To get a VAT refund as a traveler, shop at VAT-eligible stores, get a tax-free form and receipts, keep goods unused in your luggage, and get a customs stamp at the airport before leaving the country, then process the form at a VAT refund desk or mail it for a cash or credit refund, minus fees. Eligibility requires being a non-resident, meeting minimum spend, and exporting the goods within a set timeframe (often 3 months).
🛠 Step-by-Step Guide to Claim Your VAT Refund in the USA
The United States Government does not refund sales tax to foreign visitors. The foreign country in which you paid the Value Added Tax (VAT) is responsible for refunding the tax. Some countries won't refund after the fact, so check with the Foreign Embassies & Consulates office of the country you visited.
The following conditions apply: The customer must provide proof of residence outside the EU (e.g. non-EU passport or residence permit). The goods must be taken out of the EU within 3 months of their purchase. The tourist must provide a stamped VAT refund document proving this.
HMRC processes your repayment automatically when you submit your VAT Return. Your repayment will go direct to your bank account if you gave HMRC bank details for your repayment. Otherwise HMRC will send you a cheque (also known as a 'payable order').
(You are considered an exporting tourist when you purchase goods and take them with you home, therefore becoming eligible for a refund of the VAT that you paid during the purchase.)
The details on how to get a refund vary per country, but generally you'll need to do the following: Have the merchant completely fill out the refund document; they'll need your passport (or a photo of it) to complete the form. Hang on to the paperwork and original sales receipt until you file it (see later).
After you are done with the shopping and have collected the receipt for all the products, ask the shopkeeper for the VAT refund form. This is the form that you have to show at the customs and VAT refund desk at the airport to get your refund.
The application for a refund must be lodged with the VAT Refund Administrator's offices. These offices are situated at Johannesburg, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports, various land border posts and designated commercial harbours.
Receipts, tax-free tags, passport, credit card, and goods must be shown at validation kiosks or counters. 85% of VAT is refunded after deducting fees; paid via cash (limit AED 35,000) or card. Goods must be unused and carried with the traveller services, food, or used items don't qualify.
You should contact the retailer or refund agent about claims for refunds of VAT. Revenue does not administer the Retail Export Scheme or give refunds directly to tourists. Retailers or refund agents can direct enquiries to their Revenue office.
At the airport, proceed to the eTRS self-help kiosk with your goods. For purchases that you plan to check-in, before you check-in your luggage, you need to apply for GST refund at the eTRS self-help Kiosk located at departure check-in hall (before immigration).
To request a refund of your withholdings for previous tax years, please contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for Federal tax withholding refund and your State Revenue Office for state tax withholding refund. If we are not currently withholding State tax, you must call your State Tax office for a refund.
VAT refunds let tourists get back Value Added Tax paid on goods they buy in countries like the EU, requiring forms from stores, proof of export (customs stamp at the airport before checking bags), and claiming the refund at airport desks, usually for unused items taken home, though the US doesn't offer this. The process involves getting an exemption form, keeping goods unused with tags on, getting customs to validate forms (often pre-security), and then processing the refund with operators like Global Blue, allowing for cash or credit card returns minus fees.
You must get a VAT refund form and sign this, with the vendor, at item purchase. Usually, the vendor has these forms available and will know what to do. In case there is any doubt, just know that both you and the vendor must sign the same form.
Do US citizens pay VAT? U.S. citizens only pay VAT when in Europe or another country with a value-added tax. The U.S. does not operate a VAT system. Instead, it applies sales tax at the final point of sale, which is collected by the seller and remitted to the appropriate state or local authority.
Keep accurate records
To claim back VAT, you need maintain a VAT account, including the summary of VAT you've charged and paid. You also need valid VAT invoices from your suppliers to make a claim. Make sure your records are complete and up to date, including all receipts and invoices.
A W-2 form from each employer. Other earning and interest statements (1099 and 1099-INT forms) Receipts for charitable donations; mortgage interest; state and local taxes; medical and business costs; and other tax-deductible expenses if you are itemizing your return.
If your business is relatively simple, you may well find that you're able to complete your VAT return each quarter without any help.
Therefore, if a non-resident visitor to the United States purchases any taxable items and takes possession of the goods at the retailer's location, sales tax is due and there is generally no refund of the sales tax paid simply because the goods will be removed from the United States.
🛫 At the Airport:
Present your original passport, tax invoices, completed refund forms, and purchased goods for customs inspection. After verification, the refund will be processed — either credited to your card or paid via a designated method, depending on the system in place at that airport.
AT THE CUSTOMS AND VAT REFUND OFFICES Present the Tax Free for which you want to be refunded, the passport, the flight booking or boarding card and goods purchased and follow the procedure described on the next page.
Here, we explore the most common VAT mistakes business owners make and how to avoid them.
You cannot reclaim VAT for: anything that's only for personal use. goods and services your business uses to make VAT -exempt supplies. the cost of entertaining or providing hospitality to people you do business with (for example theatre or sports tickets)