RM19.47b in GST refund not paid to 121,429 individuals, companies

KUALA LUMPUR: The former government failed to reimburse RM19.47bil in Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund to 121,429 companies and individuals, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.  

He said under Section 54 of the GST Act 2014, the monies collected must be deposited into the GST Trust Fund to enable reimbursements.

“Unfortunately, the former government did not do this and the entire amount was instead deposited directly into the Consolidated Fund Account, contravening the GST Act,” said Lim in a statement, adding that the Royal Malaysia Customs Department (RMCD) confirmed that an audit on the GST refund claims of RM19.47bil was completed and approved for payment end-July this year.

However, there was a shortfall of RM19.2bil as there was only RM148.6 million left in the GST Trust Fund, which was insufficient to repay the arrears.

On the payment of arrears amounting to RM900mil to two government-owned companies, Lim said the RMCD has clarified that the payment arose from an exemption given by the Ministry of Finance under Section 56(3) of the GST Act 2014 for the input tax paid by them.

“I have been made to understand that RM187.8mil was paid, and that there was no loss of funds as both companies are 100 per cent owned by the Federal government,” he added.  -- Bernama