Monday, October 5, 2009

How To Claim Your Tax Refund

By Liam McGulliver Fletcher

Something we are all used to in this country is the concept of paying tax. We have to pay tax on the vast majority of purchases we make in our lifetime as well as every pay packet we receive. It is what fuels the economy and allows the government to distribute funds where and when needed.

A slice of the profit from every purchase we make and a percentage of every wage packet we receive goes to the government in tax and it is that which allows our economy to flow.

Ironically, it is for these same reasons that everyone hates paying tax! And why shouldn't we? We know everyone has to do it and we know if we didnt then there's a good chance anarchy would ensue, but why should that stop us having a good old moan about it?

If however you are a visitor to the UK (or a select few other EU countries) and are a resident of a country outside the EU then there is a scheme in places in certain shops that allows you to claim back any tax that you pay on your purchases!

There are 5 steps you should take in order for you to claim back your tax, and they are:

1. Look for the sticker in shop windows indicating that they participate in the tax free shopping scheme.

2. Check what the minimum purchase amount is to qualify you for a tax refund and purchase at least that amounts worth of goods.

3. Once you've bought your items (ensuring that collectively they are worth over the minimum amount to qualify) and then request and fill in the tax refund cheque form.

4. When you show your passport at customs on the way home, display the completed tax refund cheque form.

5. There will be a tax refund office nearby in the airport, or if you are in a hurry, you can send your tax refund form off to the tax refund company via post and the full amount of tax you paid on your qualifying purchases will given to you in the form of a cheque or credited to your credit card.

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