tax refund tourist usa

How to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist, Resident for Shopping ? FAQs

America is one of the best places to buy clothes, electronics, etc. You get the best value for the money spent. If you are a tourist from Asia or Europe, you will find the prices much cheaper when you buy things in the US at outlet malls.

Many are not aware that you may be able to get tax refunds as a tourist if you buy in some states like Texas in the US. In this article, we will cover all the details on how to get tax refunds, the requirements and conditions, and address some commonly asked FAQs.

Do you get a Tax Refund for Shopping in the US at Malls or Online Stores?

It depends on the US state you do shopping in. If you shop in certain states like Texas, you will likely get a tax refund for your purchases in the US as a tourist. The US Government or US Tourism websites do not have a published list that says that you get a Sales Tax Refund when you buy things in a certain US state.

It is unclear if you would get a tax refund if you buy stuff online. You need to check with the online retailer on this, as this depends on where you ship your goods and how the seller will charge you state tax. Also, even if you get a refund, there are way too many conditions to get a decent refund back. We will look at these details in later sections of the article.

Tax Refund: State Sales Tax vs. Federal Sales Tax?

In America, there is no Federal Sales Tax (national-level sales tax). When you buy goods in the US, the respective State or Local Government charges you State Sales Tax . The US Federal Govt., usually imposes customs duty or tariffs on the federal level and is not charged directly to the end consumer.

The sales tax you pay for shopping in the US goes to the respective state govt. or local govt and does not go to the federal government. So, you usually get the State Sales Tax or Local Govt. Sales tax as a refund if you are exporting the goods outside of the US.

Below is a reference image from Taxfoundation.org that shows approximate State tax by the state for your reference.

Sales Taxes in the US by State for Year 2023

As you would usually get the State Tax as a refund, it is important for you to review the respective tax you paid for you to get an estimate. You can see that in the purchase receipt. There will be a section that clearly tells as Sales Tax. That is nothing but the State Sales Tax.

Below is one of the purchases in Houston, Texas, done by me for your reference. You can see the Sales Tax highlighted to get an idea.

Sales Tax Receipt for Refund in US as Tourist Sample

The US Government does not refund Sales Tax to Visitors

US Customs and Border Protection has clarified on the CBP website that says the below:

“The United States Government does not refund sales tax to foreign visitors. Sales tax charged in the United States is paid to individual states, not the Federal government …” . – US Customs and Border Protection(CBP) Website

It means that the US Federal Government on a country level does not refund any sales tax and you need to check with the respective US State, where you made the purchase from.

Check the below screenshot from the US CBP Website that clarifies the tax refund status from the US Govt. side.

US Sales Tax Refund Clarification by CBP Website - 2023

Hence, it is important to be clear that the Sales Tax refund completely depends on the US State, where you purchased your goods as a visitor and has nothing to do with the US Govt. or Federal Govt. We will look at some states and requirements to get a tax refund in the next section.

Requirements to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist or Resident

The requirements to get a tax refund varies by the US State. Also, they are slightly tricky to get a decent refund, as they force you to purchase more at a single store. Most of the requirements or conditions are common for foreigners and US Citizens. The only difference is where they can claim a tax refund and when.

Below are the general requirements for Tax Refund for Tourists

Minimum Amount : Depending on the state, there is a minimum amount of tax you need to have per receipt or purchase from a brand store or outlet store. In Texas, you need to have a minimum of $12 tax per receipt or combined receipts from the same brand stores. Technically, in Texas with an 8.25% sales tax, you need to purchase for at least $150 USD in a single store or brand outlet to be eligible for the refund.
Original Receipts : You need to submit original receipts at the Tax refund counter. They do not accept duplicate, photocopy, or reprint sales receipts. You need to submit the first original receipt that is printed. No digital or e-mail receipts are accepted unless it is an online purchase item from a brand store and if the receipt has the delivery address of the goods in that state. You need the packaging slip of delivery for online purchases.
Within 30 days: You need to have the purchase done within 30 days from the day of your international travel or departure date from the US.
International Travel : You get a refund only if you are traveling outside of the US, and the items you buy will stay outside of the US. Technically exporting it to another country. That’s why they ask for the original receipt and take it for a refund. It means that the sale is final in the US, and there are no returns for the same goods you bought here in the US.
Physical Inspection : You need to show your item purchased for physical inspection and it has to be in new and unused condition with all the tags.
Passport, I-94 / Entry Stamp : You need to show your Visa/ Passport and I-94 with an entry stamp on it if holding a foreign passport.
Departure Information / Flight Tickets : You need to show your international departure info or flight ticket itinerary. For US citizens, you need to show the boarding pass to get a tax refund.
Items should Depart US & State: The items purchased in the US must be taken with you and should depart the state you purchased in and America.
Food or Services: No refund for food or services purchased.
Participating Stores: You get Tax Refund only if you purchase goods from the participating stores. This depends on the state as well. In Texas, they claim the stores’ list is over 6,500+ stores…but watch out for the brands. I purchased from a few brands that were not eligible for a refund, such as Abercrombie & Fitch.
Instant Cash : If you want instant cash, it is a 50% processing fee for a tax refund.
Check / PayPal : If you want a check or can get a refund to PayPal, then it is 35% of the tax refund. Also you may also be charged $4 USD for every single store or brand purchase.
Refund Locations: Both US Citizens and non-US citizens can claim tax refunds at all major international airport terminals. They usually would have a Tax refund desk at these locations. Check the airport for the details on the terminal. Also, if you are a non-US citizen, then you can even claim tax refunds at certain mall locations in the state. Check the state website for the exact locations in a state. For example, for Texas, here are the refund locations .
Tax Refund Policies: Tax refund policies can vary by state, and there is no standard sales tax percentage set as well. You should check the Sales Tax and Tax Refund policies in that respective state before you shop to ensure you get a tax refund. For instance, if you shop in Delaware, there is no sales tax, so no refund. For policies in Texas, check out Requirements for Sales Tax Refund in Texas

Tips for Tax Refund as a Tourist or Resident in the US

Overall, a Tax refund is definitely a good thing, if you are doing a lot of shopping and taking it home. The only downside is that you have to give the original receipt of purchase. I did shopping for over $900 USD, but could not get a sizable tax refund as I did not know all of these facts and conditions. If you plan it ahead of time, you may be able to get a decent tax refund. Below are some tips

Duplicate Receipt / Re-prints : When you buy your item, request a duplicate receipt or re-print of the receipt. You can use this duplicate receipt for a warranty in your home country or international location.
Take a Photo of Original Receipt: Take a picture of the original receipt and if requested by the warranty location outside of the US, then you can use the photo and duplicate the receipt.
Buy maximum at One Brand Store: Make sure you pick a few brands and do shopping in those brands’ outlets so that you meet the minimum requirement of a Tax refund. If not, you will not be eligible for a tax refund, as you will miss out on the minimum. I did not get anything as I bought in multiple brands and they were less than $150 purchase per store, so I was not meeting the minimum amount of tax refund in Texas.
Register for Warranty: If you are buying an electronic item and if there is an option to register online, register for warranty, when you have the original receipt.

Common FAQs

We have addressed some of the commonly asked questions below.

The sales tax refunds are paid by the respective State Govt. or local Govt. where you made the purchases. It is a state sales tax refund and not a Federal govt refund. IRS does not give any sales tax refunds.

Yes, your visa status does not matter for tax refunds. All visa types are eligible, including H1B, L1, F1, etc. Anyone traveling outside of the US is eligible for a tax refund. All the tax refund conditions described in the above article apply to everyone.

Yes, US Citizens are also eligible for a tax refund, provided they travel outside the US within 30 days after the purchase of the goods. You can only claim it at airports on the day of your departure. All the conditions and requirements are described in the above article

When you shop in America, you are not subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST). The concept of VAT and GST exist in many countries, but in the US it is different, and you are only subject to Sales Tax when you do shopping.

This depends on the state and if they offer the tax refund. In certain states, if they charge sales tax and have a policy in place to refund sales tax, then you would likely get the tax refund. It is best to check with the online vendor and then the state policy for the same.

What are your experiences with tax refunds as tourists? Did you get any tax refund as a Resident? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Tax-Free in the USA for Foreigners and Tourists from Other Countries

April 7, 2023

Is There a Tax-Free Program in the USA?

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection department, the United States Government doesn’t refund sales tax to tourists and foreign visitors .

Even though the USA does not have a tax-free program like Europe, foreigners and tourists can return taxes or buy without taxes by:

Making a purchase in a state where there is no sales tax
Making a purchase in a state that has a sales tax refund (or VAT refund)

Tax-Free Shopping in the USA – List of States

By 2023, only five states do not charge VAT on the purchase of goods:

New Hampshire

Although these states charge other forms of tax instead of VAT, the absence of a sales tax can make shopping more rewarding, especially for out-of-state visitors or tourists.

Everyone (both locals and foreigners) can buy goods without VAT in tax-free states. However, there are two more states, where just foreign tourists, such as people from Mexico, can return sales tax in the USA:

In those states, the program is similar to the European one: buy product and then return sales taxes. With that said, the approach varies per state:

Louisiana – Shop at a tax-refundable store and show your passport to the cashier. To find out stores where you can shop without taxes, search for the white-red-blue stickers that indicate “Louisiana Tax-Free Shopping”. The seller will provide a tax return voucher that you can exchange for money at the New Orleans airport or downtown Lafayette. You can find out more about Tax-Free in the USA on the official website of the tax refund program .
Texas – It works similarly, but in addition, a flight ticket or other travel document is also required. In Texas, you can also make a tax refund at the airport or at 14 other locations across the state.

