VAT REFUND FOR VISITORS IN MALAGA

Have you heard about this? You can request and refund the 8-21% VAT of your purchases if you are a tourist and you reside outside of the European Union!

I tell you why, and how to do it easily!

In short, how is VAT refund made?

You  spend your holidays shopping (be sure to bring your passport) ... and keeping your purchase tickets. Remember that you  must have spent more than 90.15 euros in the same store to refund the VAT.

The last day that you don´t want to make more purchases in the store, you ask them for the invoice for VAT refund, with all your purchase tickets.

The day you say goodbye to Spain and you are leaving the European Union, and when you're at the airport you must go to VAT Refund Office, where you give to them all purchase invoices (no receipts or tickets), and is where they may require to see  the products buyed. (This is located before checking the luggage and before security control). You must also show your passport and your boarding pass or airline ticket with your travel itinerary (no problem with the boarding pass in your mobile phone).

Once in the boarding area, you can obtain the refund directly from the collaborating companies, you will find the office which will give you a smile! finally YOU COLLECT YOUR MONEY  ... in the currency that you prefer!!!

But, what is the VAT?

The Value-Added Taxes, called in Spain as "Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido, IVA", which is paid for all customers who live in an European Union country when using a service or buying goods. In Spain this sales tax is 21%.

Why to refund the VAT to the foreigners tourists?

Because the %VAT included in the price of the product, it´s a tax which must be declared  and gave by the seller to the goverment.

But it´s considered the goods carried by travelers, who have not habitual residence in Europe, they don´t have a commercial expedition (as it is real occasionally acquired for personal, family or gift),so it is not intended to comercial activity and non-business purposes.

All European Union countries have this tax by the same value, so all Europeans  residents should pay it and they can not request VAT refund.

So who can request VAT refund of their goods purchased?

All foreigners or european non-resident in Spain or a country of the European Union who are travelling to a third country (outside of Europe), and they have made purchases over 90.15 Euros in each establishment.

Also applies to residents of Ceuta, Melilla, Canary Islands, Gibraltar and Andorra

What are the requirements to request VAT Refund?

The establishment where you buy have TAX FREE Service. (usually you will see some stickers at the entrance) and this establishent must give to the consumer the total bill-invoice. For example. "El Corte Ingles, Zara, Mango...(Inditex)...

At least you have made purchases over 90,15 Euros at each establishment, and the total bill must be requested, showing them all the purchase tickets and passport. The property will give you a Tax Free Document with all the information.

It does not apply to restaurants, hotel bills, food, and some products.

The goods buyed must leave before 3 months. (Maximum time spent for tourists)

The refund procedure occurs at the airport before leaving Spain, if your next destination is outside of the EU.

You must take what you bought, at the time of request  VAT refund at the airport to show the things if it is asked.

More information: www.agenciatributaria.es

If you have any question, I´ll try to help you! 

So have fun, go shopping in Malaga and enjoy your VAT REFUND!!!

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