VAT refund?
#1
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VAT refund?
We went to Ireland in June. I completed the proper VAT forms for my purchases but the VAT office at the airport was closed (we returned to the US on a Sunday). There was a box with a sign instructing travellers to put their refund paperwork in it, which we did. I still haven't rec'd my refund. My question is...how long is the wait for a VAT refund for Ireland and should I just assume at this late date that we won't get it? When we travelled to England 2 yrs ago it only took about 6 weeks to get the refund but the office was "manned" at the time. Thanks.
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Normally the paperwork must be stamped by the revenue officer before you drop it in the box. Did the sign simply say "place your completed VAT forms in this box" - or did it say something like "due to the Tax desk being closed, place the paperwork in this box for processing". It makes a big difference.
If the paperwork is not stamped I don't think the VAT can be refunded. But if the sign indicated it was OK w/o the stamp, then you might still get credit.
If the paperwork is not stamped I don't think the VAT can be refunded. But if the sign indicated it was OK w/o the stamp, then you might still get credit.
#3
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Hmmmm...I don't recall the exact wording of the sign. All I can say is the box was absolutely full, and at the time I thought it was very odd because it was awfully early in the morning for it to be so jammed. What would my options have been, though? Oh well, I guess I will just chalk it up to another one of those "lessons learned". Thanks for the input.
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I recall filling out a form and just dropping it in a box at the airport because no customs agent was around to verify the purchase which was in any case in the checked in luggage. I did not get the VAT back for months, and one day received a bill for the amount of the VAT. I checked with the commercial section of the Irish Consulate, and eventually was refunded the VAT. The consulate told me that they had other reports of similar problems, so I think that someone in the non-governmental agency that handled the VAT refunds figured out that it was possible to collect rather than pay off.
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On 2-trips in 2001 & 2002 it took about 3-months. My most recent trip May'03 the girl at the TaxBack desk at Shannon airport asked me: "cash or credit?" I told her I had paid for my purchases with my MasterCard and said: "credit!" It showed up on my c/c statement about 2-months later.
I prefer buying stuff where they give you an instant VAT refund (Beleeks, in Ennis or Irish Handicrafts in Limerick City, for example) but sometimes it's impossible.
I prefer buying stuff where they give you an instant VAT refund (Beleeks, in Ennis or Irish Handicrafts in Limerick City, for example) but sometimes it's impossible.
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I dropped my forms in a similar box at Shannon when I departed at the end of July. The refund was reflected on a credit card statement that arrived this week. So, almost three months...but it did come through.
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Hi, this question is somewhat related to this thread. Hope someone would be so kind to answer it.
I am student in the UK from Malaysia. Last year I bought a PDA and got VAT refund for it at Heathrow airport. I'm still studying here though. I just found out that I can only claim VAT refund if I do not return to the UK.
Which means I am in trouble! Because I've claimed VAT refund even though I'm not eligible. Does anyone know what penalty/criminal punishment that I might risk? And does anyone know what I can do to avoid trouble? I'll be studying in the UK for a couple more years and I want them to be trouble-free.
Cheers
khim.
I am student in the UK from Malaysia. Last year I bought a PDA and got VAT refund for it at Heathrow airport. I'm still studying here though. I just found out that I can only claim VAT refund if I do not return to the UK.
Which means I am in trouble! Because I've claimed VAT refund even though I'm not eligible. Does anyone know what penalty/criminal punishment that I might risk? And does anyone know what I can do to avoid trouble? I'll be studying in the UK for a couple more years and I want them to be trouble-free.
Cheers
khim.
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