Common sense of German tax refund

There are many immigrants to Germany, so what are the tax refund knowledge that German immigrants must know? It must be a concern of people who go abroad. Don't worry, let's take a look at the common sense of German tax refund with the immigration column. Welcome to reading.

Common sense of German tax refund

In Germany, the value-added tax is between 7% and 19%. As tourists from China (whose residence must be outside the EU), they can apply for refund of the value-added tax on goods purchased in the EU when they leave the EU. It means that you can save a lot of money by tax refund. Many people only know that Germany is one of the countries with relatively high tax rebate in Europe, but they still have a little knowledge of the differences, tax rates and operation methods, and there is a great misunderstanding about the so-called 19% tax rebate. How to get a tax refund? What are the new rules? Let's study together.

1. Who can get a tax refund? What is the purchase time of tax refund goods?

Non-EU/KLOC-tourists over 0/8 years old will stay in Germany for a short period with a tourist, family visit or business visa of no more than 90 days. (Note: Switzerland does not belong to the European Union, so people with Swiss passports can also get a tax refund when they buy things in Germany. )

Tax refund period: the interval between shopping and export, that is, the interval between shopping date and customs stamp date, is not allowed to exceed three months.

Switzerland: The tax refund in Switzerland is valid for one month, that is, the period from the date of shopping (based on the date indicated on the tax refund form) to the date of departure (based on the date on the customs seal) shall not exceed 30 days.

Second, how to refund the tax? Where can I return it?

Simply put, you can apply for a tax refund if you go shopping for 25 euros. There are two kinds of tax refund forms: single writing and machine typing, which have the same effect, but whether printed or handwritten, personal information must be complete (name, address, zip code, passport number, etc. ). The tax refund form must be put together with the original invoice.

Third, tax refund steps

The airport should go to the counter to check in first (even if it is done online, you must go to the counter again if you have checked your luggage).

Tax refund items are in the checked baggage:

When handling check-in and baggage consignment, the tax refund personnel explain to the airline staff that there are items in the baggage that need to be refunded. The airline will put labels on the luggage, and the tax refund person can take the labeled luggage to the customs service counter to show the tax refund items (at the same time, he must show the completed tax refund form, passport and visa) and stamp the tax refund certificate. After obtaining the customs tax refund stamp, the customs service counter will send the checked baggage to the taxpayer's flight. It is best to go through the tax refund formalities at least three hours in advance during the tourist season of winter and summer vacations. Customs will spot-check the returned goods (plainclothes will patrol the airport to check some goods actually used in Germany). After the customs stamp, they will take the tax refund form to the corresponding company to collect the tax refund amount.

Tax refund items are in hand luggage:

First of all, the tax refund person needs to apply for the customs tax refund stamp at the corresponding customs service counter, that is, the "export confirmation". You need to show the goods to be refunded, the completed tax refund form, and your passport and visa. After the customs inspection is correct, stamp the tax refund form of the tax refund person. After stamping, you can collect the tax refund at the counter of the corresponding tax refund service company.

Many merchants only accept shop tax refund, that is to say, at the airport, whether it is checked baggage or hand luggage, the customs will not collect money after stamping, and return to the shop where the goods were originally purchased with invoices and tax refund forms. For example, DM supermarket, so you can only invite familiar friends living in Germany to help.

Tax refund service companies with service counters at Frankfurt Airport include Global Blue, TaxFree Worldwide, TaxFree Germany or Premier TaxFree.

You can also collect your tax refund at Travelex and the currency exchange counter of the international currency exchange office (there is a service charge).

Four, the algorithm of tax rate and the difference between the two tax refund methods.

Generally speaking, depending on the amount, the tax rate of tax refund for lanlian at the airport ranges from 10% to 14% below 7000 euros, and 14.5% above 7000 euros. The amount here refers to the price including tax, that is, the normal selling price of goods (Brutto).

If you return the goods in the store, the legendary 19% refund refers to 19% of the actual price, not 19% of the commodity price. Because the goods sold in the store already include the consumption tax of 19%, that is, 1 19% does not include tax, to calculate the tax of 19%, you must first know the net price of the goods without tax. Examples are as follows:

If the commodity price is 7000 Euros, the airport can refund 14.5%, which is the tax of 10 15 Euros; If you take it back to the store and return it, you can get a tax of 15.97%, which is117.9 euros. Here is an equation: 7000/1.19 *19% = 7000 *15.97%. Simply put, 19% tax rebate is 15.97% of the commodity price.

As for the time limit, Germany stipulates that you must get the customs seal within three months after issuing the invoice, and you can go to Global Blue Union to collect the tax money within four years; Because most merchants are reluctant to return goods at the store, even a few allowed goods usually have a period of three months or half a year, because the tax refund at the store is very troublesome for financial statements, and it is best to complete it within this year.

Five: How can I get a refund?

In the past, Global Blue Union didn't charge a handling fee for cash withdrawal, but now it collects cash at the airport, and each bill charges a handling fee of 3 euros! No matter how much the tax refund is. Choose to pay back the credit card or Alipay, free of charge.

It should be noted that if you choose to return Alipay, you only need to fill in your Alipay mobile phone number. Because this business is relatively new, not all tax refund forms can fill in Alipay accounts at present.

To return your credit card, just fill in your credit card number. It usually arrives in 10 to 15 days. In order to avoid the failure to receive the tax refund, please be sure to

From now on, if the goods purchased in other EU cities outside Germany leave Germany, you can't withdraw cash in Germany, you can only fill in a credit card or Alipay account.

Six: Things bought in Switzerland cannot be returned in EU countries.

If you go shopping in Switzerland, you must apply for a tax refund when you leave Switzerland. Otherwise, if you finally return to China and take off in Germany, then things bought in Switzerland can't be refunded in Germany.

Seven. Other issues

How to deal with customs stamps if tourists transfer or return to China through another EU country?

If the tax refund person transits another EU country or returns to China, the checked baggage needs to be stamped by the tax refund person at the local customs before boarding the plane, while the hand-held articles can be stamped at the airport of the last country before leaving the EU.

How to track tax refund

It is suggested that the tax refund applicant keep a copy before sending the tax refund application form, or record the ID number ("ID number") of the tax refund application form. Document ID number (DOC-ID) is the identification number of tax refund shopping transaction. It is a unique number consisting of 16 digits or 20 digits. You can find it under the bar code of the tax refund application form.

Does tax refund shopping apply to those services (hotel accommodation, restaurant checkout, supermarket food purchase, etc.). )?

Not applicable. Although this service can also be taxed, it is not applicable to VAT refund.

Does tax refund shopping apply to goods purchased by mail or online?

Not applicable.

Can the purchased goods be used before leaving the country?

I can't. Before showing it to the customs, the purchased goods must be in an unused state and in the original packaging. Otherwise, the customs officer may refuse to stamp your tax refund application form.