We're entering our final week of a month stay in Paris, and I need some information re. recovering VAT. What, specifically, are the requirements? I've heard that it only applies to large purchases (we don't have any - we're a non-shoppers). We have paid VAT occasionally for our small purchases at local markets, which over the course of a month add up, but no large single purchase.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I don't know the specfics, or how you actually claim, but the ordinary tourist can only reclaim the VAT paid on goods which are permanently exported. That means you cannot claim for accommodation, food and the other things which you have consumed while in France.

You say you paid VAT occasionally. In fact, you will have paid it on very many occasions, but only seldom would it have been show separately on an invlice.

This tells you all about it:
http://tinyurl.com/5soglz

You need to have spent at least €175 in a single store to qualify, and be permanently exporting the goods concerned.

Les
For starters, where do you live? Are you going to leave Paris and return to your home?

If you live outside of the EU, maybe you can recover your VAT but again, it depends on the purchase.

I've done this often. I lived outside of the EU (Sweden, at that time)and I could recover the VAT. But, the items I bought were more than a minimum price. At that time I would have to spend at least 500 francs or more, at one store. This purchase will have to be in your hand when you pass the customs office in the airport. So, you're going to be carrying the purchase in your luggage.

You will have to get the store owner fill out this form and have you sign this by the customs officers. Then, you will have to put this into an envelope and return to the store. Make sure you have a stamped envelope ready for sending this back to the store.

When the store owners receive your paperwork, they will give you a payment which the VAT was paid previously. But, this owner will take a chunk of this money for their troubles. Eventually this money will arrive at your bank account.

In my case, I bought lots of clothes in Paris as well as electronics. These were hi-market items and the VAT was worth seeking.

Small stores probably will not handle this trouble. Casual purchases are a bit of trouble. Galleries Lafayette (sp?)has/had a department which will fill out the paperwork. Make sure you have your passport when you fill out the papers.

In any case, you're going to have a nice visit to Paris.

Blackduff

To get VAT refunded, two conditions must apply:

1. VAT must have been charged. The procedures for some aspects of VAT differ between EU member nations, but the general principles are standard: it's perfectly legal for small traders to fall outside the VAT net altogether. In local markets, you're more likely to encounter such people than anywhere else.
2. There must be a receipt specifying the VAT paid, withn certain tax information as well. I've hardly ever encountered a market trader set up to produce any kind of receipt

Additionally, food is usually outside the refund system: VAT on food is usually too trivial to faff about with in countries that charge it, and isn't charged at all in some countries anyway

Under your circumstances, I'd invest my energy in seeing more of France.

Hi L,

Forget it.

You have to buy a lot **in one shop** to get VAT back.

As most of the others say - VAT refunds really don't apply in your situation.

You have paid VAT on almost everything. But just paying it does not get you a refund. You have to decide at the time of your purchase (if the € amount qualifies) and get the tax forms from the merchant at that time.

Just collecting receipts for all your miscellaneous small purchases doesn't cut it . . . . . .

Thank you all for your replies.
It's pretty clear that I fall into the "don't bother" category when it comes to reclaiming my VAT. It's all been food or groceries. Although my wife thinks this would be a great opportunity to buy her some nice jewelry, just so I'll have some VAT to reclaim (but that fall into the "fat chance" category).

Listen to me, Les. Buy your wife some nice jewelry. Show her you appreciate her. Think of it as an investment.

Les - buy the jewellery, it'll be cheaper than a divorce

My wife says that after 42 years of marriage, she'd drop dead from shock if I bought her jewelry, so I'm saving that as an option if I need a way out!

Les:

What does your wife propose to buy for you?