VAT - I'm back in the U.S.

I suppose you could paste them in your trip scrapbook. The official site: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/overseas-visitors.htm Rick Steves' explanation and how-to article: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/vat.htm

They're yours until the end of days.

We have never applied for VAT refunds believing the tax paid for all the free things we enjoyed like museums, TI offices, etc.

Chris, although it is true that the receipts can do nothing for you now, don't fret too much. You said you did save all of the VAT receipts throughout our visit to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland which sounds like a lot of receipts. My guess is that a lot of them would not have been claimable. You can only reclaim VAT which has been paid for unused physical items which you take home with you unused and which have been purchased from a shop participating in the scheme. You can't claim VAT for services received such as hotels, meals, tickets (train, theatre, or museum, etc.), items consumed or used during the visit, etc., nor for fuel, car-rental, flights or parking. Haircuts and all personal services are out.

There was the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form that I had to complete before going through US customs in the Dublin Airport where I remember writing the amount of $500 answering - " Residents- the total value of all goods, including commercial merchandise I/we have purchased or aquired abroad, (including gifts for someone else, but not items mailed to the U.S.) and am/are bringing to the U.S. is:" We were the first to arrive at this area since we RAN (airline had put a gate closing time that caused us to panic). While we were filling the questionarre out a mad rush of others who were on the same flight came running around the corner. Anyway, I handed the document over to the attendant who stamped something and then I was directed to another customs agent where they passed me through. Is this the stamp that people are talking about? If so, do I have a way of pursuing the VAT return with my receipts?

Chris - that form you are discussing is for the US Custom & Border patrol, not VAT. The VAT form would have had to have been filled out at a separate desk. I don't know where it is in the Dublin airport, but most likely it would have been before you went through security as you can be asked to physically show the items you are trying to get VAT back for. I do the same as Monte; I feel the taxes I am paying are helping the countries I love to visit. Of course, I tend to not buy expensive items.

Chris, the links I posted above explain it. You don't just save up a bunch of receipts and get your VAT back. Short version: (1) You must get a form completed and signed by the merchant at the point of sale of any goods for which you want VAT refund. (2) You must submit all those merchant forms and a claim for reimbursement form to Customs* before you leave the country (usually that's at the airport), where they have a right to inspect the goods. IF they OK your form, you mail it in from there. *That is NOT US Customs. It's the Customs office of the country you are leaving.

' They're yours until the end of days. ' All the above had to be done before you left. You've left. It's over. End of story.

The good news is that if the total value of your purchases was only $500, a VAT refund would not have netted you much. As noted in another post, some of the things you bought wouldn't have been eligible for a VAT refund or the value would have been to low for the merchant to fill out the forms. So lesson learned and you can sleep well knowing you didn't lose out on more than about $50.

Thanks everybody. I do feel a little better knowing it would have only been about $50. I also can see how that amount could easily be volunteered back to justify the free access to the museums. With the day we had flying back, I believe the time spent running through the terminal and making our flight was the right decision rather than going through the hassle of proper processing of a $50 VAT refund and missing our flight. Thanks again everyone.