Tax-Free in the USA allows you to save money while shopping in the US by buying goods without taxes or receiving return taxes for purchases that you have already made.

How to Claim Sales Tax Back When Leaving the United States

When visitors from foreign countries make purchases and buy certain services while traveling in the United States, many pay sales tax on almost every bought item. Of course, you might think these pesky taxes are refundable when you leave the United States, especially if you have received refunds for value added taxes (VAT) and goods and services taxes (GST) when you visited and shopped in other international destinations. However, few states in the U.S. let foreign tourists claim refunds for sales taxes they have paid during their visit.

U.S. Sales Taxes Vs. VAT/GST

Video of the Day

The value added tax system in Europe, Canada and various other regions in the world are nationally imposed taxes that apply to specific purchases made by residents and visitors. In the U.S., each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. possessions decide their statewide sales tax rate or whether to have a sales tax rate at all. These taxes are not uniform throughout the United States. The rates not only vary from one state to another, but they also vary based on the item being taxed .

Washington, D.C., and 45 states in the U.S. have statewide taxes, leaving just five that have no state sales taxes . Additionally, 38 states have laws that add local sales taxes to all purchased goods and services.

Even in the states that have no state sales tax, cities and counties often add sales taxes to your purchase. Notably, most cities in the U.S. require hotels, restaurants, gas stations, parking lots, car rental companies and other establishments to collect taxes on your expenditures with them. This tax system makes it difficult to breakout just the state or local sales taxes from other travel expenses, like you can with countrywide VAT or GST.

Tax Refunds for Foreign Visitors

Currently, Louisiana and Texas are the only states that provide sales tax refunds to all foreign visitors or nonresidents. Beginning in 2020, the state of Washington plans to refund some sales taxes to some Canadian visitors and U.S. residents who live in certain qualifying states or U.S. possessions.

The refund process and requirements for each of these states is different. You need the correct forms, required documentation and complete records to successfully claim your refund. Within each state, you have more than one option for locations that you can visit to request your refund before leaving the U.S. or the specific state.

None of these refunds apply to state sales tax on services such as hotels, car rentals and restaurants . Texas and Louisiana rules differ slightly, but both states let you apply at airports and shopping malls.

Louisiana Sales Tax Refund Process

Foreign visitors to Louisiana can easily qualify for sales tax refunds by shopping at designated Louisiana tax-free shopping locations throughout the state. Eligible stores include more than 1,000 participating retailers in many major cities. They range from nationally known department stores to manufacturer outlet malls, warehouse clubs and specialty shops.

You must present a photo ID at the time of purchase in each store to receive a refund voucher for the sales tax on your selections. To process your refund, you will take your passport, refund vouchers, purchase receipts and a return international airline ticket to a refund center. In addition to the New Orleans airport, you can submit refund requests at banks and some shopping malls in larger cities, including New Orleans. You can receive cash if your total refund is $500 or less ; Louisiana pays larger amounts by check.

Texas Sales Tax Refund Procedures

Foreign shoppers in Texas also have airport and mall options for sales tax refunds. Eligible purchases include items you bought at participating tax-free Texas retailers no more than 30 days before your scheduled departure. The registered retailers include stores that sell jewelry, electronics, fashion, cosmetics and food in all price ranges. You can find some located in malls and outlets, department stores or larger discount merchandisers. In Texas, no membership warehouses currently participate in the program.

Eligible items must be unused and unworn , and you must present them when you apply for your refund. You will need to show original retail receipts that total a minimum of $12 in sales taxes per store location.

Visit one of many "Texas Tax Back" offices to get refunds before you leave the state. Refunds require your passport and a photo ID, along with a valid tourist visa if applicable. Your international travel itinerary, a boarding pass or I-94 if you drove to Texas from somewhere else in the country.

Texas issues refunds through PayPal, checks or cash. The daily cash refund limit is $1,000 . Texas deducts processing fees from your refund. These fees vary based on your payment choice and store locations. Application locations include major airports in major cities, outlet malls and many large shopping centers.

Proposed Washington State Refunds

Until 2019, the state of Washington had a limited sales tax exemption program. It became a refund program in mid-2019. The only visitors eligible to receive these refunds are Canadian and U.S. residents of any state or possession that either has no sales tax or charges less than 3 percent sales tax . For Canadians, residents must live in a province that has less than 3 percent sales tax or no VAT or GST on retail goods and services. As of 2019, Washington still offers a sales tax exemption for foreign diplomats at the time of their purchases.

The primary requirement in Washington is that the requestor will remove the purchased item from the state. Washington sales tax refund applicants also need to prove residency in one of the eligible states, territories or Canadian provinces. The minimum refund request amount is $25 in sales tax , and you can only request one refund per calendar year.

This refund process went into effect in July 2019, so beginning Jan. 1, 2020, applicants can submit copies of relevant receipts dated from July 1, 2019 to the last day of December 2019. Washington will announce complete procedures and locations in 2020.

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Can U.S. tourists get a sales tax refund when leaving the country?

by TaxJar August 5, 2021

I remember traveling in Ireland and a nice shopkeeper reminding me that I could get any VAT I paid as a tourist back before leaving the country. How handy! But that led me to wonder, since the U.S. is so fragmented (what with 46 states and Washington D.C. all administering their own sales tax), does the U.S. do the same thing for tourists when it comes to sales tax?

The short answer is: not really.

But there are some exceptions. Let’s take a look at what tourists from outside the U.S. can expect when it comes to a sales tax refund.

There’s No Federal US Sales Tax

Before we get into the how of sales tax refunds, it is first important to understand the “why.” Unlike Europe, where a nationwide value added tax (VAT) is applied to most transactions, the U.S. allows each state to set their own sales tax rules and laws.

Sales tax is charged at the point of sale and is a percentage of the price of the product. Sales tax is a “consumption tax,” meaning that it is charged for use of the product. That’s why a retailer who is buying a product to resell does not have to pay sales tax while an end user does have to pay sales tax – because they are the one “consuming” the product.

And even if sales tax weren’t a consumption tax, because the U.S’s sales tax is fragmented among the forty-six different states (and Washington D.C.) that all have a sales tax, there’s no easy or commonsense way for a tourist in the U.S. (especially one who has traveled and made purchases in multiple states) to collect any sales tax paid before leaving the country.

Exceptions to the Tourist Sales Tax Refund Rule

According to the Sales Tax Institute , there are a few exceptions which allow international tourists to claim sales tax paid. They are:

Louisiana tax free shopping program – Individuals traveling in the U.S. for less than 90 days and who hold a foreign passport, US Visitor’s Visa and an international transportation ticket to leave the country can apply for a refund on sales tax paid at a few qualifying retailers. Learn more at the Louisiana Tax Free Shopping Program website .
Texas private sales tax refunds – Some private companies in Texas will refund the sales tax paid by international visitors who shop at certain stores. This is very limited, and requires the buyer to purchase from a participating store and provide proof such as original receipts, travel documents, flight or transportation numbers and even spend a certain amount of sales tax per store in order to participate.
Washington non-resident sales tax exemption – The state of Washington provides a sales tax exemption to buyers who make a purchase of an item in Washington but do not intend to use the item in the state of Washington. Learn more about Washington’s non-resident sales tax exemption here .

You can also read more about each program here: “ I am visiting from another country. Can I get a refund of sales tax paid? ”

Diplomatic Sales Tax Exemptions

Diplomats serving in the U.S., as well as their families and dependents, are not required to pay sales tax. In this case, the diplomat and their contingent are given a sales tax exemption card. According to the U.S. Department of State, “Diplomatic tax exemption cards can generally be used to obtain exemption in person and at point-of-sale from sales taxes and other similarly imposed taxes on purchases of most goods and services, hotel stays, and restaurant meals in the United States.”

These cards must be presented each time the diplomat is required to pay sales tax. The vendor must look up the card’s validity or risk having to pay the unpaid sales tax out of pocket.

You can learn more about the U.S. diplomatic sales tax exemption here .

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Use your tax refund for an unexpected vacation this spring

Paris skyline with Sacre Coeur basilica and Montmartre, Paris, France

With tax season upon us, many Americans are anxious to know what it will mean for their tax payments — and refunds. The good news is that the average tax refunds have been increasing over the past few years, and according to the IRS , that trend is still continuing as of the latest data. This means, there's the potential for even more surprise money to hit your pocket this tax season.

Tax returns vary state to state and person to person, but past data and future estimates can still give taxpayers a sense of what they'll be forking over to the IRS — or getting back as a return — come April. As the data shows, the average refund as of late February is $3,213 — up 4.3% from last year.

Some states also typically have higher averages than other. With data put together from LendingTree for the tax year 2021, residents of Wyoming, Massachusetts, Florida and Washington, D.C., received the largest average refund, at over $5,000. On the flip side, for the same tax year, residents of Maine, West Virginia and Vermont received the smallest average refunds — with numbers in the low $3,000s. While the exact averages for this year will be slightly different, the highest and lowest states usually stay pretty similar.

Each individual will spend their tax refund differently, and some will even use it to pay off their debt or put into savings. But, if you were hoping to put your refund towards travel, we have some great options for you. And really, what better way to celebrate spring (and the end of tax season) than with a trip paid for in full with a tax refund?

Despite the refund amount, you might be pleasantly surprised to see how far it can take you. There are also many sites you can use, such as Going.com and Skyscanner.com, to figure out last-minute vacation deals.

