VAT in Europe is tax imposed on products and in Australia they’re called GST. When you go to the United States you have to pay sales tax if you’re buying Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Hermes or Dior Bags. This post is about how to claim sales tax back in the United States when you’re a tourist just like when you go shopping in Europe.

Tax refund guide per country

Guide to tax refund in Europe VAT refund rate in Europe Guide to tax refund in Czech Republic Guide to tax refund in Sweden Guide to tax refund in Switzerland Guide to tax refund in United States Guide to tax refund in Canada Guide to tax refund in Australia Guide to tax refund in China Guide to tax refund in Japan Guide to tax refund in Korea Guide to tax refund in Malaysia Guide to tax refund in Singapore Countries with cash limit transactions

Unfortunately, there is no way to refund the sales tax in most of the States in the US. However, there are some exceptions:

• There are States with no sales tax: so when you go shopping in these States, you don’t need sales tax.
• There are two States where you actually can apply for tax refund: this only applies for tourist.

But let’s start with the basics. What is sales tax? And how much is the sales tax?

What is Sales Tax?

Sales tax in the United States is a consumption tax on goods and services. Every product you purchase must be included with Sales Tax. Sometimes the price tag in the shop doesn’t include this, so be aware that the ultimate price might be higher. Local citizens, tourists and other foreigners are all required to pay this tax. The retailers collect the sales taxes at the moment of transaction. So when you go to the cashier and pay, the retailer will add the sales tax on the top of the product price.

How much is the sales tax?

Each country in Europe has their own VAT. It is the same in the United States, each State has their own rate of sales tax. The rate varies and can go up or down every year.Even inside the States, the sales tax can be different in every city. Capital cities and larger cities that attract a lot of visitors or tourists can have higher sales taxes.

States with no sales tax

A few states in the US do not impose sales taxes, because they want to encourage people to shop. The states that do not have sales taxes are Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. If you’re travelling in the US and you’re lucky enough to visit these States, make sure you shop until you drop.

States with tax refund

There are two states that have a tax refund program for tourists, they’re Louisana and Texas. You can claim the sales tax back after shopping. There are rules of course and processes that you need to go follow. But it works just like claiming VAT back in Europe. Here is how:

How to claim tax refund in Louisana?

1. Search for the sign ‘Louisiana Tax Free Shopping’: there are now over 1500 stores that have this sign. The stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Gucci, Coach and many more high fashion product sellers.2. Show your passport: When you make the purchase, you need to show your foreign passport to verify you’re eligible for tax refund.3. You pay with sales tax: When you buy, you’re going to pay the purchase price, which include the sales tax. The sales tax can be refunded later on.4. Collect the voucher, sales receipt of invoice: It’s important that you let the SA know you’re a tourist, so that she can give you all the necessary papers.5. The Refund Center: To claim the sales tax back, go to the nearest ‘Refund Center’. The centers are located in different places:

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Main Lobby – Terminal C Opening time: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Tel: (504) 467-0723	New Orleans Refund Center The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk – Level B Opening time: Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am- 6:00 pm Tel: (504) 568-3605
Macy’s Refund Center – Lakeside Shopping Center 3301 Veterans Blvd. 3rd Floor -Executive Offices Metairie, LA 70002 Opening time: Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Tel: (504) 484-4665	Macy’s Refund Center – Mall of Louisiana 6401 Bluebonnet Blvd. 2nd Floor -Kid’s Department Baton Rouge, LA 70836 Opening time: Monday – Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Tel: (225) 757 -7394
Dillard’s Refund Center – Acadiana Mall 5725 Johnston Road Lafayette, LA 70503 Opening time: Monday- Saturday 10am – 5pm Sunday 11am – 5pm Tel: (337) 989-8139	Louisiana Boardwalk 540 Boardwalk Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111 Opening time: Monday-Saturday: 10am – 9pm Sundays: 11am – 7pm Tel: (318) 752-1455

6. Show your papers: When you’re at the Refund Center, present all your vouchers and receipts. You also need to show your passport and international travel ticket.7. The payment: The Refund Center will process your tax-refund and they can give you the money back in two ways, depending on your total amount.

• If the total amount of the refund is $500 USD or below, you get your refund in cash.
• If the total amount of the refund exceeds $500 USD, it will be issued in checks.
There is also a third option; you can also obtain the refund by mail.

How to claim tax refund in Texas?

The requirements for claiming tax back in Texas: You need have spent at minimum $12 USD in sales tax per store location. The $12 USD can be grouped from multiple receipts. The goods must be bought within 30 days of departure.1. Shop at Texas’s tax-free stores: there are 6000+ stores participating the tax-free program. The stores include designer brands like Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Celine, Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton and more. If you’re unsure whether the store is a part of the program, ask the Sales Assistance for guidance.2. When you’re at the cashier: show your passport to verify that you’re eligible for tax-refund.3. The purchase will be included with sales tax: which can be claimed back later.4. Keep the original receipt: the receipt is very important. Ask the staff whether all documents are complete for tax refund (just in case).5. Go to one of the Refund Service Desk: it’s time to claim your tax back. Here is a list where the Refund Counter is located:

Galleria Dallas Level 3 Near Old Navy 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas Texas – I-635 at Dallas North Tollway Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm	Highland Park Village- Dallas Located between Chanel and Starbucks 100 Highland Park Village, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75205 Opening time: Wednesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
North Park Center Between Salvatore Ferragamo and Tory Sport 8687 North Central Expressway, Suite 1416, Dallas, Texas 75225 Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm	Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Terminal D Outside Security Near American Airlines Check-In Opening time: Monday – Friday, 6:00am – 9:00pm Saturday & Sunday, 8:00am – 8:00pm
The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso Inside Food Court 7051 S Desert Blvd, Canutillo, Texas 79835 Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 11:00am -9:00pm Sunday, 10:00am – 7:00pm	Grand Prairie Premium Outlets Near Customer Service 2950 W. Interstate 20, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052 Opening time: Monday -Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 11:00am – 6:00pm
Grapevine Mills Neighborhood 1 near Ross 3000 Grapevine Mills, Grapevine, Texas 76051 Opening time: Monday- Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm	Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)* Terminal D Outside Security by Qatar Airways Ticketing Booth Opening time: Daily, 8:00am -10:00pmTerminal E*: Outside Security by United Airlines Check-In Opening time: Daily, 9:00am – 8:00pm
Houston Premium Outlets Inside Food Court 29300 Hempstead Road, Cypress, TX 77433 Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm	River Oaks District- Houston iPic Theater, 1st Floor 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite C145-A Houston, Texas 77027 Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 10:00am – 7:00pm Sunday, 10:00am – 6:00pm
The Galleria-Houston Macy’s level 1 5135 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77056 Opening time: Monday – Thursday, 11:00am – 9:00pm Friday – Saturday 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm	The Galleria-Houston Luxury Row: Rink Level Near Post Office 5015 Westheimer Ave Suite 1000-A, Houston, Texas 77056 Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm
La Plaza Mall Macy’s Level 2 2200 South Tenth St McAllen, TX 78501 Opening time: Monday – Wednesday, 10:00am – 9:00pm Thursday – Saturday, 10:00am – 10:00pm Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm	Tanger Outlets in San Marcos Near Reebok 4015 I-35 South,Suite 331A ,San Marcos, Texas 78666 Opening time: Monday – Saturday, 9:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, 10:00am – 7:00pm


6. The payment options: you can get your tax back in two ways:
• In cash
• In check
• Via Paypal