Sales Tax??

[LondonMom]

Hiya
This may sound like an obvious or silly question - and I have travelled to the states all my life and never knew this - But can you claim the sales tax you pay each time you buy something back at the airport??

A Canadian guy I work with insists this is what I should do each time I visit US, but I have never heard of anyone doing it there?

Has anyone ever done this, if so, how do you go about it?
Thanks Jo

 

[gilld]

You certainly used to be able to do this....though we have never bothered.

 

[gavvy]

No sorry you cannot claim back any of the Tax you pay in america :-(

 

[wickesy]

He might be comparing it with Canada where you can claim sales tax back on all purchases over $50.

 

[Claire L]

Gavvy and Wickesy are right I have enquired about claiming tax back from pruchases in Florida and you can't do it, unlike Canada where tourists can claim their tax back

Claire

 

[gavvy]

Im sure the American can claim VAT back here. How very dare they

 

[kristieuk]

I do know that if you are in a department store such as Macy's, if you go to customer services with your passport, they will give you a tourist discount card, which gives you, I think, 11% discount (not sure why 11% though).

 

[steve_rob]

I think there are some states in the US that let tourists claim tax back, but they are few and far between. Certainly Louisiana used to, cause I remember seeing an advert in a travel brouchure for it.

 

[LondonMom]

Thanks guys, thought he got it wrong, dumb Canadian! (joke).

 

[Laurafoster]

Thats a shame, i would have liked that idea!!

 

[DebIreland]

How very dare they

 

[gismo1554]

LOL I know we are too nice to Americans! They get to claim stuff back and we don't! Still never mind prices are still cheaper in the US for most things than here.

 

[gavvy]

LOL I know we are too nice to Americans! They get to claim stuff back and we don't! Still never mind prices are still cheaper in the US for most things than here.

I did not think of that- If I was American I think I would view the UK as one great Rip off lol

 

[Mrs Night-Train]

Last year we gave all our receipts to our American friend, Janet, and she was able to claim the tax, and it amounted to quite a bit. It was better in her pocket!!!!!!

 

[gismo1554]

I did not think of that- If I was American I think I would view the UK as one great Rip off lol

Most American's I know think that (mind you so do I today after spending £7 on lunch and getting 11 spirals of pasta in a mushroom sauce - and yes I did count because I couldn't believe it was so small)

 

[Laurafoster]

Think i need to find an american friend who can claim back for me lol