V.A.T in UK

[Ivor Biggun]

I'm going back to the UK soon for a holiday. Due to having been here a few years and now classed as a non-resident, of the UK, do I still have to pay V.A.T or not ? Am I treated as a tourist with regards to it ?

[Thormaturge]

If you buy goods in the UK with a view to removing them from the country then, yes, you can reclaim the VAT.

You would still have to pay VAT on services and utilities you use whilst on holiday in the UK though.

[Ivor Biggun]

Thanks for that, easy sorted

[William]

^Also, I don't think you get VAT back on all purchases, I think it needs to be a minimum amount, say GBP 100 (purchase price). I could be wrong, but that used to be the case. Also, I think the shop needs to give you a refund form.

[Fabian]

^ All that Wiliam said is right and is the case everywhere in the EU.

[oldgit]

You may have British passport but after being out of the country two years plus you are not entitled to free NHS treatment, wecome home Ivor Biggun, sorry off topic!

[Deus Ex]

Don't tell them you left (NHS)

[Thormaturge]

The £ 100 will be an administrative limit. The legislation doesn't state a minimum amount, but HM Revenue and Customs aren't going to want to be inundated with petty claims, so William is right in mentioning this. On the commercial level cross border claims amalgamate sums large and small into one quarterly figure.

[PattyFlipper]

The shop you buy from also has to be a 'participant' in the scheme, which basically just means that they have the forms, which they sign and stamp. Not sure if the procedure is still the same, but when I claimed a refund at the airport about 5 years ago, the refund desk wanted to see the actual item purchased (presumably to make sure I was actually exporting it), so don't pack it in your checked baggage until you have claimed your refund. The £100 minimum must be a relatively new regulation, as I have claimed refunds for less than that in the past.

[Thai Pom]

I did it last month, the Hundred pounds is correct...