Interest on delayed refunds - Section 243

Interest on delayed refunds: statutory interest accrues when refunds are not issued within prescribed periods, subject to assessee attributable exclusions.

Interest on delayed refunds is payable where the Assessing Officer fails to grant a refund within the prescribed three month periods; simple interest at 15% per annum is payable from the day after the expiry of that three month period until the order granting the refund. Periods of delay attributable to the assessee are excluded from interest calculation, and questions about such exclusions are to be finally determined by the specified senior Commissioners. The provision does not apply to assessments for the year commencing 1 April 1989 or subsequent years.