Reclaiming tax on items purchased in the USA?

leamingtonspaceman

This is my first post here on the forums so firstly...hello all:hello:

I was recently on holiday in the USA in Washington DC. I spent a few quid:eek: and I've been told that I can claim back the US taxes I had to pay on my purchases whilst there. Is this true? If so, how do I go about doing this? I'm led to believe you have to make the claim through the US state you spent the money in but have no idea where to start.

If anyone can help I'd appreciate your help no end.

Thanks:T

richardw

leamingtonspaceman wrote: »

I spent a few quid

All really depends on the value of your purchases and if the value of your purchases exceeded your limit did you go through the red something to declare channel?

leamingtonspaceman

richardw wrote: »

All really depends on the value of your purchases and if the value of your purchases exceeded your limit did you go through the red something to declare channel?

No...I'm actually talking about the US taxes I incurred/paid, not taxes I paid in the UK at customs. A few people have told me that the US sales taxes can be reclaimed if you are a tourist.

pennylane99

no...The only state you can claim your sales tax back is in Louisiana

although I think Macys/Bloomingdales stores may refund the tax back on some items if you spend over a certain amount, you would need to go to their visitor centre before leaving

Can I get a refund of the tax paid on merchandise and services purchased in the United States

Sales taxes in the United States are assessed and collected by various State and local authorities, not by the Federal Government. According to information available to this office, only the State of Louisiana has any provisions to refund the sales tax to visiting tourists and business travelers. Therefore, unless purchases were made in Louisiana, no sales tax refund is possible

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukcust1.html

richardw

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/irs/irstaxes.htm

Bob63

A good tip for the future is to purchase from Amazon.com with delivery to your hotel room. I have done this many times and don't pay a penny in sales tax.

phatbear

pennylane99 wrote: »

no...The only state you can claim your sales tax back is in Louisiana

although I think Macys/Bloomingdales stores may refund the tax back on some items if you spend over a certain amount, you would need to go to their visitor centre before leaving
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http://london.usembassy.gov/ukcust1.html

Not strictly true bloomies and macys give out of towners an 11% discount card, which for instance in NY, is more than the sales tax, however the money itself is not refundable.

Oddly enough our american cousins, and anyone else who lives outside the EU can claim their VAT back on items when they leave the EU on shed loads of stuff, grrr grumble rip off scam etc etc etc lol.

all the best

the bear

Bob63

pennylane99 wrote: »

no...The only state you can claim your sales tax back is in Louisiana

Also worth noting that you don't pay any sales tax at all in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon.

BexTech

phatbear wrote: »

Oddly enough our American cousins, and anyone else who lives outside the EU can claim their VAT back on items when they leave the EU on shed loads of stuff, grrr grumble rip off scam etc etc etc lol.

all the best

the bear

You forgot to mention, they have to declare the goods and then pay US, Canadian, NZ, Australian, South African etc etc customs taxes on them.

phatbear

The same way as you would have to declare your items entering the UK if you had spent over £145 per person, however the difference is, subject to some restrictions, our trans atlantic buddies are entitled to $800 of duty free goods, so therefore they come over here get there vat back on their goods and dont have to pay any duty as long as they stay below $800.

However we go over there dont get to claim any sales tax back and then have to declare our total goods if it euqates to more than £145, oh and unlike the UK the americans are allowed to add their allowances together ie two people travelling get $1600 which if you purchase one item over $800 you still wouldnt need to pay tax on it, unlike the UK where you're personal allowance is just that, ie you cant add your families allowance to yours to avoid tax on an item over £145.

all the best

the bear