$3,000 to $3,200

With a more modest tax refund, visitors can still plan an awesome trip, either domestically or abroad. The lowest tax refund is, typically, in Maine, where the average taxpayer saw a refund of $3,144 (based on tax year 2021). With that money, a solo traveler could travel to Cartagena, Colombia. We found nonstop flights from New York City for $669 in May or, if you're willing to have a layover, flights as low as $363.

You could also enjoy Dublin this spring for just $607 round-trip. With close to $2,500 remaining, that could go a long way for accommodations, food and entertainment.

Related: JetBlue plots 'opportunistic' growth in Europe as carrier inaugurates new Dublin routes

Of course, the budget won't go as far for couples, but we were able to find flights to Reykjavik on low-cost carrier PLAY for as low as $387 round-trip. This means a couple can fly across the pond for less than $800 round-trip and enjoy a multi-day trip exploring Iceland. While Iceland isn't necessarily the cheapest destination, there are many points-friendly properties in the city .

If you're looking for somewhere to take the entire family, you can spend a week in Sedona, Arizona, hiking the red rocks or choose to lounge on the beach in Florida's Key West — as we found round-trip flights around $200 to $300 from many East Coast airports.

Related: 4 family-friendly road trips you can take through Arizona

$3,250 to $3,450

Taxpayers who fall into this band — which is currently the average person as of February — can escape still-chilly temperatures with trips to sunny and beautiful destinations across the U.S.

For a lower-budget trip, you can fly nonstop from Burlington, Vermont, to Orlando for as low as $151 round-trip on Breeze Airways . A visit to Orlando absolutely doesn't have to include visiting the mouse, as both Disney World and Universal offer many attractions that don't require a park ticket. You'll find many fun and entertaining hotels — at inexpensive rates — throughout the area.

Related: Splash into fun — The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

For international vacations, we found flights from Boston to Frankfurt for just $437 round-trip per person. You could also take a quick flight to the island of Aruba from Washington, D.C., for just $396. Entire families can enjoy a trip here by using points to reserve a stay at one of the island's many great points properties .

$3,550 to $4,550

If you're able to snag a refund higher than the current average, this could potentially allow you to spend some portion on travel and save the rest.

For residents of Nevada, Alaska, or any other western states, the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington are a short flight and boat ride away. The idyllic archipelago is filled with state parks and greenery, making it the perfect option for nature lovers who want to hike, kayak, swim or watch for orcas starting in May. Flights originating from the west can be as low as $90 per person (from what we saw from Las Vegas to Seattle on Frontier Airlines), and hotels on the islands usually cost from $115 to $285 per night in late May.

Related: Earn points, miles and cash back while doing your taxes

For international locations, residents of the West Coast can fly to parts of South America in just a few hours. Flights from California to Bogota, Colombia, are typically between $300 and $400 in May.

East Coast residents can turn to St. Martin for a great getaway as flights cost around $300 on Delta. Or, take a nonstop flight to Paris for about $500 from New York on airlines such as French Bee, Air Caraibes or Norse Atlantic Airways. Travelers can splurge at one of the best hotels in Paris , such as the Ritz Paris or Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome . Or, cash in your hotel points for an award night, and you'll have plenty of refund money left over to experience some incredible French dining.

$4,800 to $6,000

If you happen to live in one of the highest refund states — which typically includes Connecticut, Nevada, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming — you could embark on the vacation of a lifetime.

Southeast Asia can be extremely inexpensive, allowing your refund to go quite far. While your flight will eat up the bulk of your refund — we found flights to Bali starting at $1,500 per person — hotels, experiences and dining are extremely inexpensive. So, even though flights might cost north of $3,000 if you're traveling as a couple, you can easily stay for 10 days with just $1,800 to $3,000 in your back pocket.

For example, we found rates at the Aloft Bali, Seminyak for less than $100 per night (and you'll be within walking distance of the beach). You can then enjoy the spectacular scenery in and around Ubud for just $125 per night at the Sthala, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (another Marriott property).

Related: Bali on a budget: Booking 6 nights in luxury hotels for just 36,000 points

If you're looking for something completely different, North African temperatures tend to be relatively mild in the spring, making it a great time to visit Morocco. Flights to Africa tend to run on the more expensive side, regardless of the time of year. However, flights to Casablanca are actually quite reasonable and can be found between $500 and $900 round-trip — depending on whether you want a nonstop flight or one with a layover. Visitors can rent entire homes near Casablanca with Airbnb for slightly over $100 per night, and many even include their own pools.

Bottom line

Although your tax refund is technically excess taxes you've paid throughout the year — or have had withheld from your paycheck — it can often feel like free money. There's no better way to travel than with unexpected money that just landed on your lap.

With my travel options, you can put this tax refund to good use and truly experience a fun vacation.

Tax refunds

Check the status of your tax refund. Learn about unclaimed tax refunds and what to do if your refund is lower than expected.

Check your federal or state tax refund status

If you expect a federal or state tax refund, you can track its status. Learn how and what information you will need.

Set up direct deposit to receive your tax refund

Get your tax refund faster through direct deposit instead of by mail. Learn how direct deposit works, how to set it up, and change your account’s information.

What to do if your tax refund is lower than expected

If you owe money to a federal or state agency, the federal government may use part or all of your federal tax refund to repay the debt. This is called a tax refund offset.

Undelivered and unclaimed tax refund checks

Every year, millions of federal and state tax refunds go undelivered or unclaimed. Learn how to claim your refund if you did not file a return or if your check never got to you.

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Generally, no refund of sales tax is available if you took possession of the item from the vendor with a given state. In the United States, sales tax is imposed at the point of transfer of title or possession. Therefore, if a non-resident visitor to the United States purchases any taxable items and takes possession of the goods at the retailer’s location, sales tax is due and there is generally no refund of the sales tax paid simply because the goods will be removed from the United States. The United States is different from many other countries that have a VAT structure, where it is more common to get this type of refund.

If the retailer ships the goods out of the United States to the non-resident’s location in another country, then the sales tax is generally not due. However, the retailer must export the goods and the customer cannot take possession of the goods in the United States.

There is an exception to this rule in Louisiana, Texas and Washington.

The city of New Orleans offers a tax-free shopping program – the Louisiana Tax Free Shopping Program – for foreign visitors to the United States. Individuals travelling in the United States for 90 days or less with a foreign passport and/or a current US visitor’s visa and an international transportation ticket can apply for a refund of sales tax paid on qualifying items purchased from New Orleans retailers taking part in the program.

U.S. resident aliens residing in the U.S. and elsewhere, foreign students residing in the U.S., United States citizens living in another country, dual citizens (United States & another country), and visitors in the U.S. for more than 90 days are not eligible for the program.

Refunds are authorized for purchases of material movable property that is permanently removed from the state by the foreign visitor. Purchases of food and beverages that are consumed within the state are not eligible for sales tax refunds. For more information, visit the Louisiana Tax Free Shopping website .

Texas allows international visitors meeting certain requirements to acquire a refund of sales tax paid on their purchases. In Texas, the refund process takes place through private companies. In order to qualify for the refund, the private companies require the purchaser to shop at a participating store, process the refund at one of their specified locations, and produce the following items:

Purchased merchandise (new and unused). A minimum amount of sales tax per store location may be required.
Original receipts (no photocopies, duplicates, emails, etc. are accepted)
Travel documents (such as passport, visa, etc.)
Flight or transportation information (such as an airline ticket or boarding pass)

Additionally, the items must be purchased within 30 days of the visitor’s departure. The sales tax refund for international visitors is allowed through Texas’s tax statutes for imports/exports and customs brokers.

In Washington state, sales tax does not apply to sales of tangible personal property, digital goods and digital codes to non-residents of the state when:

the property is for use outside of Washington;
the purchaser is a resident of a province or territory of Canada or a state, territory or possession of the United States (other than the state of Washington), and that state, possession, territory or province does not impose a sales tax, use tax, value added tax, gross receipts tax on retailing activities or similar generally applicable tax, of 3% or more or, if imposing such a tax, provides an exemption for sales to Washington residents by reason of their residence; and
the purchaser agrees, when requested, to grant the department of revenue access to such records and other forms of verification at his place of residence as to provide assurance that such purchases are not first used substantially in the state of Washington.

This exemption applies when a non-resident makes a purchase of a taxable good within Washington but the use of the good will occur outside of Washington. Nothing in the provision requires a retailer to make the tax-exempt sale to non-residents (Washington, Sec. 82.08.0273). Sales within designated free trade zones may have an exemption as long as the customer does not take possession of the goods and the retailer has responsibility for export of the goods. For more information, visit the Washington DOR’s webpage .

Washington State has provided guidance on the requirements for a sale to qualify as an export sale exempt from retail sales tax when a customs broker is involved. To qualify as an exempt export sale, a sale must meet one of the following requirements:

the goods must be delivered to the buyer in another country;
the goods must be delivered to a carrier who transfers the goods to another country; or
the goods must be delivered to the buyer at shipside or aboard the buyer’s vessel or other vehicle.

If goods are delivered to an out-of-state buyer’s customs broker in Washington for subsequent delivery to the out-of-state buyer in Washington, the sale is not an exempt export sale. The seller must collect retail sales tax and must pay retailing business and occupation (B&O) tax on the sale.

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International travel

Tax exemptions

Tourism tax refunds.

You may be entitled to a refund of some taxes included in the price of your ticket if you meet the applicable criteria for exemptions and your itinerary involves:

Travel between the U.S. and Mexico (including travel between Canada and Mexico via the U.S.)
International travel departing Belize, Colombia or Trinidad and Tobago
International travel arriving into Colombia

All refund claims must be submitted within 12 months of ticket issuance.

