By / 4th October, 2011 / Playa Blog / Off

Tax Back Refunds!

What Is it?
The Mexican Government is refunding the 14% VAT (tax) charged on some goods from some stores.  The list of stores is growing, but as of today here is a list of designated stores in Playa del Carmen:

taxbacksign1

Get a refund on tax paid for goods in Mexico

Opticas Devlyn, Aquatics, Xbaal, Wayan, Foto 5th Avenida, Maya Xel, Sunglass Island, Stanza, Zolar, Swarovski, Carracci, Rot’n Fire, Casa Tequila, Kool Boutique, Cloe, Ikarus, Plaza La Fiesta, Santa Prisca, Senor Frogs, Talleres de Ballesteros, Tequila Collection, Veari, Watch My Watch, Zingara, Shleter, 57K, Lens Lab, American Apparel, Astral Freaks, La Bodeguita del Medio, Daniel Espinosa, Delmar, Diaphani Collection, Diesel, Mare Swimwear, Mineralia, Oakley Store, Plaza La Fiests, Xbaal, Carlo’nCharlies, Subchrono, Opticas Espadas, Athletes Foot, Oro Valladiolid, Sunglass Island, Zingara

Where do you get the Refund?
When you are at the airport returning home you will see TaxBack booths.  They will refund tax that you paid for  goods purchased at TaxBack stores while in Mexico  (see list above).

What Should You Do?

  1. Shop at any affiliated TaxBack store. They are identified by the TaxBack logo or display at the entrance to the store. If in doubt, ask if the store is a TaxBack store.
  2. Your purchases must be a minimum of $1200 pesos (including VAT) and up to $3000 pesos (by today’s exchange rate that would be $85.53 – $213.82 US) if paid in cash, or unlimited if you pay with a credit card.  You can accumulate receipts from the same store during your trip.
  3. Ask for an official invoice.  Save the invoice and the credit card voucher/receipt
  4. It is recommended that before going to the airport, you photocopy your passport, boarding pass and Tourism Immigration Form. We didn’t do this, and at the airport they stapled our Tourism form to our boarding pass and we were able to use that.
  5. Go to the TaxBack module at the airport and present the following documents: vouchers and invoices passport, boarding pass and Tourism Immigration Form.
  6. If you purchased more than $5000 pesos, you might be asked to show the purchases at the TaxBack module.
  7. All documents must be under the same tourist name.

TaxBack charges a commission of 35% of the total tax refund as specified by the Mexican Revenue Service.

The following products and services are not subject to tax reimbursement:

  • Food, beverage, transportation and hospitality services (hotels, restaurants, taxicabs, airplane tickets, etc.)
  • Groceries and food products
  • Books
  • Medication
  • Opened bottles of alcoholic beverages

For additional information click here.

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