Can i get a tourist tax refund from the government in the United States??

Question

I was visiting United States as a tourist in december last year (2006). Can i get a tax refund for the things that i buy when i was there?? I ask this because in countries like Spain or Argentina you can get a refund over the taxes you've spent during the time you stay in the country, thanks for your answer

It's from sales taxes, and i was in florida

Answer 1

Nope; the sales taxes you were charged are not going to be refunded by either the feds or the states.

Florida taxes tourists. There is no refund opportunity. From Florida's regulations:

A dealer is required to collect tax on sales of tangible personal property when the property is delivered to the purchaser or the purchaser's representative in Florida, whether the disclosed or undisclosed intention of the purchaser is to transport the property to a location outside Florida, or whether the property is actually so transported. Every sale of tangible personal property to a person physically present at the time of sale is presumed to have been delivered in Florida.

Answer 2

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Sales Tax: is on goods and services and is set by each of the fifty states, and state entities (such as cities and counties), not by the U.S. government. Each state and state entity determines what the sales tax will be (always a percent of the purchase price) and what items will and will not be assessed a sales tax. The sales tax is not included in the advertised price of goods.

Please note: sales tax is not the same as value-added tax (VAT). The state sales tax is a small tax on purchases or services, calculated at the time of purchase, which individual states assess and which the U.S. Federal government neither determines nor receives. The VAT, on the other hand, is a national tax commonly applied in foreign countries that is included in the actual sales price rather than at the time of purchase. The United States does not have a VAT, and the Federal government cannot refund state sales taxes. Also, many states do not charge tax on items shipped out of state. Ask about state sales tax policies in the state where you make your purchases.

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Answer 3

You are talking about the sales tax that was charged on the items you purchased. Since the sales tax is charged by the state, and not the US federal government, you have to check to see if the state allows for you to request a refund of state sales taxes. For example, I believe that Texas will refund sales taxes that they collected if you file a form.

Answer 4

No. Sales tax is not refundable.