VAT Refund
VAT stands for Value Added Tax, which is a tax rate automatically
added to goods and services sold in France in restaurants, shops, and
hotels. The standard rate at the time of this post is up to 20%.
This means that tax is already added to the price you see that’s listed.
There is no additional tax added at the end of the transaction
because it’s already in the price.
The VAT will cover the tax on clothing, jewelry, French linens or
kitchen items, and anything you can carry and bring back with you.
The VAT does not cover hotel stays or meals, although business
travelers might be an exception.
If you happen to buy anything over 100.01 euros and have that
amount on one receipt or from multiple receipts in a dept store, you are
entitled to get the VAT (Value Added Tax) back.
- You need to ask for the VAT refund paperwork when you are checking out. Some retailers will automatically assume you want it, and others don’t want to do the paperwork so they won’t ask.
- You must have your passport with you in the store at the time of purchase. If not, they won’t be able to process the paperwork. You can also have a picture of our passport on your phone to use as well.
- The big department stores (Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette) have a specific Detax office where you will take your receipts and everything is handled for you, hopefully even mailed in for you.
- If you aren’t at one of the department stores then you will need to turn in your VAT paperwork once you are leaving Paris at the airport.
- Arrive at the airport early if you are turning in your paperwork there. I have stood in a line for 10 minutes up to 30 minutes during the busy season.
- You should go to the Tax Refund office before you check in although there have been a few times that I forgot and went after I checked in for my flight and had no issue. However, I would suggest going before you check your luggage in case there are any questions.
- There are times when the customs agents will want to see your purchases.
- Each terminal will have a Tax Refund Office and they are clearly labeled with signs throughout the airport.
- Have all of your VAT forms ready to go. Each retailer should have put your form in a specific envelope.
- The offices now have free-standing kiosks in them which say DETAXE TAX REFUND. The process is very simple. Choose which language option you want when you get up to the kiosk. There will be prompts telling you what to do. Basically, there is a bar code on each VAT form that you will scan. After that, you will seal up the envelopes and there are boxes where you will drop your envelope with the forms.
- Then wait anywhere from one to three months usually and you will see a refund on your credit card.