VAT Refund for EU Citizens studying abroad for 1 year only
Sorry if I'm new to this board and not sure how questions are to be phrased. I'm British and am hoping to study in the US next year for 1 year. I'm not sure if I will stay the full year as my academic term is only about 10 months long, but will probably get an F-1 Visa which should be for about a year. I will only be buying a one way ticket as I will buy a return ticket closer to the time. I was hoping to buy a new phone sometime in the near future and note that phones in the US tend to be about 15% cheaper than phones here for the exact same thing. However I remembered that foreigners can claim VAT back which would make phones here cheaper.
Is this possible if I'm natively British?
Best Answer
You are asking about the VAT Retail Export Scheme. This is a copy/paste from Notice 704 (link below) you would be eligible if you fulfill the conditions:
2.4.3 Entitled EU residents For the purposes of this scheme only, a customer who’s established in the EU but intends to permanently leave the EU for a minimum period of 12 months may also be treated as an overseas visitor. To qualify under this provision, the customer must:
intend to leave the UK with the goods by the last day of the third month following that in which the goods were purchased for an immediate destination outside the EU
remain outside the EU for a period of at least 12 months,
the customer must prove their eligibility to use the scheme by providing evidence of their intention to remain outside the EU for at least 12 months, typically this evidence would be one of the following: overseas work permit approved visa application residency permit
export the goods having produced them, their receipts, and the VAT refund document to a customs officer at the point of departure from the EU. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-retail-export-scheme-notice-704#para2-4
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Can you get VAT refund after leaving Europe?
Can you get a VAT refund after leaving Europe? Yes, you have to leave Europe to claim your VAT refund. If you merely cross a border within the European Union, you won't be eligible: the items have to leave the taxable area, not just the country where you purchased them, in order to count as an export.Can I get VAT refund when I leave Germany?
The VAT can be refunded if the merchandise is purchased and exported by a customer whose residence is outside the European Union. Please note that in order to qualify for tax-refund the merchandise has to be exported within three months of purchase.Can I get VAT refund when I leave UK?
If you are visiting Britain, you can sometimes reclaim this VAT cost before you leave. You do this through HMRC's Retail Export Scheme, also known as tax-free shopping. It only applies to goods you buy in the UK to take home to another country. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to services.How do I get my full VAT refund?
The big refund agencies have facilities at all the major EU airports; sometimes, they're at a currency exchange. Just show them your stamped customs forms and your passport and you'll get your refund, minus a fee. VAT refund agencies like Global Blue have locations in major airports where you can get your VAT refund.VAT Refund - *Everything You Need to Know* | AmandaRaeRevue
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