Tax-free: what is interest, and how to get it

Most of the tourists on foreign trips make purchases. Often the cost of purchased goods is much higher than conventional souvenirs. Therefore, many travelers before the trip plan their budget. However, there is a system that allows you to return part of the value of goods - tax-free. What is a tax-free? How does it work? What benefit do travelers get?

Tax-free: what is it?

In most foreign countries there is a very convenient system, called "tax-free." It works on the principle of VAT refunding from the cost of each purchased product. A good help for travelers is a taxi. What is VAT? It is a tax on value added, the amount of which is different in each state. In fact, the traveler gets a discount, because after the purchase, a part of the money is returned.

How does this system work?

The system allows you to return VAT on purchased goods, which were bought in retail stores and exported by tourists with their own hands. However, if purchases were made in online stores or books were purchased, alcohol, cigarettes, cars, tax can not be returned .

On the check from the purchase you must put a stamp. If you forgot to do this, you can get a note in the consular section of the embassy of the state in which you visited. True, the service is relatively expensive - 20 euros. You can return money only if you have checks.

Many tourists do not like that the return is a long time and that it is necessary to keep all checks. In some foreign shops an alternative to tax-free is offered. In the US, for example, the return of tax-free can not be done at all. Therefore, large retail chains offer foreigners a discount of 11%.

Who can get a tax-free?

Receiving tax-free can be done if certain conditions were met:

1. The purchase was made in the country that is a member of this system.
2. A traveler who wishes to return VAT does not have citizenship, refugee status, residence permits and work permits in the country in which the purchase was made.
3. The traveler stayed no more than 3 months on the territory of the state.
4. The cost of purchased goods exceeds the lower limit, which gives the right to refund VAT, which is determined by the country individually (in Germany it is 25 euros, and in France - 175).

It is important to know that in many countries VAT is not provided for food, other food products. This also applies to alcohol, tobacco, printed products, jewelry, precious metals, vehicles. Accordingly, tax refund from these goods is not possible.

The system of taxis works in all EU countries, in Argentina, Belarus, Great Britain, Israel, Jordan, Iceland, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Uruguay, South Africa, South Korea. However, our country does not participate in it.

Return procedure

How can I return my tax-free? First of all, it should be remembered that the goods must be purchased at outlets that are partners of this system. As a rule, on the doors of such shops there are corresponding signs. However, if you have any doubts, the information can be clarified directly from the sellers.

To begin with, you need to purchase the goods and receive a receipt for it. Provision of a tax-free receipt is the responsibility of the seller. The receipt should indicate the name of the buyer, the state and the city in which he permanently resides, the date of purchase of goods and their total value.

The corresponding columns of the receipt are filled in according to the valid passport of the buyer. Therefore it is necessary to have a photocopy or original with you. As a rule, the sellers themselves are engaged in the preparation of receipts, but it happens that they provide only a cash receipt with a stamp. Therefore, the form is sometimes filled by the buyer. It is important to note that the buyer must maintain the integrity of the packaging of the goods until the return of VAT. The same rules apply to tags, labels. Some stores put seals and stickers to decorate tax-free.

The next stage is the passage of customs control. The return is made immediately before you return to your home country. The procedure can last a long time, therefore it is necessary to arrive at the airport or train station a few hours before departure. If the goods will be carried in hand luggage, it is necessary to go to the customs point before registration. If they are in the baggage, go through customs should be after registration, because there it will be possible to hand over the suitcase. Customs officers check the safety of the package, the availability of cash vouchers, and then put stamps on receipts. If you are traveling in transit through the countries of the European Union, VAT refunds must be made at the final point before departure to the Russian Federation.

There are several ways of obtaining tax-fries:

• in an Aeroport;
• In one of the Russian partner banks of the system;
• To bank cards.

Validity

The period of validity of the system of discounts on goods purchased abroad is divided into two components. That is, tax-fries have two validity periods, namely:

• The validity period of the cashier's check.
• The validity period of printing on a cash receipt.

In each state, the validity period of cash receipts is set individually. For example, in Spain and Austria it is indefinite, while in Switzerland it is up to 1 month. However, on average, the period of validity is no more than 3 months. If we talk about printing customs, then it can operate from 1 month to six months. This period is given to the traveler in order to apply to the bank for a refund of VAT.

Percentage of tax fare

The amount of the refund is directly related to the amount of VAT set in each state. Its size can be up to 25%. To make an accurate calculation of the amount of refund, you can use the calculator of tax-free, which is available on the websites of system operators. It should also be noted that when paying cash for a service, a commission is charged. When the tax is returned to the bank card, an additional commission is charged for converting the foreign currency into rubles. As a rule, the commission is up to 5%.

Return at the airport

You can return tax-fries at the airport in the area of international departures with customs transit. In the same zone are duty-free shops. Off-return offices are equipped with special signs and signs (usually a Tax / Cash Refund). Also mandatory is the presence of one of the logos:

• Premium Tax Free.
• Global Blue Refund.

Receipts with customs stamps need to be transferred to the cashier. You must also select the desired return currency. Cash will be issued on the spot.

The procedure may take up to 20 minutes. Therefore, large airports often accumulate huge queues. To register for a flight in this case it is better 3-4 hours before departure. In extreme cases, you can return tax-free on arrival in Russia.

You can get money on a bank card. In this case, you need to write the appropriate application and specify the details of the card. The funds will be received on it within 2 months, since the refund is made by foreign banks.

Return to Russia

Where can I get tax-free? In Russia on arrival! If there was no VAT refund office at the airport of departure, you simply could not find it, or if you traveled by private car, you can return the money in banks that are partners of this system. These include:

• "First Czech-Russian Bank".
• "SMP Bank".
• Master-Bank.

Return money in Moscow and St. Petersburg can be quite simple. To do this, just write a statement in one of the above banks and attach to it checks with the stamp of the customs. Assistance in filling out the form will be provided by the bank's employees. In this case, a visit can be made within a few weeks after arrival, if the receipts are still valid. It is worth remembering that the bank charges an additional commission. In addition, your representative can refund if there is a notarized power of attorney.

Global Blue

The largest operator of the tax-fare system is the company "Global". Tax-free can be returned in their offices, which are available in 37 countries around the world. In Russia their representations are located in such cities as:

• Kaliningrad.
• Monchegorsk.
• Moscow.
• Murmansk.
• Novosibirsk.
• Olenegorsk.
• Polar dawns.
• Rostov-on-Don.
• St. Petersburg.
• Chelyabinsk.

The company provides travelers with another convenient VAT refund service. If you do not have time to process a return at the point of departure, you can ask the manager for an envelope and put checks and an application there. Also, you need to specify the details of the bank card, phone, e-mail. When the application is considered, the money will be transferred to your account.

So, so-called free-fare service has become quite popular recently. What is a tax-free? This is a VAT refund system when buying goods abroad. The return procedure does not take much time, but travelers can get some of the money spent on goods.