Unregistered User
(10/16/03 4:26 pm)

VAT

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If you have read my LENGTHY journal (you asked for it!) you know we just returned a few weeks ago. My question is this... I thought I was ready for everything to the "inth" degree but I was not prepared for the hectic-ness of the airport nor had I gotten my VAT forms filled out. We decided to just forget it and worry about it when we got home! WRONG THING TO DO! My mother-in-law spent quit a bit of money and wants to try for the refund. I dont have a clue what to do or where to start. Has anyone had any luck in retrieving the VAT once you are home. If so, what do I do? Thanks!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1905
(10/16/03 10:55 pm)
 
Pain in the VAT

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Hi Robin,

It is possible to get your VAT tax back after returning home. Basically, they want to be sure that you have returned to your country of origin (outside the EU) and have taken your purchases with you. This is what to do:

1. Fill out all the forms.
2. Make copies of the forms and receipts for your records.
3. Get a dated, notorized letter saying that you have returned to the US or Canada or wherever from your trip to Ireland. (AAA will do this for free if you are a member and some banks provide free notary services.) On the Money Back form it says to get the form notorized or stamped by customs in your home country. That's why reading the fine print is very important.
4. Mail the form (and whatever else is required -- read the instructions thoroughly). Use the envelope provided with the forms. Even though it says on the envelope that no stamp is required, ask at the post office to be certain that is sufficient.
5. Mail in your forms and prepare to wait.

I have done this frequently and do eventually get VAT back.

Michele

Ande
Unregistered User
(10/17/03 10:35 am)

VAT

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Hi Robin:

By chance, are your forms from two different agencies? I'm looking for an address for the one that is not Global Refund. I don't know its name. If you have any info for me, I would so appreciate it! I have never gotten my refund for the purchases I made in June (paperwork left in the drop box at DUB). I can't find any trace of this company on the net.

Thanks!
Ande

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1908
(10/17/03 2:16 pm)
 
VAT

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Hi Ande,

If it's not Global Refund perhaps it is the following:

Money Back (orange and white form)
Tax Refund
P.O. Box 167
Cork, Ireland
Phone: (021) 438-1171
Email: info@moneyback.ie

Michele

Ande
Unregistered User
(10/17/03 2:34 pm)

VAT

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Thanks Michele, I will try that. I followed the instructions exactly when I turned in my stuff at the airport. I of course had no problem with Global since they give you your money right then and there.

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(10/18/03 9:23 pm)

VAT

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Ande,
I don't know how long you've been waiting but it took 9 weeks for my refund to post to my credit card. I had forgotten all about it so it was a nice surprise!
Martha

Ande
Unregistered User
(10/20/03 10:18 am)

VAT

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Martha- It's been 18 weeks since I dropped off my forms!

Michele- Thanks to your most recent information, I have been in touch with someone at Moneyback. Thank you. Unfortunately, they are giving me the runaround saying they can't track my refund without reference numbers. I didn't make copies of anything at the airport. I just filled out the forms, and dropped them off. I think it's a raw deal that they fail to give to some people the money they have coming to them. I plan to file a complaint with the appropriate Irish governmental entity. On my next trip, I will make a point of trying to only purchase from stores that have the Global refunds, since they were legit.

Ande

Ande
Unregistered User
(10/20/03 11:57 am)

Saga

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I just got more info from the people at "Money Back." They say they are not the company with the drop box next to Global at Dublin Airport. The saga continues....

A

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(10/20/03 1:40 pm)
 
Taxback

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Ande,
It must be Taxback. The Shannon & Dublin Airport site shows Global and Taxback as the ones located at the airports. They show only a phone number for them, no website.
353 21 321090
Good luck!
Martha

Ande
Unregistered User
(10/22/03 8:59 am)

VAT

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Thanks Martha.

Ande