To get a VAT (now primarily GST) refund in India as a tourist, you must make purchases from registered retailers, obtain tax invoices/forms, and present these along with your passport and goods at the airport's designated GST Refund Counter before departing. Ensure the goods are unused and the tax form is approved by customs.
Who is eligible to claim a tax refund in India? Non-Indian citizens holding a valid international passport, visiting India on a tourist visa or under social visit status, and departing from designated international airports are eligible to apply for a tax refund on qualifying purchases.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are eligible for GST refunds on specific transactions. Primarily, health and life insurance premiums paid from NRE accounts are eligible for claiming GST refunds. Claiming a refund of GST paid involves registration on the GST portal and filing the RFD-01 form.
The documentation required to support a VAT refund claim usually includes original invoices and receipts, proof of export for goods, and sometimes a completed VAT refund form from the relevant tax authority.
Eligibility Criteria for the Income Tax Refund
A VAT refund lets VAT-registered UK businesses reclaim VAT paid on eligible business expenses, usually at the standard 20% rate. You must be VAT registered (or eligible under the overseas VAT Refund Scheme) and have valid VAT invoices to make a successful claim.
GST law also provides for grant of provisional refund of 90% of the total refund claim, in case the claim relates for refund arising on account of zero rated supplies. The provisional refund would be paid within 7 days after giving the acknowledgement.
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.
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.
Maximum marginal rate is the highest rate of tax at any income level. This means for those with incomes between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore, 39% will be the highest applicable tax rate, and for those with incomes above Rs 5 crore, it will be 42.74% — the highest tax rate since 1992.
Tourists buying goods from retailers who participate in the electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) may claim a refund of the GST paid on purchases made in Singapore.
HOW DO I MAKE A CLAIM FOR REFUND? You can claim a refund on the VAT return itself by completing Box 23 except in the case of appellate orders. In this case the tax department will issue a Form within 15 days of receipt of the appellate order.
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).
So it's usually high-ticket items, like jewelry or fine clothing, that qualify for a VAT refund, not a paperback novel or suntan lotion. There are also a number of goods and services that are not eligible for refunds, including hotel rooms and meals.
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) allows you to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you pay on certain goods purchased in Australia. The TRS located in T2 departures is after customs in the main tax and duty free store.
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).
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)
Once the validation has been confirmed on the screen or at the office, you can obtain the refund directly at the Tax Free offices in the boarding areas.
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.
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 India, the 30% income tax rate generally applies to individuals earning above ₹24 Lakhs (under the old regime/default for some) or ₹15 Lakhs (under the new optional regime for FY 2025-26) and to firms (as a flat rate), while certain income types like lottery winnings, online gaming, and virtual digital assets (like crypto) are taxed at a flat 30% for everyone, regardless of total income.
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: