Tax Department requests system to speed up VAT refund settlement

About 86% of value-added tax refund dossiers under the "refund first, check later" category were quickly processed by tax authorities within 6 working days from the date of receiving complete dossiers from taxpayers - Photo: VGP/HT

The Tax Department (Ministry of Finance) has just issued a document urging regional Tax Branches to speed up the settlement of VAT refunds.

According to the Tax Department (Ministry of Finance): In the recent past, the Tax Authority has effectively implemented electronic tax refunds at a rate of 99%. Of which, about 86% of VAT refund dossiers subject to "refund first, check later" have been promptly resolved by the tax authority within 6 working days from the date of receipt of complete dossiers from taxpayers. In 2024, the whole industry issued 19,806 tax refund decisions with a total tax refund amount of VND 156,941 billion, an increase of 5% over the same period in 2023. In the first 3 months of 2025 alone, 3,911 decisions were issued with a total VAT refund amount of VND 31,128 billion, an increase of 6% over the same period in 2024.

This result has contributed positively to supporting enterprises and investors in capital turnover, promoting production, business and export. However, according to taxpayers' feedback, in some localities, the progress of processing VAT refund dossiers is still slow, not meeting the time requirements as prescribed.

To continue improving the efficiency of VAT refund work, creating maximum convenience for businesses and investors, the Tax Department requires Heads of Regional Tax Branches, Heads of Departments and units under the Tax Department to seriously implement a number of key contents.

Firstly, organize a review of enterprises that export goods, services and investment projects in the area. Proactively guide and support enterprises and investors right from the stage of tax declaration and tax refund application preparation to ensure completeness and compliance with regulations, avoiding difficulties and problems for taxpayers during the implementation process.

Second, direct functional departments to review and summarize all outstanding VAT refund application dossiers. Classify dossiers by subject group and item, especially key export items such as textiles, footwear, wood and wood products, agricultural products, seafood, iron and steel, electronic components, etc. Clearly identify difficulties, obstacles and deadlines for handling each dossier. Arrange sufficient human resources, assign specific tasks; organize weekly monitoring and inspection of implementation progress. Strive to have no overdue dossiers by the end of May 2025, except for high-risk dossiers and suspected tax fraud dossiers that are being verified and inspected.

Third, for taxpayers with a good compliance history, qualified records, no signs of risk, and making tax refunds within the prescribed time limit.

For high-risk records, with signs of fraud, invoice trading, and tax refund fraud, the Tax Departments must coordinate with the authorities to inspect and verify. The Tax Departments must issue a written notice to the taxpayers and coordinate the handling after receiving the conclusions of the authorities.

Fourth, the Tax Departments assign civil servants to manage and support enterprises, directly guide taxpayers; organize dialogues and work with associations, enterprises, and investors from April 15, 2025 to April 29, 2025 to remove obstacles and promptly resolve issues within their authority. For issues beyond their authority, immediately report to the Tax Department for guidance on resolution.

Previously, at a recent press conference of the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Director of the Tax Department Mai Son said that, in general, the current tax refund policy has a flexible mechanism to facilitate businesses. Businesses that comply with the policy will be given priority for tax refunds. According to regulations, after 5 days, the tax authority will proceed with the tax refund in case the business provides complete information.

Mr. Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/cuc-thue-yeu-cau-he-thong-day-nhanh-giai-quyet-hoan-thue-gtgt-102250412183858844.htm