Belize Airport Development Tax (BU) exemptions

Airline crew on duty
Belizean citizens with a valid passport, Belizean resident card or a naturalization certificate
Ministers of government, members of the national assembly, or members of the diplomatic and consular corp
Military personnel
Mayors of municipalities
Official of international organizations
Caribbean community secretariat personnel traveling on official business
Minister and officials of other government visiting Belize at the invitation of the Belize government
Public officers traveling on official business
Approved scholarship holders leaving Belize to study abroad and sports and cultural groups representing Belize who been accredited by the government.

Belize Airport Departure Tax (FV) exemptions

Belize conservation tax (fu) exemptions.

Infant under the age of two
Children under the age of 12

Belize International Security Fee (FW) exemptions

Colombia tourism tax (js) exemptions.

Passengers arriving to Colombia on international flights and connecting with international flights within 24 hours or less
Passengers arriving on international flights and connecting with domestic flights or stopping in Colombia for more than 24 hours are NOT exempted.

Colombia Resident Exit Tax (DG) exemptions

Infants under the age of two
Children under the age of five
Government officials
Non-Colombian residents whose stay does not exceed 60 days in Colombia
Sports delegations accredited by the national government
Colombians residents abroad whose stay does not exceed 180 days in Colombia
Transiting Colombia within 24 hours unless on domestic to international sector transit
Students with government grants
Airline staff traveling on duty

Mexico Tourism Tax (UK) exemptions

Mexican citizen (Passport)
Resident of Mexico (permanent or temporary) holding a Mexico Visa
Transit/transfer passenger remaining less than 24 hours in Mexico; passengers stopping over in Mexico aren’t entitled to a refund

Mexico Departure Tax (TUA) (XD) exemptions

Diplomat (does not include staff or U.S. Embassy in Mexico)

If your travel is not complete and you meet the exception criteria, please contact us for assistance.

Reservations and ticket changes

If you've completed all travel and think you’re entitled to a refund, please contact Refunds to submit a claim.

Receipts and refunds

Trinidad and Tobago Passenger Service Charge Tax exemptions

Passengers who are 60 years or above and is a citizen or a resident of Trinidad and Tobago
Members of the Trinidad Tobago defense force of the armed forces of any country traveling on official duty
Members of the crew of any aircraft or ship are exempt
Transiting Trinidad Tobago within 24 hours unless on domestic to international sector transit
Involuntary rerouting due to technical difficulties, weather conditions or other valid reasons
Passengers arriving on international flights and connecting with domestic flights or stopping in Trinidad and Tobago for more than 24 hours are not exempted

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Destinations behind a paywall? What to know about the increasing tourist fees worldwide.

Travelers to Venice will have to pay up to see its historic canals and islands, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

To regulate heavy tourist traffic and “protect residents,” the City of Water announced tourist groups will be capped at 25 people – about half the capacity of a tourist bus – and ban loudspeakers, which create “disturbances,” according to the Italian city. Over the summer, crowds in St. Mark’s Square, the city’s main plaza, caused bridges to back up , and tourists saw overflowing trash cans.

The city said the biggest culprits are day-trippers, who don’t add much economic value to the city – like eating at local hotels or restaurants – while still putting pressure on the city’s infrastructure. In 2022, 30 million people visited the City of Canals, but only 3.2 million stayed overnight in the historic city center.

“I refuse to visit the city during tourist season even when friends and family are staying with me because the crowds are so crazy,” Nathan Heinrich, an American writer and designer who holds dual citizenship in Italy and lives just outside Venice, told USA TODAY.

This year, the city will trial a new day-tripper entrance fee of €5 per person ($5.44) during 29 peak days between April and mid-July. To enforce the fee, daytime visitors must register online and download a QR code, which officials will randomly ask to verify. If a traveler doesn't have the code, they can pay the tax on the spot along with an extra fine of up to €100 ($108.82).

Learn more: Best travel insurance

What to do in Hawaii? Locals weigh in on if these popular spots are worth the hype

The news makes Venice the latest popular destination to increase fees aimed at tourists. Last year, Amsterdam announced it would increase its tourist tax by 12.5%, making it the highest in Europe. Closer to home, Hawaii failed to pass a widely supported bill in May that would make tourists pay for a $50 pass to enjoy the islands’ natural beauty.

As the demand to see and experience new places only strengthens, many popular destinations are working to add or increase fees aimed at the sheer number of travelers they get.

“There are concerns about overtourism and the strain it puts on the local infrastructure, the environmental impacts, and frankly it’s just a revenue stream,” Jason Block, CEO of travel advising company and a collection of travel brands known as WorldVia Travel Group, told USA TODAY. “You look at these places that are really dependent on tourism as an industry – and especially coming out of the pandemic where they lost a lot of that revenue – they’re playing a little bit of catch-up. They’re also seeing other destinations implementing without much impact to demand.”

Experts consider these fees the future of travel, so here’s how they are going to affect travelers.

What are tourist taxes?

Tourist taxes are “something virtually every destination has in some shape or form” as a way to generate income from travelers, Block said.

Nearly all destinations have a lodging tax, which is automatically added to your final hotel bill. Honolulu raised its lodging tax two years ago, adding up to 18% onto the hotel room rate. Destinations also have similar fees added onto final airline ticket prices or port charges if traveling by cruise ship.

More destinations are raising these fees to coincide with the increased demand. In January 2023, Aruba raised its lodging tax from 9% to 12.5%, and Amsterdam’s will rise from 7% to 12.5% this year.

As for entrance fees like Venice’s or the upcoming electronic visa for the United Kingdom , these are newer concepts, but Block fully expects them to stay.

“The lodging taxes have been there forever now, but you’re seeing places that have a separate environmental fee or levy or another line item, like an entry fee,” Block said. “You’ll see three, four, five line items. So it starts with your simple hotel transaction or a short weekend flight, a night in a hotel, and activities could have a lot of different tax lines.”

Where does the tourist tax revenue go?

It’s not all bad news for travelers, Block said.

The money from tourist taxes are more likely than not reinvested into the destination. Though the revenue is typically aimed at improving life for the residents, it will also “make the travel experience better,” Block said. “One of the worst things you can do is pay for your dream trip to Venice and have a bad experience because the sewers are overrun or the roads are bad.”

Not so hidden. Blame social media and pent-up demand for exposing your favorite hidden vacation spot

Iceland , known for its striking natural beauty, said it would broaden its accommodation tax to help protect its environment for future generations. The fee increase also aligns with the country’s goal to be carbon-neutral by 2040.

“Tourists are enjoying (these resources), so they should foot part of the bill,” Block said.

How are tourist taxes going to affect travelers?

It depends. As more places introduce more fees, there can be concerns of a lack of transparency, Block said. It’s crucial for travelers to look closely at the breakdown of their airfare or hotel room and not just base their budget off the advertised price, he added.

Though these fees seem inconsequential at first, they can add up. “When you add it all up for a week for a family of four, even if you’re sharing a single hotel room, that’s not insignificant,” Block said. Paris charges a flat €4 ($4.35) per person per night lodging fee, so for a family of four for seven nights, there’s an additional €112 ($121.88) on the hotel bill.

Despite this, many travelers support the fees if it means contributing to the destination’s sustainability.

"It's such a stunning place, with its canals and narrow alleys, but the sheer number of people visiting is putting a strain on it,” said Kayden Roberts, a digital nomad who visited in 2023. “Introducing a tourist tax here makes a lot of sense. It's not just about making money; it's about keeping Venice beautiful and preserving its cultural and historical treasures.”

Heinrich, the American designer, doesn’t think tourists will even bat an eye at the fees and will continue with their travel plans. “Anyone who can afford to take a trip to Italy can most likely afford a few extra euros to take a day trip into the city,” he said.

Others are worried the increase in tourist taxes could limit accessibility for travelers with lower budgets, but finding a solution is tricky. “This could be the start of a slippery slope of exclusivity that puts popular and important tourist destinations behind a paywall," said Heather Rameau, a content creator for travel brands based in Washington, D.C. “Ultimately, we all share this world and deserve access to see its beautiful places.

“Is there a need to better regulate and control the number of people visiting popular tourist spots, especially those that have a delicate ecosystem or are at risk due to climate change or other factors? Yes,” she said. “But is charging more money the way to do it? I'm not sure.”

Where has the highest tourist taxes?

Amsterdam: 12.5% of the nightly lodging rate
Barcelona: - Up to €6.25 ($6.80) per person, per night
Paris: - About €4 ($4.35) per person, per night
Dominican Republic: 23% of the hotel rate goes to taxes
Antigua and Barbuda: $100 for entry/exit fee
Honolulu: Up to 18% of the nightly lodging rate

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You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Value-Added Tax (VAT): What It Is, Who Pays

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you’ve ever traveled outside the United States and done some shopping, chances are you’ve noticed a VAT, or value-added tax, on your receipts. Here’s what VAT is, how it works, and how you might be able to get your money back.

What is value-added tax (VAT)?

A value-added tax, or VAT, is a tax on products or services when sellers add value to them. In some countries, VAT is called goods and services tax, or GST. Similar to a sales tax or excise tax, consumers pay the VAT tax, which is typically a percentage of the sale price. There is no VAT in the United States.

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How value-added tax (VAT) works

Value-added tax is typically a percentage of the sale price. For example, if you purchase a pair of shoes for $100, and the value-added tax rate is 20%, you would pay $20 in VAT at the register when you pay for the shoes.

