VAT Refund Eligibility

michaeliam

Hi All,

First time poster here.

I am an Australian who resides in the UK on a working visa.

I wish to travel to New York on a holiday (and then returning to the UK) and was wondering if it was possible to claim VAT on a diamond ring that I wish to purchase in the UK?

Am I eligible to claim this VAT refund?

Thanks kindly for all your help!

glentoran99

I dont understand, how is the trip to new york relevant?

Rodders53

https://www.gov.uk/vat-consumers/taxfree-shopping

So NO.
(You ain't going home or leaving the EU for >12 months).

michaeliam

If I am an Australian who purchased something in the UK and then I leave the eu does that not make me eligible for the Vat refund?

michaeliam

[QUOTE=Rodders53;66876031

So NO.
(You ain't going home or leaving the EU for >12 months).[/QUOTE]

How do they prove this at the airport? Say for example I have a one way ticket only. Or I say that im going back to Australia from New York but don't get have my ticket?

Caz3121

michaeliam wrote: »

If I am an Australian who purchased something in the UK and then I leave the eu does that not make me eligible for the Vat refund?

Did you read the link in post #4

You can sometimes get VAT refunds on goods bought in the UK if you:
visit the UK but live outside the EU and are going back home - does not apply as you are not returning home after a visit to the UK
are an EU resident leaving the EU for 12 months or more - you are not leaving the EU for 12 months or more
are a non-EU resident but work or study in the UK and are leaving the EU for 12 months or more - you are not leaving the EU for 12 months or more

this would work if you were a US citizen that was coming to the UK for a visit and then returning back the the US. You would fill out the forms and have them stamped on your exit from the UK back to the US, but does not apply for the scenario you posted

I don't think you would be allowed into the US with a one way ticket without some sort of visa. I assume your onward ticket will be a return back to the UK

michaeliam

Thanks I did read the post. My question was as to how this is all verified at the airport?

agrinnall

Rather than continuing to try to find a loophole to evade tax you'd be better to simply accept that as a resident of the UK you are required to pay the tax that is due the same as the rest of us do.

System

michaeliam wrote: »

Thanks I did read the post. My question was as to how this is all verified at the airport?

Well if you are going to the US then I would assume that some sort of visa would be required with defined length of stay

ETA

The visa waiver program only allows a stay of 90 days.

Altarf

michaeliam wrote: »

Thanks I did read the post. My question was as to how this is all verified at the airport?

No, your question was -

michaeliam wrote: »

Am I eligible to claim this VAT refund?

It seems you mistook this website for - https://www.adviceforcrooks.com