Going abroad for shopping or just relaxing, you should remember about the possibility of tax free - the procedure for refunding a part of the purchase price. Tax free is not an attraction of unprecedented generosity. Everything is very simple. When the price of a product is formed, a value-added tax is mandatory included in it. This tax goes to the state budget of the country from which social payments are made and the cost of maintaining the country is paid. Since foreign citizens can not use these goods, they are entitled to receive the VAT amount back.
The amount of tax free varies depending on what percentage of the cost of the goods is VAT. So, for example, the size of the free fare in Germany is 10-15%, but for its reimbursement it is necessary to make a minimum purchase of 25 euros. It is a mistake to believe that for the return of tax free in Germany it is enough simply to purchase goods at a cost not lower than the specified amount, and then get back the money. There are a number of nuances in the procedure for the refund of fare taxes in Germany, which should be taken into account and observed. At first glance, it may seem that tax free in Germany is not happy with its interest, but it should also take into account the minimal cost of acquisition - in a number of European countries it is much higher.
Procedure of registration of free fare in Germany
- To make purchases only in shops and shopping centers marked Tax Free or Free for Tourists.
- We remind you that the purchase amount for refunding fare taxes in Germany is 25 euros.
- When paying, you need to ask the seller to issue a check for free tax. To do this, you need your passport, from which all the data is filled.
- When departing from the country at the airport, you need to find the customs office and show your purchase with checks. Please note that the goods should not be printed, all tags must be stored on it, and the purchase stamp must be affixed no earlier than 30 days before
date of departure. - You can receive the amount due to you in three ways:
- cash at the nearest VAT reimbursement point;
- to a bank account or card. In this case, when registering a check, you must specify the requisites;
- by bank check by mail.
Who has the right to receive tax free in Germany:
- persons who do not have a residence permit;
- Persons who do not have a work permit in the country;
- persons who are in the country for not more than 3 months;
- Persons who do not have refugee status in Germany.
Also, the free tax system operates in other countries, for example, Spain , Italy, Finland, etc.