November 3, 2009
How To Claim A VAT Tax Refund
Any person visiting the UK or a few other surrounding countries is entitled to shop with tax-free discount at the shops that take part in the tax free scheme. Shops that participate in this scheme usually have the tax free logo outside to let passers by know. In order to be eligible for the tax free scheme, you must be a resident of a country outside the EU and a visitor to the UK, this is why many people like coming to the UK to shop for goods at heavily discounted prices.
The minimum amount that you have to spend to qualify for the tax varies from shop to shop and country to country. When the purchase is complete you will have to bring proof of the purchase to the Customs office when leaving the country and get it stamped. Once your tax-free cheque is approved and stamped there are many ways in which you can claim your refund. Many people choose to have their tax refund credited to their credit card or sent straight to their bank account.
Shopping in the UK has never been so opportunistic for people from outside the EU, so if you are from outside the EU and are planning a trip to the UK, you should be sure to allow space in your luggage to keep items that you have bought in tax free shops separate from your other goods.
Claiming your tax back is very simple, when in the tax free shop in the UK, you should ask the shop assistant for a tax free cheque (after having spent the minimum amount of course) and then when you go through customs before leaving the UK, you should get the cheque stamped by the customs officer for approval, and then upon arriving at your destination airport, you should show your stamped refund cheque along with your passport and credit card to get the full amount of tax you paid credited back to your card or to your bank account.
The tax free shopping facility is available at many stores for tourists from various countries so that they can shop across the world in a store of their liking and interest. You may not enjoy the same benefit if you are a resident of the place. This tax free shopping is a facility or a privilege only the visitors to the countries can enjoy and save a lot of money on goods when they are travelling abroad.
For more information on tax free shopping London UK visit gbtaxfree.com by clicking on travelex VAT refund
Filed under Taxes by Liam McGulliver Fletcher


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