Obtaining a refund for tax paid in Germany

[KatieJ]

DH made a purchase in Germany, was told to hand the receipt  to someone in customs to obtain the tax refund as he is not a citizen.  He didn't have the tax form, didn't know about it, and they refused to go further. 

 

Is there a way to obtain that refund?  It's 50.00, significant enough we would like to get it back.

 

I believe he had the receipt stamped in customs.

 

[FaithManor]

 They have this procedure in Iceland. We had to save all of our receipts, go to the tax refund office in Reykjavik to get the form and instructions, then post them from the city or the airport. We mailed them from the airport. Since we used our credit card for all of our transactions, they refunded the VAT to the card within about 14 days.

 

So since I know of the issue, but not that specific country, I looked up the info. Here is a link to Rick Steves article on the subject. 

 

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/vat-refunds

 

 

[KatieJ]

FaithManor, the problem is he didn't have the form with him at the airport.  The shop didn't offer him one, just told him to get it refunded at the airport.  So we dont have a document with a stamp on it. Rick Steves article makes it sound like we donated that 50.00 to the German economy.  :(

[FaithManor]

FaithManor, the problem is he didn't have the form with him at the airport.  The shop didn't offer him one, just told him to get it refunded at the airport.  So we dont have a document with a stamp on it. Rick Steves article makes it sound like we donated that 50.00 to the German economy.  :(

You might have. But, I'd maybe try to contact the nearest German Consulate by email to see if they have a copy of the form.

 

Stateside though the chances of being successful are probably low.