Three entities filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal today (01 Oct), challenging the Inland Revenue Department’s decision to abolish the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT).
The Inland Revenue Department recently announced the abolition of the Simplified Value Added Tax and the introduction of the Risk-Based Refund Scheme (RBRS), with effect from 01st October 2025.
According to the Chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association, the petitioners claim that the move has been made without first operationalising the legally mandated automated refund mechanism.
The RBRS scheme aims to facilitate timely and efficient VAT refunds for eligible exporters and projects. While refunds will be issued within 45 days, subject to conditions.
Refunds will be issued to eligible VAT registrants for taxable periods commencing on or after 01st October 2025, based on a risk-based rating system.
As such, eligible VAT registrants will be evaluated by being classified into three categories: low, medium, and high risk, to determine how refunds are processed.
Eligible VAT registrants for VAT refunds under the new scheme are exporters, projects, and suppliers to projects. (Newswire)