The value-added tax rate varies by country.

Some countries exclude certain goods or services from the tax.

The European Union requires that an EU country’s VAT rate must be at least 15%. Some things qualify for a reduced rate, which has to be at least 5%. [0] European Taxation: Taxation and Customs Union . VAT rates . Accessed May 17, 2023. View all sources

Although businesses may pay value-added tax on the goods and services they buy, they generally get to recoup those payments from the VAT they collect from their customers. The businesses then remit what’s left to the government.

Is there VAT in the U.S.?

There is no VAT in the United States. But even though the United States doesn’t have a value-added tax, it does require consumers to pay federal excise taxes on the purchase of gasoline, alcohol, tobacco and other products. In addition, several states and cities collect sales taxes. Intuitively, the concepts are similar in that they are all taxes on consumption. The difference is in how the tax is collected. Over 100 countries have a VAT.

» MORE: See how to deduct sales tax on your income tax return

How to get a VAT refund

If you visit a country that has a VAT, you might be able to get a refund on the tax you pay when you shop there. Beware: There are a lot of steps, and some travelers decide the refund process isn’t worth the trouble. Here are some of the general rules, but before you travel, be sure to check the VAT rules in the country you plan to visit.

Typically, you have to pay the value-added tax at the time of purchase, and then apply for a refund from the shop.

Usually, your purchase must be over a certain amount in order to qualify for a VAT refund. In the EU, for example, you have to buy at least 175 euros worth of stuff in a shop. [0] European Commission: Taxation and Customs Union . Guide to VAT refund for visitors to the EU . Accessed May 17, 2023. View all sources The threshold isn’t cumulative, meaning that spending 100 euros in one shop and 100 euros in another shop doesn’t meet the minimum. It may be worth it to consolidate your shopping if you’re angling for a VAT refund.

Spending on food and hotels often isn’t eligible for VAT refunds.

You usually have to be a visitor to get a VAT refund. The address on your passport matters here. You might qualify as a visitor if you’re living in the country temporarily but have a permanent home somewhere else.

You’ll likely need to show the store clerk proof that you live outside the country, and you’ll have to fill out a form.

Some shops don’t offer VAT refunds. Some shops process the refund directly, and some shops use third parties to process the refund. Ask for written instructions about how to claim your VAT refund.

Sometimes the shop charges a fee for VAT refunds, so be sure to ask about that ahead of time.

Usually you’ll need to mail your stamped VAT refund form to an address the shop provides. But you don’t always have to wait to get back home. Some big airports, ports and train stations have VAT refund offices where you can get your refund right away — if the retailer you shopped at uses that office.

When you go home with your stuff, a customs officer has to stamp your refund paperwork as proof of export. Without the stamp, you won’t get your VAT refund.

On a similar note...

California sales tax refund for international tourists

What are the requirements or conditions to get a tax refund in california as a tourist or resident.

These requirements to obtain a tax refund are somewhat difficult to obtain. Since they require you to buy more at a store. Here is information about the California sales tax refund for international tourists . The most common requirements or conditions for foreigners. And US citizens are the only difference where they can claim a tax refund and when.

Related to California sales tax refund for international tourists:

California sales tax refund claim

Below are the general requirements:

Minimum amount: Depending on the state there is a minimum amount of taxes you must have against each receipt. Or purchase at a brand store or outlet store.
Original receipts: you must present the original receipts at the tax payment counter. Do not accept duplicate receipts, reprints of photocopies or sales revenue. You must enter the first original printed receipt. Digital or email receipts are not accepted unless it is an online purchase at a branded store. And the receipt has the delivery address of the products in that state. Online purchases require a delivery note.
30 days: you must make the purchase within 30 days of your international trip or date of departure from the USA.
International travel: you will only get a refund if you travel outside the US. UU. And the products you buy will remain outside the US. UU. Technically exported to another country, so they request the original receipt and return it. It means that the sale is final in the United States and there are no returns for the same products you bought here in the United States.
Reimbursement sites: US citizens and non-US citizens can request a tax refund at all the main terminals of the international airport, which would have a tax refund counter. Check the data at the terminal at the airport. Also, if you are not a US citizen. In the US, you can claim a tax refund even in certain parts of the state. Check the state website for the exact locations in Your Texas, these are the paid sites.
Tax refund policies: Tax refund policies may vary by state and there is also no established percentage of the standard sales tax. You should check the Sales Tax and Tax Payment policies in that state before buying to make sure you get a tax refund. For example, if you buy in Delaware, there is no sales tax, so there is no refund.

Tips for a tax refund as a tourist or resident in the United States:

In general, it is a good idea to pay a tax, if you go shopping and take it home. The only disadvantage is that you must deliver the original purchase. I bought for more than $ 900 USD, but I couldn’t get a substantial tax refund because I didn’t know all these facts and conditions. If you plan ahead, you can get a good tax refund. Below are some tips.

Duplicate receipt/reprints: When you buy your item, request a duplicate receipt or reprint. You can use this for a guarantee in your home country or on your international site
Take a photo of the original receipt: take a photo of the original receipt and if the site requests a court order outside the United States, you can use the photo and the duplicate receipt.
Buy Maximum at One Brand Store: Be sure to choose some brands and make purchases at those brands, so that you meet the minimum tax refund requirement. I didn’t get anything since I bought in several brands and they had less than $ 150 purchases per store, so I didn’t meet the minimum amount of tax reimbursement in Texas.
Sign up for guarantees: if you are buying an electronic item and have the option to register online, sign up for a guarantee, once you have the original acknowledgement.

How tax sales work in California

The federal government does not collect sales taxes. Instead, the sales tax is charged locally . Of the 50 US states. At the time of publication, they charge general sales taxes or gross income. The client pays the sales tax and is collected by the company, which then passes it to the state tax authority. Gross revenue is taxed on the business itself and not on the customer. However, it is common for companies to submit gross tax receipts to the customer as a separate charge or by raising the sale price.

State sales tax refunds

at the time of writing this article, two states reimburse sales tax to international visitors: Louisiana and Texas. Even then, international visitors can only claim refunds on purchases made to participating merchants. To claim a sales tax refund in Louisiana, show your passport to participating merchants and request proof of tax refund. Redeem sales tax by showing your receipts and receipts to a representative at one of the Louisiana reimbursement centers. You can also redeem coupons by mail. Deliver your receipts along with the merchandise purchased to the Texas reimbursement site. And show your passport visa and flight information to collect your money. This summarises the California sales tax refund for international tourists .

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Tax Deduction for US Tourists: A Comprehensive Guide

Income Tax Notice u/s 143(2) for Scrutiny u/s 143(3)

Tax refund policies in the US states are not similar in all states. If you are a tourist in the US, you can avail tax refund if you are eligible. You can save a ton of money with it. Check out this article to know more about tax refunds and deductions for US tourists.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Every year the US attracts a lot of tourists from across the world. Diverse in culture and food, tourism in the US generates a lot of revenue for the country. The US market is ideal for shoppers who like to buy electronic gadgets, clothes, accessories, etc. It is because the price of the commodities in the US market is much cheaper than in other countries.

Approximately 79 million foreign visitors come to the United States each year. They travel here, go shopping, enjoy themselves, and then go back home. However, they have to pay sales tax on purchases they make as foreigners, just like American citizens.

Certain states in the US let visitors request refunds of the sales tax they pay when they buy specific goods. It might be a bit challenging to get a refund but it is possible. In this article, you will know about tax rebate, tax refunds and tax deductions for US tourists.

Tax Rebate for Shopping in the US

Tax refund on products completely depends on the state in which you shop. You are quite likely to receive a tax refund for your purchases made while visiting the US if you shop in select states like Texas.

It is still unclear whether you will get tax refunds for online purchases. The buyer needs to communicate with the concerned online retailer on how he is planning to charge sales tax which again depends on the nature of the items the purchaser wishes to ship at his place.

Sales Tax Vs Value-Added Tax

The retailer who is selling to the final customer, or the seller at the end of the supply chain, is responsible for collecting sales tax. Most of the time, it is the retailer you are using. Sales tax is collected by tax authorities, but they don’t get their hands on it until the customer is served.

On the other hand, value-added tax (VAT) is gathered by every seller in a supply chain, from manufacturers all the way down to delivery services. At each link in the supply chain, tax departments are given the appropriate VAT.

When you request a tax refund, you are claiming sales tax, not VAT tax.

Requirements to Avail Tax Deduction for US Tourists

Each US State has its own criteria for tax refunds. Additionally, because they make you buy more at a single place, it can be a little difficult to get a reasonable refund. The majority of conditions apply to both foreigners and US citizens. The sole distinction is the location and time for a itr return filing .

The primary requirements for tourists to receive tax refunds are as follows:

Minimum Figure: There may be a minimum tax requirement per receipt or purchase from a brand retail or outlet store, depending on the state. In Texas, each receipt must contain a minimum of $12 in tax, or multiple receipts from the same chain retailers may be pooled. To be eligible for the return, you must technically spend at least $150 USD in a single store or brand outlet in Texas, where the sales tax rate is 8.25%.
Time Limit: The purchase must be done within 30 days of the day of your foreign departure or the day you left the US.
Overseas Journey: Only if you are traveling outside of the US and the products you are purchasing will remain outside of the US will you be eligible for a refund. They request the original receipt in order to process a refund because technically they are exporting the item to another nation. It indicates that the sale is final in the US and that the same products you purchased here in the US cannot be returned.
Physical Verification: You must present the item you purchased for physical inspection, and it must be brand-new, unused, and complete with all of the tags.
Flight Information: You need to present tickets with information about your foreign flight’s departure time or itinerary. Your boarding pass may also be required.
Refund Locations: All significant international airport terminals include a Tax refund desk where US citizens and non-US people can file tax refund claims. For information on the terminal, consult the airport. Additionally, non-US citizens may even file tax refund claims at specific state retail locations. For specific state locations, visit the state’s website. Here are the refund locations, for Texas, as an illustration.

