The Tax Authority has recently held a conference to address various challenges faced by businesses regarding tax refunds and export processes. During this meeting, officials discussed the backlog of tax refund applications and explored solutions to expedite the handling of these cases.

Mai Son, Deputy Director of the Tax Authority, noted that while the number of pending tax refund applications is not large, some cases have been prolonged. The Tax Authority pledged to review and respond specifically to each case raised by businesses. Mai emphasized that businesses must be informed about the amounts eligible for refund, those that are not, the reasons behind the decisions, and the timeframe for resolving any outstanding issues. If a case cannot be resolved within the stipulated time, the Tax Authority will ensure that businesses are informed to facilitate cooperation.

In addition to processing applications, the Tax Authority plans to enhance dialogue with businesses and associations, establishing direct communication mechanisms to receive and address feedback promptly. Notably, the Tax Authority is pushing for the integration of technology in the tax refund process. This initiative aims to provide businesses with early information to help them review and complete their applications before submission, ultimately leading to the automation of certain steps and faster processing for compliant businesses.

Furthermore, the Tax Authority is encouraging tax departments to engage in discussions tailored to specific groups of businesses, particularly those involved in exports and imports with prolonged refund applications, to better understand their issues and provide concrete answers.

Phạm Thị Minh Hiền, Deputy Head of the Revenue Development Management Department, also addressed concerns related to export activities. She clarified that tax refunds for local exports must be based on customs declarations made in accordance with regulations. If customs authorities determine that the conditions for processing such declarations are not met, the Tax Authority will lack the necessary documentation to process the refund.

Regarding goods exported to bonded warehouses, tax refunds will be conducted according to the provisions of the Value Added Tax Law. Businesses must ensure that all procedures in the non-tax area are adequately documented to confirm that the goods are consumed within that zone.

Importantly, Deputy Director Mai Son reiterated that tax officials should not create obstacles or pressure businesses to withdraw their refund applications. Businesses are encouraged to report any violations, and the Tax Authority will keep the whistleblower's information confidential while addressing the issues as per regulations.

The Tax Authority is also considering the establishment of a hotline to receive direct feedback. Additionally, they are researching the application of artificial intelligence to categorize resolved issues, build a database, and develop a chatbot to assist businesses in retrieving information and receiving consistent guidance.

As for the timeline for resolving tax refund applications, the Tax Authority has stated that responsibilities must be clearly defined. In cases of delays, there will be considerations for late payment fees as per regulations and the reasons for the delays.

As of September 21, the Tax Authority reported that a total of 14,058 tax refund decisions had been issued nationwide, amounting to 142.599 trillion VND, which is 144% of the same period in 2025 and achieves 82% of the annual estimate. The tax refund process continues to be enhanced through digital platforms, with 99% of applications submitted electronically. Of the total tax refund decisions, 73% are categorized under 'refund first, check later', with 87% resolved within six working days.