Back when GST was introduced, they asked all exporters of software services to pay the 18% GST and then claim a refund because exports are exempted. This was before they introduced a process to apply for a "NOC" (which must be renewed periodically I think). So, I duly paid GST for the first couple of months.
5 years later, I'm yet to receive the refunds. First, they said that they were authorized to only sanction refunds for exporters of physical goods and then they said that this is handled by the State government, who said that it was handled by the Central. Finally Central accepted that they are in-charge of the refund, but by then COVID happened and I could not follow up for 2 years. In May, when I tried to claim the refund again, they said that this refund pertains to 2016 and it's difficult to "reopen" the accounts for that year and that's handled by yet another department. So, they have written to them to ask for the process. No replies after two emails. Story continues...
My family’s liquor shop was forced to close because our accountants could not keep up with the constant GST changes. They quit and we could not find another on short notice. The worst part was that the shop was on the hook for the unpaid taxes of upstream suppliers - money that is yet to be fully refunded after years.
India’s legal systems and the enforcement of laws are one of the biggest drags on a country with immense potential.
Yes, you can get a waiver if you apply for something called the "Letter of Undertaking" which allows you to not pay anything for exports. This was not available at the start.
5 years later, I'm yet to receive the refunds. First, they said that they were authorized to only sanction refunds for exporters of physical goods and then they said that this is handled by the State government, who said that it was handled by the Central. Finally Central accepted that they are in-charge of the refund, but by then COVID happened and I could not follow up for 2 years. In May, when I tried to claim the refund again, they said that this refund pertains to 2016 and it's difficult to "reopen" the accounts for that year and that's handled by yet another department. So, they have written to them to ask for the process. No replies after two emails. Story continues...