You can request your refunds at the airport when you’ll be flying home. Contact the main information desk at the airport; they should be able to direct you. Though it is advisable to arrive at least a few hours earlier than usual because the inspection can take longer.

For everyone, the sales tax rebate is beneficial. Tourists are able to purchase more and benefit from refunds, while retailers are able to offer more goods. In the foreseeable future, more states are likely to follow suit. For updates, always visit the state’s department of revenue website.

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These are all the destinations you’ll need to pay extra to visit this year

More and more popular travel destinations are introducing tourist taxes to tackle problems caused by overtourism – here’s what you’ll have to pay

This year, international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019 – and while that’s great news for the tourism industry in general, many cities, attractions and entire regions are suffering under the weight of overtourism .

The potential for damage to historic sites, unhinged tourist behaviour and the simple issue of overcrowding are all common consequences of overtourism. That’s why a growing list of popular travel destinations have introduced a tourist tax, with the hopes of controlling visitor numbers and improving local infrastructure to better cater to higher visitor capacity.

Many countries and cities introduced a tourist tax in 2023, and many more are due to launch theirs in 2024. Tourist taxes aren’t a new thing – you’ve probably paid one before, tied in with the cost of a plane ticket or the taxes you pay at a hotel.

However, more destinations than ever before are creating this fee for tourists, and many places have increased the cost of existing ones. Here’s a full list of all the destinations charging a tourist tax in 2024, including all the recently introduced and upcoming tourist taxes you need to know about.

Austria charges visitors a nightly accommodation tax which differs depending on province. In Vienna or Salzburg , you could pay 3.02 percent per person on top of the hotel bill.

Belgium , like Austria, has a nightly fee. Some hotels include it in the rate of the room and add it separately to your bill, so read it carefully.

The rate in Brussels is charged per room, and varies depending on the size and rating of your hotel, but is usually around €7.50. Antwerp also charges per room.

Bhutan has always been known for its steep tourist taxes and charges. In 2022, the Himalayan kingdom tripled the amount it charged visitors in tax to a minimum of $200 per day , but that amount has since been lowered. In 2024, the daily fee for the majority of visitors is $ 100, and that is due to continue until August 31, 2027.

Bulgaria applies a fee to overnight stays, but it reaches a maximum of only €1.50.

Caribbean Islands

The following Caribbean Islands charge a tourist tax, ranging from between €13 to €45: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic , Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.

The tax tends to be tied into the cost of a hotel or a departure fee.

Croatia only charges its visitors a fee of 10 kuna (€1.33) per night during peak season.

Czechia (also known as Czech Republic)

Czechia only applies a fee to those travelling to Prague . It doesn’t apply to those under the age of 18, and is less than €1 per person, per night.

France ’s ‘taxe de séjour’ varies depending on city, and tends to be added to your hotel bill. It varies from €0.20 to €4 per person, per night.

Earlier this month, Paris announced it would be increasing its fee by up to 200 percent for those staying in hotels, Airbnbs, and campsites, but that it plans to put the funds towards improving the city’s services and infrastructure.

READ MORE: The cost of visiting Paris will soar this summer – here’s why

Germany charges visitors a ‘culture tax’ (kulturförderabgabe) and a ‘bed tax’ (bettensteuer) in certain cities, including Frankfurt , Hamburg and Berlin , which tends to be around five percent of your hotel bill.

Greece ’s tourist tax is based on numbers. Specifically, how many stars a hotel has, and the number of rooms you’re renting. The fee was introduced by the Greek Ministry of tourism to help pay off the country’s debt, and can be anything from €4 per room.

Hungary charges visitors four percent of the price of their room, but only in Budapest .

Iceland is introducing a tourist tax to protect its ‘unspoilt nature’ this year, which will cost between €4 to €7 per night. It comes after annual tourist numbers reached an estimated 2.3 million per year.

In Indonesia , the only destination which charges a tourist tax is Bali , and the fee is set to increase this February to $10 (£7.70, €8.90, IDR 150,000) – but is a one-time entry fee, not a nightly tax. It apparently goes towards protecting the island’s ‘environment and culture.’

Much like in France, Italy ’s tourist tax varies depending on your location. Rome ’s fee is usually between €3 to €7 per night, but some smaller Italian towns charge more.

Venice finally announced in September that its tourist tax, a €5 (£4.30, $5.40) fee which will be applicable on various days during high season, will launch in 2024. It only applies to day-trippers rather than those staying overnight, though.

Japan has a departure tax of around 1,000 yen (€8).

Malaysia has a flat-rate tax which it applies to each night you stay, of around €4 a night.

New Zealand

New Zealand ’s tax comes in the from of an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of around €21 which much be paid upon arrival, but that does not apply to people from Australia.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has both a land and water tax. Amsterdam is set to increase its fee by 12.5 percent in 2024, making it the highest tourist tax in the European Union.

Portugal has a low tourist tax of €2, which applies to all those over the age of 13. It’s only applicable on the first seven nights of your visit and applies in 13 Portuguese municipalities, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto.

Olhão became the latest area to start charging the fee between April and October. Outside of this period, it gets reduced to €1 and is capped at five nights all year round. The money goes towards minimising the impact of tourism in the Algarve town.

Slovenia also bases its tax on location and hotel rating. In larger cities and resorts, such as Ljubljana and Bled, the fee is higher, but still only around €3 per night.

Spain

Spain applies its Sustainable Tourism Tax to holiday accommodation in the Balearic Islands to each visitor over the age of sixteen. Tourists can be charged up to €4 per night during high season.

Barcelona ’s city authorities announced they plan to increase the city’s tourist tax over the next two years – the fee is set to rise to €3.25 on April 1, 2024. The council said the money would go towards improving infrastructure and services. This is in addition to regional Catalan tax.

Switzerland

Switzerland ’s tax varies depending on location, but the per person, per night cost is around €2.20. It tends to be specified as a separate amount on your accommodation bill.

Thailand

Thailand introduced a tourist tax to the price of flights in April 2022, in a similar effort to the Balinese aim of moving away from its rep as a ‘cheap’ holiday destination. The fee for all international visitors is 300 baht (£6.60, $9).

The US has an ‘occupancy tax’ which applies across most of the country to travellers renting accommodation such as hotels, motels and inns. Houston is estimated to be the highest, where they charge you an extra 17 percent of your hotel bill.

Hawaii could be imposing a ‘green fee’ – initially set at $50 but since lowered to $25 – which would apply to every tourist over the age of 15. It still needs to be passed by lawmakers, but if approved, it wouldn’t be instated until 2025.

The European Union

Finally, the European Union is planning on introducing a tourist visa , due to start in 2024. The €7 application will have to be filled out by all non-Schengen visitors between the ages of 18 and 70, including Brits and Americans.

READ MORE: Why sustainable tourism isn’t enough anymore

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news.

Liv Kelly Contributing Writer

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes.

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.
Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.
Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.
Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .
Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.
Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.
DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.
In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.
DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.
Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.
Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease.

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

tax refund for a tourist in us

Hi I am a foreign resident i am a tourist and i would like to buy a iPhone 11 pro so i would like to know if i have to pay the us tax or not and if not how can i get the tax refund thank you

iPhone 11 Pro

Posted on Dec 7, 2019 9:42 AM

Posted on Dec 7, 2019 9:54 AM

Yes, you will have to pay sales tax. Most searches I see do not allow for a refund of sales tax.

Thousands Are Eligible for Tax Refunds From 2020

The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn’t file their returns for that year are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.

An illustration showing a man filing his 1040 tax form in a mail slot, and, around the corner, he sees dollars falling out of another mail slot.

By Ann Carrns

Who wouldn’t grab an income tax refund if they had one coming?

About 940,000 people, it turns out — because they haven’t filed returns for the 2020 tax year, even though they may be due money back for that year. But there’s still close to a month left to file and collect the refunds. The Internal Revenue Service estimates that the typical refund for the people in this group is more than $900.

“There’s money remaining on the table for hundreds of thousands of people who haven’t filed 2020 tax returns,” the I.R.S. commissioner, Daniel Werfel, said in a statement. The deadline for most people to file a return and collect the refunds, which total about $1 billion, is May 17 .

Potential refunds range from a typical amount of $761 in Idaho to more than $1,000 in New York and Pennsylvania, the I.R.S. said. (Actual amounts vary depending on the filer’s tax situation.)

Some people may simply have forgotten to file a 2020 return because of “extremely unusual situations” during the pandemic, Mr. Werfel said. Still, said Eric Smith, an I.R.S. spokesman, the number of taxpayers potentially due a refund this year for 2020 is not at a record level. Last year , which was the three-year deadline to file and collect unclaimed refunds from the 2019 tax year — returns that were initially due in the depths of the pandemic in 2020 — nearly 1.5 million people were potentially due refunds, typically about $800.

The I.R.S., too, was affected by the pandemic. The agency struggled to process paper tax returns and correspondence, though the I.R.S. has “virtually eliminated our backlog of unprocessed paper returns” for individual returns, Mr. Smith said.

