Value Added Tax

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with the Value Added Tax (VAT) in France? I once bought several rather expensive Goebel/Hummel statues in Hidelberg Germany and was told that I would get a refund of the tax if I took it home outside Europe. I got the form from the store all filled out....found the counter to stamp it in the airport....sent it in but never got the $90 refund. I was tempted to buy a chanderlier in Pargue but was told that I would llikely never see the refund either. Does anyone have any experience with the VAT in France just in case my wife gets the urge to buy an expensive handbag? What type of items does it cover and how do I do it? It sounds good in theory but does it work?

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Yes, it works. I have been refunded on my credit card many times.

The VAT refund is applicable when you spend more than 183 € in one shop at one time. It does not include food, wine and tobacco products. Secondly, it is only applicable on what you take out of the country with you, nothing shipped separately.

You must apply by asking the clerk at the store if they have the documents for the “detaxe du VAT” (VAT refund). You will show the clerk your passport and you will be given the documents. You sign the documents in front of the clerk and take them along with an envelope addressed to the store with you to the airport.

At the airport you will look for the “détaxe” booth near the security points leading to the departure gates. You give the documents to the official, show him your merchandise, he will stamp your documents and return to you the pink and green copies. You keep the green, you mail the pink to the store in an envelope they have provided, at the mailbox in the airport. Your credit card account should be credited within four months.

Some large department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps have detaxe offices right there where you can get your refund immediately.

Les

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Just so you%26#39;ll know... VAT is called %26quot;TVA%26quot; in France.

More people have asked questions about this issue on this forum; if you use the %26quot;search%26quot; function, you can find more tips.

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