Hasn't anybody even thought to tell this person what VAT is in French ? That would be the first thing i would do/say !!<BR>The equivalent to VAT is TVA.<BR>Ciao

Interesting thread.<BR>You pay TVA to a store, and then someone else gives it back to you.<BR>Something does not make sense here.

Since it looks like there are several outstanding questions, I thought I would answer them. <BR>First, the refund office at Madelios is a Global Refund office. Because we are a private company processing refunds for travelers, you get back the VAT or TVA minus our commission. Whether you get the refund at the downtown location, at the airport, or through the mail, there is a commission taken.<BR> <BR>Second, the minimum purchase requirement in France is 175 Euros.<BR><BR>Third, to toogood, our business is in fact legitimate. I don't want to turn this into an ad for our company, but we process over 10 million refunds a year in over 30 countries. <BR><BR>We have a toll free number in the US so that we can answer questions about VAT/GST/TVA, etc. If any of you have any questions, you can feel free to call us 800-566-9828.<BR>

www.globalrefund.com<BR><BR>What many Americans fail to understand is that the tax varies in Western Europe on the product. It is ALWAYS already included in the price you pay. What's on the label is the final/total amount. For example, food is taxed at a much lower rate than luxury goods, which in France is at 19.6% (and that's down from 33% in the late 80's/early 90's so go figure)! The VAT (English) or TVA (French: Taxe &agrave; Valeur Ajout&eacute;e) can be refunded to foreigners who export the merchandise and have the proper forms and provided the merchant is a participant. The website above answers most questions and has a refund calculator. The only glitch is that Global Refund is making money off of you despite the fact they don't say that outright and the fact the government of the prospective country in which you're making a purchase refunds the TVA through them, i.e. Global Refund. So Global Refund is a happy camper: they're getting paid twice. But a little back is better than none.

Hi<BR><BR>just a small point .......<BR><BR>I'm sure none of you good folks would forget to declare their (now) tax free purchases to customs when they arrive home !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Eye Spy (and everyone out there),<BR><BR>Does it mean there is no VAT/TVA on a pack of postcards or a roll of film? Only on big ticket items?

TVA is on EVERYTHING in France. EVERYTHING because it is included in the price you are paying of ANY ITEM. As I stated above, there are just variations of the percentage because of the product (food v. gasoline v. luxury items). Postcards and film have TVA too. IT'S ON EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. Now a roll of film is going to be considered a luxury item, so if you purchase, say, 25 rolls and they total 200 Euros, you may be able to get a refund but I am not sure. And only in a store that subscribes to the program. It is not automatic or guaranteed. If you purchased, say, a pack of cigarettes. TVA is in that too but you just can't say at the tabac &quot;oh please refund my TVA because I'm American.&quot; It doesn't work that way.

Yes, 19.6%