Receiving a GST refund from us
Payment of refunds
We usually send out refunds by cheque within 15 working days of receiving a correct GST return. Your GST return will have a due date printed at the top, which is the date you need to get the completed GST return to us.
Additional information
You can have your GST refunds direct credited to your bank account. To do this, complete a Direct credit authorisation (Fast refunds) (IR587) form, which you can find under Forms and guides >.
Note
If your refund is under $5 we normally don't issue you a refund but carry it forward to the next period instead.
Transfer of refunds
If you would like your refund transferred to another account or to arrears that are being paid off by an instalment arrangement instead of being refunded, you will need to include a note with your GST return requesting the transfer.
Information we require
Your note should include the following information:
- that the transfer is for arrears currently under an instalment arrangement
- the name and IRD number to whom the transfer should be made
- whether the taxpayer is an associated person
- the tax type and period, and
- the date you would like the transfer to occur.
Interest on refunds
We pay interest on refunds and overpayments of GST for amounts over $100.
Interest on GST refunds is calculated from the latest of these days:
- the 16th working day after the GST return is filed, or the day after the due date for filing the GST return, whichever comes first
- the day after the GST return is filed, or
- the day following any overpayment.
Additional information
Current and past interest rates
Withholding a refund
We can withhold payment of a refund to you in some situations:
- A refund, or part of a refund, may be used to pay any other taxes you owe, for example PAYE deductions or income tax.
- If you have not filed a GST return for any taxable period, we may hold your refund until you send the overdue GST return.
- If we aren't satisfied with your GST return we will not release your refund until we have checked any problems.
In these cases, we'll contact you for clarification on how your refund is being calculated.
Find out more
Date published: 17 Apr 2007
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