My boyfriend and I visited Italy about two months ago. While we were there we bought a few items that were eligible for a tax refund. This was our first trip out of the country so this refund business was all new to us. The sales reps from two of the stores we bought goods from told us we can get an immediate refund by going to a duty free shop once we get back into the U.S. Well to our surprise they were wrong. We also didn't know we had to get a customs stamp on the tax refund form before leaving Italy. Does anyone know what I can do to get my refund?? I was on the U.S. customs website and it said some countries will accept the tax form if it is notarized. Please help. Thanks

It is too late now. Paperwork must be completed before you leave the EU (unless Italy has some provision for you to bring the forms and merchandise to one of its consulates in the US, which I doubt).
US Customs authorities have no say in this matter because what you are seeking is refund of taxes you paid to another country. Have you serached the Italian Embassy's website for the answer to your question? Only there would you get authoritative informatin on what Italy might accept in this situation.

Sales reps, if they don't travel, may not know about refunds.

When I worked in a store in San Francisco, our newly hired casier was telling European tourists they will get their tax back at the airport. The owner didn't know about her saying it till he started getting "thank you" letters from the customers

As already mentioned - you needed to present the forms and the merchandise at the airport before flying home.

You are out of luck this time but now you know how it works for your next trip.

Does anyone know if there's a time limit on when this paperwork has to be processed?

DH was in Italy this past April and he has the necessary form filled out from retailer but his flight was so early (7am out of Rome I believe) so VAT desk at the airport was not open when he checked in. We're going back in early September for a personal trip and wondered if it's possible to submit the paperwork at that time or whether we're out of luck??

Does anyone know?

The time limit, according to the website of the Italian customs agency, is 3 months
http://www.agenziadogane.it/italiano...nglese.htmtime

It looks like you will be too late to claim refund on April purchases.