Can you claim back taxes from shopping in the US?

[ChisJo]

Just curious....when we go to the UK, we can claim back VAT. Its really nice to get money back after a trip.

Can we do this for taxes paid in the US from shopping?

 

[ccudmore]

Not sure but it's highly unlikely. Unlike the UK VAT and Canadian HST/GST, US sales taxes are locally administered by states, counties and cities. There is no national sales tax. Administering any such rebate would be a administrative nightmare given the huge number of jurisdictions that would be involved.

 

[cab0899]

Depends on the state. We live in Manitoba so shop in North Dakota (where you can get the tax back) or Minneapolis (where you can't).

 

[mtmbyck]

That's because Minneapolis doesn't charge tax (at least on nothing I bought at Mall of America). Now there's a place to shop! I have shopped in Michigan and NewYork and you cannot apply for tax back. In fact! If you over spend your limit, they will kindly charge you HST on your purchases!

 

[ChisJo]

That's because Minneapolis doesn't charge tax (at least on nothing I bought at Mall of America). Now there's a place to shop! I have shopped in Michigan and NewYork and you cannot apply for tax back. In fact! If you over spend your limit, they will kindly charge you HST on your purchases!

In AB, its still just GST. I get charged every single trip. I apparently like to shop too much

 

[Northstar]

Well, Canada stopped giving GST rebates back to U.S. tourists years ago. I wouldn't think there are any U.S. states that want Canadian tourism so much that they would give a rebate on sales tax... and that is the only reason any jurisdiction ever gives rebates. It is to encourage tourism.

But I'd be happy to find out the contrary!

 

[erinbharris]

I'm also in Manitoba and we fill out the paper work to get the ND tax back every year. We go down about 6x per year and just save all of our receipts and do it all at once.

 

[ChisJo]

I'm also in Manitoba and we fill out the paper work to get the ND tax back every year. We go down about 6x per year and just save all of our receipts and do it all at once.

Where do you submit everything? Do you know of a weblink that could explain this?

 

[osprey6]

Many US states either have no sales tax or a restricted sales tax. Delaware is an example of the former, Pennsylvania of the latter. Pennsylvania, for example, charges no tax on food, other than food intended to be consumed on premises, or on clothes, except for that intended for a special purpose (like swimsuits).

It's something to consider if you find yourself near an outlet mall or a big box store in those states. There is for example, a relatively new outlet mall just off I-79 at the Meadow Lands exit near Canonsburg.

 

[glendalais]

Where do you submit everything? Do you know of a weblink that could explain this?

According to the Office of the State Tax Commission in North Dakota, residents of Canada may claim back sales tax on individual receipts totaling more than US$25.00, with a total refund amount of at least US$15.00.

A brochure describing the process can be found here. You can submit an application here (orignal receipts would need to be posted to their offices in Bismarck, N.D.).

 

[ChisJo]

Thank you Glendalais for posting that!

 

[Queenofallthings]

The cheques I get back from our shopping trips to North Dakota are my spending money for our Disney Trips...I think I shop a little too much