Ash UK/US

When leaving the UK there is a way of reclaiming VAT paid by non-EU residents. Does anyone know if the opposite is true? My sister is coming over later this year and is planning on buying a few things for example a camera.. is there anyway she can claim the sales tax back? not that it is a major deal but every penny counts.

Ash

BritGuyTN

no

there is no national VAT

fatbrit

Order online from a supplier that doesn't charge sales tax in your state.

Ash UK/US

Yeap I thought of that too... I was just interested to see if there was anything similar to the VAT refund for stuff bought local... which it seems there is not.

Thanks for replying

RoadWarriorFromLP

Louisiana is the only state that refunds sales taxes to foreign tourists.

Of course, there are a few states such as Oregon and Delaware that have no sales tax at all. And as noted above, sales tax is not charged for mail order purchases made by out-of-state residents.

FWIW, Canada has stopped providing refunds for the GST (national sales tax) paid by foreign tourists, so a cross border shopping trip won't provide any relief.

Ray

If an out-of-state seller fails to collect sales tax, it is your responsibility to comply with Florida law. You must submit payment directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. This payment is required by section 212.06(8), Florida Statutes. To file and pay use tax, complete an Out-of-State Purchase Return (Form DR-15MO). If the tax owed is less than one dollar, you do not have to file a return.

http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/consumer/


I am always sending them money .....

penguinsix

No, there is no refund, but watch out for some scumbag retailers who will tell you there is (only for you to discover at the airport that they were lying).

If your visitor is on a diplomatic visa, then they don't have to pay sales tax at time of purchase.

danfan

Same in Pennsylvania. You must file a Use Tax return for out of state purchases and pay the 6% to PA that you would have paid if purchased in state. Form PA-1 for people without a sales tax license and PA-3 for those with a license.

mayhemuk

If she knows the product she wants you could see if you can get it only free of sale tax but she needs to budget for import duty on her return to the UK I think.
Clearly people swan through the green channel all the time presumably with new items. Just remember to remove all tags etc. Don't bring the things in their boxes (If the camera is expensive enough I'd even mail the manual etc home rather than carry it through) Likelihood of being pulled is remote but it does exist and not only will you have the duty to pay but possibly a fine.

Not trying to be a naysayer (wife and I have done the empty suitcase oneway) but something to consider.

Have fun.

Bluegrass Lass

Actually, you will get charged sales tax from some on-line retailers. This is usually the case if said retailer has a brick-and-morter store in the same state as yourself.

KY & OH also have use taxes you need to pay if you do not pay sales tax on an item, but I can't say I've known anyone that actually does that.

Bob

I think most states are like that, but comeon, who really admits to filling that in at tax time?

hobbes79

Could do what we do for any large purchase... drive to New Hampshire

Bob

get a lot of booze then do ya?