Taxes

What is the deal with taxes in France if you%26#39;re an American. If I buy something over a certain amount can I get the tax knocked off if I show my passport?? What kind of tax do you pay when leaving at the airport. (assuming I don%26#39;t declare anything)

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There is a tax throughout Europe called the VAT (Value Added Tax) it differs from country to country and in some cases by product. You can be reimbursed the VAT if you spend an adequate number of Euros in one shop at one time, and you don%26#39;t use the products while in the EEC.

To get your refund, you go to the VAT desk at the airport (of your point of departure from the EEC) with the forms from the store(s), and receipts and the products for examination, and get your refund there, or have it credited directly to your credit card. If you don%26#39;t have adequate time before your flight, you can send the forms from home, but I%26#39;d always rather have my cash in hand.

I%26#39;m sure that if you do a search for VAT you%26#39;ll come up with more information than you thought could exist.

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Get proper paperwork from store (has to be 175 Euros), have merchandise in your hand luggage for possible inspection at airport and go through customs desk.

You can mail your paperwork from States but it must be stamped at airport when you leave country.

This is very good on luxury items where you get 19-21 % back.

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To expand just a bit on the information already provided:

If you are making a qualified purchase, the vendor will issue you the required detax forms. There are two ways in which the VAT may be refunded:

1 - Immediately by the vendor, reducing the price of the purchase. The government later reimburses the vendor (the vendor is a risk if you do not properly process the de tax forms).

2 - You purchase at full retail and mail the stamped tax forms for reimbursement directly from the government to you.

In either event, you must present the de tax forms, your passport, the merchandise, and your airline ticket to the agent at the de tax window usually found near your airline check in counter. If you are packing these purchases in your checked luggage, visit the de tax desk first before proceeding to the airline check in counter, the agent will verify that you do indeed have the purchases in your possession before he will stamp your forms. Mail the stamped forms in the postage paid envelope provided by your vender. There is usually a mail box near the detax desk.

Those traveling to North America from CDG must pay a 10 Euro departure tax (I do not know if French citizens pay this tax). The tax is usually included in your ticket price. There are no taxes due on anything you purchase when leaving France.

However, an explanation of the taxes you may be required to pay upon returning to the US may be an additional concern.

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