To claim a Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund while traveling, purchase goods from participating stores, ensure a minimum spend is met, and request a tax invoice. Before departing (via air or sea), use airport self-help kiosks or specialized apps (like TRS in Australia or eTRS in Singapore) to submit claims with your passport, boarding pass, and goods for potential inspection.
You must present the purchased items, original receipts, and your passport at the GST Refund Counter before check-in at the airport. ⚠️ Not all retailers allow receipts to be combined, and some may not offer refunds on both general and consumable goods. Always check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Requirements to make a claim
Claiming GST on Personal Travel: Businesses can only claim GST on flights taken for business purposes. Trying to claim GST on personal travel or combining business and personal travel without proper segregation can result in penalties.
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.
How to claim a refund. To make a claim, you must: have spent $300 or more (including GST) with a single business at a store or a chain of stores covered by the same Australian Business Number (ABN) purchase goods no more than 60 days before departing Australia.
Many travelers visiting the United States are surprised to learn that there is no nationwide VAT refund system like in Europe or Asia. Instead of VAT, the USA uses state-level sales tax, and most states do not offer any tax refund in USA for tourist.
The following documentary evidence is required to claim a refund under GST by registered tax payer.
What is the process to claim ITC on flight tickets? To claim ITC, businesses must provide their GST number during booking, obtain a GST-compliant invoice after the flight, maintain the invoice and itinerary, and then claim ITC in their GST returns.
Office supplies, equipment, rental costs, and professional services are examples of expenses on which input tax can be claimed. Further, input tax cannot be claimed on the following expenses: private use, non-business entertainment, and motor vehicle expenses.
1. How can I claim refund of excess amount available in Electronic Cash ledger?
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.
Unlike VAT, which is charged at multiple stages, GST is collected by the seller when the final consumer makes a purchase. For example, if a consumer buys a product, they pay GST on the final price, and the seller remits the entire tax amount to the government. There are no input tax credits for previous stages.
You are eligible for the GST/HST credit if you meet all of the following conditions:
When it comes to travelling internationally and claiming business expenses, your overseas expenses will not included GST.
Notably, most online ticketing platforms, such as BookMyShow or PayTM, already include the applicable GST in the displayed ticket prices. This means that consumers do not have to worry about calculating the GST separately while making their bookings.
Can I claim GST on flight tickets for personal travel? No, GST cannot be claimed for booking tickets for personal travel. Input Tax Credit (ITC) is given only for flight tickets booked under the company GSTIN with correct invoicing for business purposes.
claim in person by showing your passport, boarding pass, goods and original invoices to the TRS Facility on the day of departure:
You must have a tax invoice to claim a GST credit for purchases that cost more than A$82.50 (including GST). Your supplier has 28 days to provide you with a tax invoice after you request one. Wait until you receive it before you claim the GST credit, even if this is in a later reporting period.
Payment amounts are recalculated every July
For example, the information from your 2024 tax return determines the GST/HST credit amount you get for the payment period from July 2025 to June 2026. You could get up to: $533 if you are a single individual. $698 if you are married or have a common-law partner.
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.
In the USA, the opportunity to claim a VAT refund is generally reserved for foreign businesses and tourists who have incurred VAT on eligible expenses within VAT-imposing countries. US businesses may also seek VAT refunds from their business expenses in these countries.
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) allows Australians and overseas visitors to claim a refund (subject to certain conditions) of the goods and services tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods bought in Australian and then taken out of Australia.