chmaiden

hi
going back to the uk for 2 weeks in their summer - can i buy stuff now on the internet and get it shipped to my mums in london and then pick it up in the summer and claim the vat back when i leave to come back to oz?
c

lonndongeek

No. You can't claim the VAT back from anything that you buy online. You can only claim back VAT for items that you buy from physical shops and even then the shop has to be willing to either do the refund or participate in a scheme (usually Global Refund).

See here - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/vatre...VATRES2150.htm for more info.

Cheers

Steve

sassie

No, you have to be physically present when purchasing the goods and also ascertain whether the company participates in the VAT refund scheme. The retailer will fill out a VAT registration form while you wait which you have to sign and hand it in at the airport when you leave. Just a word of warning, make sure the company fills out the form correctly and completely. Last year, we were the unfortunate victims of incompetent staff, who filled in the form incorrectly and we were not paid the VAT refund when we turned up at the airport. A little bit annoyed to say the least.

Cookster

So does that mean that when my hubby goes back to UK in June and buys half of M & S he can claim all the tax back?

lonndongeek

If he spends above the threshold (set by the individual store or the scheme they use) he'll be able to claim back the VAT less whatever "administration" fee is charged.