Tax and VAT refunds, across borders
Paid tax in a country you've left, or VAT on shopping abroad? Some of it may be owed to you. Each country has its own official route, and you can usually use it yourself, for free. We've read each one and show when we last checked.
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Worked or shopped in more than one country?
Each tax office looks after the tax paid to it. See who to ask in each country, side by side.
Here's who to askBy country
- Getting UK tax back, from anywhereUnited Kingdom
- Getting Dutch income tax back, up to 5 years backNetherlands
- Leaving Australia? GST back on goods, and your superAustralia
- US tax refunds: how far back you can still askUnited States
- Getting Irish tax back: the four-year ruleIreland
- Getting German tax back: filing a voluntary returnGermany
- Canadian tax refunds, and what visitors should knowCanada
VAT refunds
Time limits at a glance
| Country | Route | How far back | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Income Tax paid too much in the UK, for earlier tax years. | Generally within 4 years after the end of the tax year (tax years end on 5 April). | GOV.UK (HMRC) | 3 November 2026 |
| Netherlands | Dutch income tax paid too much, for earlier years, including from abroad. | Up to 5 years back. For 2021, the return must arrive by 31 December 2026. | Belastingdienst | 3 November 2026 |
| Ireland | Irish PAYE and Self-assessment tax paid too much, for earlier years. | The last four years. For example, 2022 by 31 December 2026. | Revenue (Irish Tax and Customs) | 3 November 2026 |
| Germany | German wage or income tax paid too much, by filing a voluntary return. | A voluntary return within four years. For 2022, by 31 December 2026. | Finanzämter Baden-Württemberg | 3 November 2026 |
| United States | US federal income tax paid too much, whether or not a return was filed. | Never filed: usually three years from the due date (for 2022, 15 April 2026). Filed: generally 3 years from filing or 2 from paying, whichever is later. | IRS | 3 November 2026 |
| Canada | Canadian income tax paid too much, for years beyond the normal three-year period. | Beyond the normal three years, the CRA can consider refunds only for tax years that ended in the previous 10 calendar years. | Canada.ca (CRA) | 3 November 2026 |
| Netherlands | Dutch VAT paid by businesses based outside the EU. | Before 1 July of the following year; up to 5 years later is possible, but without the right to object or appeal. | Belastingdienst | 3 November 2026 |
| United Kingdom | UK VAT paid by businesses based outside the UK (VAT Notice 723A, form VAT65A). | Refund year 1 July to 30 June; apply by 31 December after it ends. | GOV.UK (HMRC) | 3 November 2026 |
| All EU countries | VAT paid in another EU country by an EU business (Directive 2008/9/EC). | By 30 September of the year after the refund year. | HMRC | 3 November 2026 |
| All EU countries | VAT on goods bought by visitors who live outside the EU. | Show the goods to customs when you leave, within 3 months of buying them. | Your Europe (European Union) | 3 November 2026 |
| Ireland | VAT on goods bought in Ireland by visitors who live outside the EU (Retail Export Scheme). | Take the goods out of the EU by the end of the third month after the month you bought them. | Revenue (Irish Tax and Customs) | 3 November 2026 |
| Germany | VAT on goods bought in Germany by visitors who live outside the EU. | Take the goods out before the end of the third month after the purchase. | Zoll | 3 November 2026 |
| United Kingdom | VAT on goods bought in Northern Ireland by visitors who live outside Northern Ireland and the EU. | Northern Ireland only: take the goods out of Northern Ireland and the EU within 3 months. | GOV.UK (HMRC) | 3 November 2026 |
| Australia | GST on goods taken out of Australia by visitors and people leaving (Tourist Refund Scheme). | Goods bought within 60 days of departure; lodge before you leave. | Australian Border Force (Department of Home Affairs) | 3 November 2026 |
These time limits are open data, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: tax-refunds.json
Do you need a company to do this?
Some companies offer to ask for a tax refund for you. They usually charge a fee or keep a share of the refund. The official route on this page is free, and you can usually use it yourself. If you do use a company, read its terms first so you know what it will take.
Questions
How far back can I get Dutch income tax back?
Up to 5 years back. For 2021, the return must arrive by 31 December 2026.
How far back can I file a voluntary German return?
A voluntary return within four years. For 2022, by 31 December 2026.
Can visitors get GST back in Canada?
No. There's no general GST/HST refund for visitors' shopping.
We always point people to the free government tracing route first, and we take nothing from financial advisers.
Frank Marco and the Capital FM ★ Find Money team