stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 36
(9/25/03 1:50 pm)
 
taxes returned?

---

What is the taxes thing all about - i think it's VAT? you keep all you receipts and turn them in??? anybody?

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 115
(9/25/03 1:27 pm)
 
Re: taxes returned?

---

When you make a purchase , you will be given a VAT TaxBack or Tax Refund slip. (* I always told the sales person as I was giving them my money/CC that I needed the VAT slip *)

Then , when you are waiting to get on the plane, you drop them off at the VAT booths ( one for each type of form). If you paid in cash, you will get cash back. If you paid by Credit card you will get it back on a future statement.

I usually try to fill in the VAT forms as I go along - say every 3 nights , and then finish them up the night before we leave. That way I am not trying to fill them out at the airport, when you may or may not have enough time or space to do it.

Keep all of your VAT forms and reciepts in one place ( I brought along one of those clear plastic legal envelope things with the string to keep it closed) You will get a formal envelope for each of the VAT schemas. Keep like forms together.

It really is quite simple - just takes a few minutes to get your money back.

There is no minimum purchase to qualify ( although I declined the VAT info for the 5euro ring I bought - just wasn't worth the time to fill out the form for a few cents )

REMIND YOUR HUSBAND / TRAVEL MATES - to always get and keep the VAT forms.

Debbie

Ande
Unregistered User
(9/25/03 1:53 pm)
 
VAT Refund

---

I traveled in June and still have gotten back my refund! I'm guessing I won't ever!

Ande

mikey
Unregistered User
(9/25/03 4:08 pm)

vat

---

I've heard where it has taken as long as 6 months

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 37
(9/25/03 4:21 pm)
 
taxes returned?

---

what does this exclude? do you get reciepts reciepts just for solid items - not food? alcohol?

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 116
(9/25/03 5:11 pm)

Re: taxes returned?

---

The definition I think is 'non-consumable items'
This excludes Food, Drink, Car rental, B&B/Hotels,Tours, admissions.

includes: crystal, pottery, sweaters, souveniers etc - Anything you can take home with you.

Allison
Unregistered User
(9/25/03 7:20 pm)

VAT

---

We went in April and I don't think we ever got ours back. (It didn't amount to much anyway.) It's a nice little bonus to get something back but I never let VAT convince me to buy anything one way or another. Some stores (ie Blarney Woolen Mills) will give you the vat back instantly. Sorry to say I was shopped out by the time we got to the Bunratty store this year. (I like the Blarney location better.)

Dude
Unregistered User
(9/25/03 8:08 pm)

VAT

---

I used a credit card for all my major purchases (shopping, shopping, shopping) and the vendor took the VAT off at the point of sale, if I am remembering right. It was more than 5 minutes ago that I was in Ireland. You need to keep the receipts if you pay cash. And yes, fill them out as you go along.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/26/03 5:53 am)

shopping

---

My wife and I did most of our shopping towards the end of our trip in Bunratty's Blarney Woolen Mills store. Huge selection of stuff and they also gave us credit for the VAT during checkout.
I even enjoyed the duty free shops at Shannon airport.
That's where I got my Donegal cap. Great selection.
It helps to get to the airport earlier to do the shopping.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/26/03 6:01 am)

vat

---

I forgot to mention a purchase we did in Kilkenny.
Upon filling out the VAT form, the customer service folks pointed to the desk to place the form. The thing that bothered me, at that time, was that the desk is unmanned(no person present). A lot of personal (sensitive ) information is put on this form. I've always wondered about the security of this system. Unless it has changed since I've been their.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/26/03 6:08 am)

form at airport

---

Duh, after reading my last post, I meant the form was submitted at the Shannon airport. Did not know if that was clear.
-gary

cjmford
Unregistered User
(10/1/03 2:26 am)

taxes returned?

---

We turned in our VAT forms at Dublin airport with our credit card number. This was 8/25. I just received our credit card bill with most of our Ireland charges, AND THE TAX REFUND was already credited on the statement. No problem here.

Chris

the other Robin
Unregistered User
(10/1/03 4:01 pm)
 
Vat??

---

We were just there last week and I didn't know I had to have my forms filled out before I got there...DUH! By the time I figured that out, I didn't have time. I am going to forget it this time and chalk it up to experience. Ask for the forms at each spot, keep them together and have them filled out before you get to the airport!

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 124
(10/1/03 4:23 pm)

Re: Vat??

---

DON'T THROW THEM AWAY YET!!!!!


I believe you can fill them in and drop them in the mail.

Read the fine print on the VAT envelopes. Or if you have Michele's book , I think she may have something about this in there.

mikey
Unregistered User
(10/1/03 7:34 pm)
 
vat forms

---

I think you have to get them notarized if you do not turn them in at the airport. So if it is more then $10 approx it is worth it.

eyps
Registered User
Posts: 7
(10/3/03 10:47 am)

notary

---

Check w/your local bank, I believe all of them have a notary on staff at all times. My bank will notarize anything for FREE for their customers.

Dude
Unregistered User
(10/3/03 7:43 pm)

Notary service

---

And if you're ever in Kingsville, Texas I will be happy to notarize anything for free for a fellow Ireland lover!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1875
(10/3/03 10:21 pm)

Re: taxes returned?

---

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes it takes a long time to get the VAT back. If you do not get it back I would suggest writing to the company you bought the items from. They have the option of choosing the company they use for tax back. If they get lots of complaints about the company they use perhaps they will change it. Also, you should complain to the Irish government and Tourism Ireland if you don't get your money back. Let me know and I will supply additional details and contact info.

Michele

P.S. the other Robin Please do read the fine print on your forms. Some let you get a notarized letter saying that you have returned to the US with your purchases. I do this all the time because I am usually too rushed at the airport to turn mine in. The only downside is that the free postage does not apply to sending it from the US. If you are an AAA member they will do this service for free.