correct errors.

The delay in exporters' refund under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is becoming a serious problem with around Rs 10,000 crore stuck with the government, making many exporters, especially the smaller ones, struggle for working capital.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has already given refunds to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore but as much as 70 percent of total refunds to exporters is still stuck even after eight months of GST roll out.

According to figures stated by government officials, out of Rs 14,000 crore, only Rs 4,000 crore, or less than 30 per cent, has been refunded so far. So, what is causing the delay in refunds?

Appropriate initiatives must be taken for processing \"timely\" input tax refunds to exporters.

Contradicting various estimates that put astronomic figures as the cumulative refund amount pending with the government (as high as Rs 50,000 crore), the ministry claims that that the pending refunds under various GST related heads could be around Rs 3,000 crore, not more.