If you don’t file a 2020 tax return by the cutoff, you’ll lose the refund — and the Treasury Department keeps it. “Why leave that money on the table?” said Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations with the National Association of Tax Professionals.

In general, taxpayers have three years to file a return and claim refunds. (There’s no penalty for failing to file if you’re getting money back.) Tax returns for 2020 were due in 2021, but the filing deadline that year was postponed until May 17 from the usual mid-April date because of the pandemic. So the I.R.S. has also stretched the three-year window for filing those returns by a month.

Some unclaimed refunds may be owed to part-time workers and others who didn’t earn enough money to meet the requirement for filing a return. (The filing threshold in 2020 was $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for couples filing jointly; higher thresholds applied for those 65 and older.)

Potential refunds could be higher than the I.R.S. estimates because of the effect of tax credits as well as pandemic stimulus payments made in 2020. “The reality is these are conservative” estimates, Mr. Smith said.

Some people may be eligible for recovery rebate credits if they didn’t receive their pandemic stimulus checks — also known as economic impact payments — in 2020. Most eligible people did get their payments or have already claimed them as a tax credit, the I.R.S. said. But if they qualified and didn’t receive the payments, they can file a tax return to get the money as a credit — even if they had minimal or no income. The credit is “refundable,” meaning you can still get the money as a refund even if you don’t owe any tax.

Also, many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the earned-income tax credit, which is also refundable. The earned-income tax credit is based on family income and size. For 2020 , the credit was worth as much as $6,660 (for someone with income up to $50,594 and three or more children).

“That’s a substantial amount of money for working families,” Mr. O’Saben said.

Even filers without children are eligible for the credit if their income qualifies, said Andy Phillips, director of H&R Block’s Tax Institute. In 2020, a childless individual with income of up to $15,820 was potentially eligible.

People who have missed filing a tax return for one year have often missed other years as well, said Cynthia Leachmoore, president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, whose members are federally authorized tax professionals . People may initially fail to file simply because they procrastinated, or perhaps because they owed money, and then find it difficult to get back on track.

“They think it’s insurmountable,” she said. “It becomes a difficult cycle to break.”

If you haven’t filed a return for 2021 or 2022, the I.R.S. may hold your 2020 refund until you do. Also, your refund may be applied to any tax amounts you still owe or used to offset unpaid child support or other past-due federal debt, like student loans.

Be aware that 2020 returns must be filed on paper, whether you do it yourself or use a paid preparer. The I.R.S. accepts electronically filed returns for the current tax season and two years prior, Mr. Smith said. You can find prior-year tax forms online at IRS.gov, or use do-it-yourself software to prepare your return. But you’ll have to print the 2020 return and mail it to the I.R.S.

Ms. Leachmoore advised mailing the return by certified mail with a return receipt requested, so you will have proof that you met the May 17 deadline and that the I.R.S. received your return.

There are some exceptions to the extended May filing deadline, Mr. Smith said, such as military service in a combat zone or a “financial disability” that prevents you from managing your money because of a physical or mental impairment .

But in general, he said, it’s best to file the return by May 17 so you can claim your refund. “The sooner you file,” he said, “the sooner you’ll get your money.”

Here are some questions and answers about late-filed tax returns:

What if I don’t have the tax documents I need to file a 2020 return?

You can ask your employer for W-2 wage statements, businesses for 1099 forms if you worked for them as a contractor, and your bank for interest statements. If you can’t get the documents that way, you can order a free “wage and income” transcript, which shows information from various documents the I.R.S. has received about you, including W-2 wage statements and 1099 forms, using the I.R.S. “Get Transcript” online tool. Since the deadline is fast approaching, “start to do the legwork now,” Mr. O’Saben said.

When can I expect my refund after filing my 2020 return?

Filers shouldn’t expect speedy refunds because paper returns typically take longer to process, tax experts said. “It’s not going to be 21 days, like it is for electronic filing,” said April Walker, lead manager of tax practice and ethics with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. Smith at the I.R.S. said that if you filed a “complete and accurate” 2020 paper tax return, the refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date the agency received the return.

You can’t track your 2020 refund using the I.R.S. “Where’s My Refund?” service because it can be used only for the current tax season and two years prior, Mr. Smith said. You can, however, create an I.R.S. account , which can be helpful in tracking older refunds, he said.

What if I missed the April 15 deadline to file my 2023 tax return?

It’s smart to file as soon as you can, Mr. Smith said. If you’re owed a refund, you can’t get it until you file. And if you owe tax, you’ll minimize penalties and interest charged. (You can ask for a waiver of penalties, if you have a history of filing on time.)

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The way advisers handle your retirement money is about to change: More investment professionals will be required to act in their customers’ best interest when providing advice about their retirement money.

The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn’t file their tax returns in 2020 are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.

Credit card debt is rising, and shopping for a card with a lower interest rate can help you save money. Here are some things to know .

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Starting this year, some of the money in 529 college savings accounts can be used for retirement if it’s not needed for education. Here is how it works .

Are you trying to improve your credit profile? You can now choose to have your on-time rent payments reported to the credit bureaus to enhance your score.

What fliers need to know about new refund rules for airlines

Starting in about six months, U.S. airlines will have to offer customers cash refunds before vouchers

New federal rules for airlines will go into effect later this year, giving travelers a better picture of the full cost of flights before they book — and getting them an easier refund if things go awry.

After a process that lasted more than a year, the Biden administration announced the rules on passenger protections Wednesday.

“This is a big day for America’s flying public,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a news conference at Reagan National Airport.

While the trade group Airlines for America said its members “abide by — and frequently exceed — DOT regulations regarding consumer protections,” consumer advocates praised the administration’s move.

“These rules are not only critical but also common sense,” said William McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, who spoke at Wednesday’s event.

Most new rules go into effect in the fall

At the event Wednesday, Buttigieg said that “the bulk of these protections” will go into effect in about six months. Others will start in a year.

That means refund rules that get customers automatic cash refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change flights won’t be in place during the busy summer travel season. But they should be set in time for the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season rush.

Buttigieg said that the department expects airlines to take some time to develop the processes to return cash to travelers, but added that he doesn’t want them to drag their feet.

“They don’t have to wait the number of months that it’ll technically take for this to go into effect,” Buttigieg said Wednesday. “They could and should be doing this right now.”

You should get refunds without having to ask

Instead of first offering a voucher or credit, airlines “must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops,” the Transportation Department says. The refunds need to be issued within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days when bought through other methods.

However a traveler originally paid is the way the refund needs to be issued, the rule says, whether that’s by credit card or airline miles . Other types of compensation are allowed only if a passenger chooses one of those alternatives.

“No more defaulting to vouchers or credits when consumers may not even realize that they were entitled to cash,” Buttigieg said.

You can still choose to be rebooked

If travelers’ flights have been canceled or significantly changed, they can still continue with their trip. Passengers are only eligible for a refund if they have declined to accept alternative transportation.

Airlines will have to pay for delayed bags and broken WiFi

There are many ways for a trip to go awry, and the new rules cover more than just a late or canceled flight.

If a checked bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight arriving at the gate, or within 15 to 30 hours of an international flight arriving, depending on how long that flight is, passengers will be entitled to a refund of their checked-bag fee. They will need to file a mishandled baggage report.

Refunds will also be given if passengers pay for a service such as WiFi, seat selection or in-flight entertainment and the airline fails to provide.

‘Significant’ changes will be the same for all airlines

Automatic cash refunds are due to passengers if their flight experiences a “significant change.” But what does that mean? Previously, the definition could vary from airline to airline.

The new rules provide some consistency. A change is considered significant if a departure or arrival is different by more than three hours for domestic flights or six hours for international trips.

Other changes considered significant: the departure or arrival is from a different airport; there are more connections; passengers are downgraded to a lower class; or service or flights are on planes that are less accessible for a person with a disability.

No more hidden fees for bags and seat selection

The rule on extra fees — what the Biden administration refers to as “surprise junk fees in air travel” — will require airlines and online travel booking sites to disclose up front the fees for a checked bag, carry-on bag, reservation change and reservation cancellation. Those fees must be clearly noted and not shown through a hyperlink, the rule says.

Consumers must also be informed that they don’t have to pay for a seat assignment to travel and that a seat will be provided without an additional price.

“Healthy competition requires that, as a consumer, you comparison shop, which means knowing the real price of a trip before and not after you buy,” Buttigieg said. “Airlines will now be required to show you these costs up front, so you have all the information you need to decide what travel option is best for you.”

Travelers can either search without providing their personal information to see standard fees or, after entering their information, see more tailored fees that might apply given their military status, frequent-flier membership or credit card use.

“The final rule puts an end to the bait-and-switch tactics some airlines use to disguise the true cost of discounted flights,” the Transportation Department said in a news release. “Prior to the rule, some airlines were offering deceptive discounts that consumers may have believed applied to the full fare that was being advertised but only applied to a small portion of the ticket price.”

You will still have to report complaints

Buttigieg said the main way for the department to find out about a violation of the rules is when people submit complaints through the site flightrights.gov . But he said he hopes that by making refunds automatic, there will be less need for complaints — and more flexibility for employees to perform audits or spot-checks of airline compliance.

Europe-style compensation is still not in the rules

Some travelers heading to or from Europe who experience delays under certain circumstances are entitled to compensation worth more than $600. That kind of system does not exist for domestic flights in the United States, but Buttigieg said it is on the agenda.

“On compensation, we continue to develop that — and to be clear, with this rule on the books, that does not stop or slow the progress that we’re driving in terms of a compensation rule,” he said.

