Claiming VAT

[Freq Flier 2013]

In the EU it's my understanding that I need to claim VAT at the last EU country prior to leaving.

I will be in Prague, Vienna, Budapest and lastly in Zurich. (In that order)

What is the last city for me to claim the VAT? I'm getting confused with the EU countries and others who are sort of part of the EU.

Thanks.

 

[Princess Fiona]

In the EU it's my understanding that I need to claim VAT at the last EU country prior to leaving.

I will be in Prague, Vienna, Budapest and lastly in Zurich. (In that order)

What is the last city for me to claim the VAT? I'm getting confused with the EU countries and others who are sort of part of the EU.

Thanks.

Budapest is the last city for you to claim VAT. As with Australian TRS claims you must have all receipts and goods for inspection. You will need to tell the shops which you purchase goods at that you will be claiming VAT as they have to give you a special signed receipt for this (the till often automatically spits out the receipt if paid for with foreign credit card and exceeds the minimum threshold for claiming)

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Thanks Princes Fiona.
Btw we did the platinum heritage desert tour in Dubai and drove past the resort you went to (trip report a few months back) looked absolutely amazing.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Just as a follow up re claiming VAT. So in Budapest I tried to claim VAT on purchases from England, Spain and Italy.
All receipts were stamped (i.e. Showed the goods and the tax claim receipts) but I couldn't get my refund and now need to send all the claims in separately my via mail. Apparently Italy can only be claimed in Italy. London has a different company doing the refunds to Budapest and Spain uses yellow paper?? So I need to use the yellow envelope and send the paperwork to them. It was all very confusing and I was unable to get my money. Now have to send it all in the mail and wait for 2 weeks. Hope it works. Overall very disorganized with no one really understanding the refund system ( I asked at all the shops and at the hotels - no one could really explain it).

 

[scottz95]

Just as a follow up re claiming VAT. So in Budapest I tried to claim VAT on purchases from England, Spain and Italy.
All receipts were stamped (i.e. Showed the goods and the tax claim receipts) but I couldn't get my refund and now need to send all the claims in separately my via mail. Apparently Italy can only be claimed in Italy. London has a different company doing the refunds to Budapest and Spain uses yellow paper?? So I need to use the yellow envelope and send the paperwork to them. It was all very confusing and I was unable to get my money. Now have to send it all in the mail and wait for 2 weeks. Hope it works. Overall very disorganized with no one really understanding the refund system ( I asked at all the shops and at the hotels - no one could really explain it).

It's not that difficult to understand, it's just a really stupid system. Basically, there's a few companies that retailers make deals with to handle their specific refunds. As long as you take the paperwork for each respective claims handler in your final city, it will be fine. I also know for a fact that thing about Italy is incorrect as I lodged a claim from Italy at Frankfurt on my way out.

I would be very careful with doing it via mail, take photos of everything you send and make sure you are very clear about which card you want the funds returned to otherwise most of the companies send you a cheque in USD which isn't exactly useful in Australia

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

In Budapest there was only one company doing refunds and its was a different company so they refused. The Italian paper has written only in Italy re claim. So again they refused to process? If Budapest is the last city how could I process in Italy?

 

[scottz95]

In Budapest there was only one company doing refunds and its was a different company so they refused. The Italian paper has written only in Italy re claim. So again they refused to process? If Budapest is the last city how could I process in Italy?

Wow, that's awful. Not my experience with Italy at all. Maybe you drew an even worse tax refund company for your purchases in Italy.

Hopefully it doesn't get more drawn out as these companies seem to suck at even just simple claims. I'm still chasing a claim submitted back in July.

 

[PLANT]

So where and how much can you claim on VAT from Milan?

 

[scottz95]

So where and how much can you claim on VAT from Milan?

I don't think there is actually a limit on how much you can claim. I think you just need to spend more than 150€ to qualify in a single transaction.

Maybe just check the form they give you before you leave the store. If it says lodge in Italy, find the nearest mailbox and send it then and there. If it's like Global Blue or Premier Tax then you should be able to do it in most airports but google your exit airport to find out what's available there and work around it.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

I seem to remember that there was a limit of $1,500?? That they can pay in cash. Otherwise it goes on the credit card either Euro or USD. I could be wrong. Re claiming it varies by country and store. Consistently inconsistent.