Where do I get my value added tax forms stamped?

Question

I just got back from Ireland. Because of my schedule, I was unable to get my value added tax refund at the airport in Ireland. However, the envelope I'd been given said that I could and should get them stamped by a customs agent in my own country and then send for the refund by mail. However, once I returned to the U.S., the customs agent said, "We don't do that; we haven't for about ten years."

Has anyone gone through this recently? What is the best way to get a value added tax refund after returning to the U.S.?

This refund is about thirty Euros, nothing to sneeze at!

Answer 1

It's not worth the hassle.I had about the same amount a couple of years ago.I ended up just ripping the forms and not bothering to submit the forms.The next time i went i got it done at the airport.

Answer 2

Providing you did all the paperwork correctly when you made your purchases, you can have them authorised by a Notary Public in the US. Keep in mind they are only valid for 30 days after they have been issued.

The validated tax refund documents can then be mailed back to the stores where you made your purchase and a refund will be issued.

If this seems a bit complicated, there are a few companies that do all the work for you for a commission of about 2%, which might possibly work out cheaper than posting off documents to the individual stores.

It's a shame you didn't get this done before you left the airport, the cost of getting a notary to authorise your receipts may work out more expensive than the refund is worth.

The links below may help.

PS: don't mind Podge and Rodge, they're tv celebrities and won't blow their noses with anything less than a fifty euro note.

Answer 3

If it's only 30 yoyo's we wouldn't bother. Sher you wouldn't get a few pints and a drop of Jameson for that.