More on air travel

Leave flying to the pros: Think you could land a plane in an emergency? Experts say you’re wrong . Here’s what you should actually do if something goes awry during a flight .

Pet peeves: Why do “gate lice” line up early for a flight ? Psychologists explained for us. Another move that annoys airline workers: abusing the flight attendant call button . For more on how to behave on a flight, check out our 52 definitive rules of flying .

Plane mess: Stories about extremely disgusting airplanes have been grossing out travelers. The question of plane cleanups became the subject of a recent debate after a flight attendant allegedly told a pregnant passenger to pick up the popcorn spilled by her toddler.

Frequent flying: Airline status isn’t what it used to be, but at least there are some good movies and TV shows to watch in the air. And somewhere out there, experts are trying to make airline food taste good.

IMAGES

A Quick Look at Tax (Tourist) Refund Schemes
NOTICE ON REGULAR TRAVEL TAX REFUND
VAT Refund for Tourists Process
How to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist for Shopping? [2021]
How to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist, Resident for Shopping ? FAQs
How to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist, Resident for Shopping ? FAQs

COMMENTS

How to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist for Shopping? [2023]
In Texas, you need to have a minimum of $12 tax per receipt or combined receipts from the same brand stores. Technically, in Texas with an 8.25% sales tax, you need to purchase for at least $150 USD in a single store or brand outlet to be eligible for the refund.
COMPLETE guide to visitor tax refunds in the USA [2024]
Requirements for a refund include presenting original receipts, meeting minimum purchase amounts, making purchases within 30 days of departure, and taking the items out of the U.S. Foreign visitors to the U.S., including those on B1 and B2 visas, contribute to the 79 million international tourists annually. While shopping, they pay sales tax ...
Tax-Free In The USA For Foreigners And Tourists From ...
Tax-Free in the USA works differently than in Europe, so I prepared a guide on how foreigners can return sales taxes (tax refunds) or buy goods without VAT in the USA. ... Texas - It works similarly, but in addition, a flight ticket or other travel document is also required. In Texas, you can also make a tax refund at the airport or at 14 ...
Helpful Tips for Effectively Receiving a Tax Refund for Taxpayers
If you file Form 1040-NR, you have the option of providing an alternative mailing address outside the United States for the refund check. If you move or change the physical address where a paper check will be mailed, make sure you file Form 8822, ... Nonresident aliens who request a refund of tax withheld on a Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S ...
How to Claim Sales Tax Back When Leaving the United States
You will need to show original retail receipts that total a minimum of $12 in sales taxes per store location. Visit one of many "Texas Tax Back" offices to get refunds before you leave the state. Refunds require your passport and a photo ID, along with a valid tourist visa if applicable.
Can U.S. tourists get a sales tax refund when leaving the country
Louisiana tax free shopping program - Individuals traveling in the U.S. for less than 90 days and who hold a foreign passport, US Visitor's Visa and an international transportation ticket to leave the country can apply for a refund on sales tax paid at a few qualifying retailers. Learn more at the Louisiana Tax Free Shopping Program website.
Taxes
State sales tax ranges from nearly 3 to 7.5 percent nationally. However, counties and cities can levy additional sales taxes. So if you are making a large purchase, it pays to ask about the sales tax in advance. (It will also be printed on your sales receipt.) When you are securing a service you might also be charged a tax.
CBP Customer Service
Loading. ×Sorry to interrupt. CSS Error
united states
Tax Refund: The US generally does not refund tax like other countries. For larger sales, you might want to try state tax refunds, ... Otherwise there might be special rules for things like cars and planes and yachts, but ordinary tourist purchases won't be refunded. - Zach Lipton. Jun 18, 2016 at 2:13. Add a comment |
Publication 463 (2023), Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses
Travel in the United States. The following discussion applies to travel in the United States. For this purpose, the United States includes the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The treatment of your travel expenses depends on how much of your trip was business related and on how much of your trip occurred within the United States.
How to use your tax refund for travel
KAITLYN ROSETI/FOR THE POINTS GUY. With a more modest tax refund, visitors can still plan an awesome trip, either domestically or abroad. The lowest tax refund is, typically, in Maine, where the average taxpayer saw a refund of $3,144 (based on tax year 2021). With that money, a solo traveler could travel to Cartagena, Colombia.
Tax refunds
Undelivered and unclaimed tax refund checks. Every year, millions of federal and state tax refunds go undelivered or unclaimed. Learn how to claim your refund if you did not file a return or if your check never got to you. Check the status of your tax refund. Learn about unclaimed tax refunds and what to do if your refund is lower than expected.
U.S. Tax Issues For Visitors And Work Permit Holders
This article will address concerns about the taxation of non-U.S. citizens who want to visit the U.S. but do not want to trigger liability for U.S. income taxes. While this cannot serve as legal U ...
I am visiting from another country. Can I get a refund of sales taxes
In the United States, sales tax is imposed at the point of transfer of title or possession. Therefore, if a non-resident visitor to the United States purchases any taxable items and takes possession of the goods at the retailer's location, sales tax is due and there is generally no refund of the sales tax paid simply because the goods will be ...
Tax exemptions − Travel information − American Airlines
Mexico Tourism Tax (UK) exemptions. Mexican citizen (Passport) Resident of Mexico (permanent or temporary) holding a Mexico Visa. Infant under the age of two. Diplomat. Transit/transfer passenger remaining less than 24 hours in Mexico; passengers stopping over in Mexico aren't entitled to a refund.
Where's My Refund?
Where's My Refund shows your refund status: Return Received - We received your return and are processing it. Refund Approved - We approved your refund and are preparing to issue it by the date shown. Refund Sent - We sent the refund to your bank or to you in the mail. It may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks ...
How increasing tourist taxes are going to impact travelers
Paris: - About €4 ($4.35) per person, per night. Dominican Republic: 23% of the hotel rate goes to taxes. Antigua and Barbuda: $100 for entry/exit fee. Honolulu: Up to 18% of the nightly lodging ...
TaxFree Shopping
TaxFree Shopping partners with the U.S. Travel industry and International tour companies every year, to feature and promote shopping and economic tourism to the State of Texas! TaxFree Shopping - With our world-class, bilingual customer service, we are your premier partner to receive your sales tax refund in Texas!
Value-Added Tax (VAT): Definition, Who Pays
A value-added tax, or VAT, is a tax on products or services when sellers add value to them. In some countries, VAT is called goods and services tax, or GST. Similar to a sales tax or excise tax ...
California sales tax refund for international tourists
Reimbursement sites: US citizens and non-US citizens can request a tax refund at all the main terminals of the international airport, which would have a tax refund counter. ... Tips for a tax refund as a tourist or resident in the United States: In general, it is a good idea to pay a tax, if you go shopping and take it home. The only ...
Tax Deduction for US Tourists: A Comprehensive Guide
In Texas, each receipt must contain a minimum of $12 in tax, or multiple receipts from the same chain retailers may be pooled. To be eligible for the return, you must technically spend at least $150 USD in a single store or brand outlet in Texas, where the sales tax rate is 8.25%. Time Limit: The purchase must be done within 30 days of the day ...
Tourist Taxes: Full List of Destinations Charging a Tourist Tax in 2024
In Indonesia, the only destination which charges a tourist tax is Bali, and the fee is set to increase this February to $10 (£7.70, €8.90, IDR 150,000) - but is a one-time entry fee, not a ...
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic
Media Contact. Press Office. US Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 United States. Email: [email protected] Phone: 1 (202) 366-4570 If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
How to Claim Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refunds by Rick Steves
And the process is fairly easy: Bring your passport along on your shopping trip (a photo of your passport should work), get the necessary documents from the retailer, and file your paperwork at the airport, port, or border when you leave. In Europe, standard European Union Value-Added Tax ranges from 8 to 27 percent per country.
tax refund for a tourist in us
ChrisJ4203. Level 10. 230,347 points. Dec 7, 2019 9:54 AM in response to chloesaymens. Yes, you will have to pay sales tax. Most searches I see do not allow for a refund of sales tax.
Thousands Are Eligible for Tax Refunds From 2020
The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn't file their returns for that year are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.
New federal rules on airline refunds require cash instead of vouchers
The Biden Administration proposed its change to the refund rules in 2022 after a surge in complaints about refunds when the coronavirus brought air travel to a standstill.
What fliers need to know about new refund rules for airlines
By Hannah Sampson. April 24, 2024 at 7:26 p.m. EDT. (Washington Post illustration; iStock) Most new rules go into effect in the fall. You should get refunds without having to ask. You can still ...

How to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist, Resident for Shopping ? FAQs

Do you get a Tax Refund for Shopping in the US at Malls or Online Stores?

Tax Refund: State Sales Tax vs. Federal Sales Tax?

The US Government does not refund Sales Tax to Visitors

Requirements to get Tax Refund in USA as Tourist or Resident

Tips for Tax Refund as a Tourist or Resident in the US

Common FAQs

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Tax-Free in the USA for Foreigners and Tourists from Other Countries

Is There a Tax-Free Program in the USA?

Tax-Free Shopping in the USA – List of States

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How to Claim Sales Tax Back When Leaving the United States

U.S. Sales Taxes Vs. VAT/GST

Tax Refunds for Foreign Visitors

Louisiana Sales Tax Refund Process

Texas Sales Tax Refund Procedures

Proposed Washington State Refunds

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There’s No Federal US Sales Tax

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The basics of US sales tax

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Tax exemptions

Belize Airport Development Tax (BU) exemptions

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Mexico Departure Tax (TUA) (XD) exemptions

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