VAT Refund Calculator
Value Added Tax (VAT) is embedded in the retail price you pay in most countries outside the US. As a tourist exporting purchased goods, you may be entitled to a refund of the VAT portion, minus any processing fee charged by the refund agent. This calculator extracts the VAT from a tax-inclusive price using the correct formula (Price x VAT% / (100 + VAT%)) and subtracts the refund agency's handling fee to show your net refund. Enter the purchase price in the local currency, the country's VAT rate, and the processing fee percentage.
VAT refund formula
VAT in price = Price x VAT% / (100 + VAT%)
Processing fee amount = VAT in price x fee% / 100
Net refund = VAT in price - processing fee amount
This is the correct way to extract VAT from a tax-inclusive (gross) price. Do not simply multiply the price by the VAT rate, as that over-states the tax amount by applying the rate to the gross price rather than the net (pre-tax) price.
Common VAT rates by country
- France: 20% standard rate (reduced 5.5% and 10% rates apply to some goods).
- Germany: 19% standard rate.
- Italy: 22% standard rate.
- Spain: 21% standard rate.
- Japan: 10% (reduced 8% for food).
- Australia (GST): 10%.
Frequently asked questions
How is the VAT refund amount calculated?
The VAT included in the price is Price x VAT rate / (100 + VAT rate). For example, a 100 EUR item at 20% VAT contains 16.67 EUR of tax. After a 3% processing fee, the refund would be 16.67 x 0.97 = 16.17 EUR.
Who is eligible for a VAT refund?
Visitors who are not residents of the EU (or the country of purchase) and who are exporting the goods outside that tax jurisdiction may claim a VAT refund. Minimum purchase thresholds and specific procedures apply by country.
What is the minimum purchase amount for a VAT refund in Europe?
Thresholds vary by country. France requires a minimum of 100.01 EUR in a single store in one day. Germany requires 50 EUR. The UK ended its VAT refund scheme for tourists in 2021.
What is the processing fee?
Refund agencies such as Global Blue and Planet charge a handling fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the VAT amount. Some retailers offer direct refunds at a lower cost. Enter 0 if no fee applies.
Do I need original receipts to claim a VAT refund?
Yes. Most countries require the original tax invoice or receipt, your passport, the completed Tax Free form, and proof of export (customs stamp) at the border before departure.
Official sources
- European Commission, VAT Rates Applied in EU Member States: taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu.
- US Customs and Border Protection, Returning US Residents: cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.