As an international student seeking to know about the VAT refund, this complete guide will help you in claiming the refund when you depart the country.
Are you an international student seeking a VAT refund in the UK? Here is a complete guide on international student VAT refund UK to learn more about how to file a VAT refund claim in the UK. A VAT refund is the reimbursement of the VAT you paid as a non-resident on items you bought in Europe. If the thing you purchased had a 20% VAT incorporated, you could get a reimbursement for this consumer tax when you depart the country.
Table of Contents
- Eligibility to Claim for International Student VAT Refund UK
- Refund Rates of the UK
- 5 Top Tips for Student Tax Refund
- How to Claim Student Tax Refund
Eligibility to Claim for International Student VAT Refund UK
If the thing you purchased had a 20% VAT incorporated, you could get a reimbursement for this consumer tax when you depart the country. There are some eligibility criteria you should know before applying for the claim for an international student VAT refund in the UK.
- You may be eligible for a VAT refund on purchases you bought in the UK over the previous three months if you are a non-EU resident studying in the UK and you are leaving the UK and EU for 12 months or longer
- It's crucial to understand that by requesting the tax refund, you are promising not to use a student visa, short-term study visa, or even a tourist visa to enter the UK or the EU for the ensuing 12 months. It can prevent you from returning to the UK for your graduation or any retakes or resits that might be necessary for you to finish your programme.
- You might want a letter from Student Services to support your claim for an international student VAT refund UK at Customs if you intend to leave the UK before the course's official finish date, as shown on your CAS
They will only be able to issue a statement stating that you are no longer required to stay in the UK for the balance of your study if
- It has been acknowledged to you verbally and in writing by your academic department. You would have to present or send this documentation to the Visa Compliance staff.
- You are no longer required to complete your study in the UK, and the Visa Compliance team has agreed to inform the UKVI that King's would stop sponsoring your visa
- You have spoken with a member of the Advice & Guidance team that you know your student visa may expire, and you cannot come back to the UK for the next 12 months once you claim the refund
Refund Rates of the UK
The refund percentage in the UK is between 4.3% and 16.7% of the purchase price, with a minimum of 33 EUR (2,692.36 INR) for each receipt (2,418.59 INR for Premier Tax-Free locations).
- The highest refund rates for large purchases (up to 16.7%)
- The lowest minimum spending requirements
- The lowest refund rates for small purchases
Purchase Amount |
Percentage (%) |
Less than 400 GBP (38,691.50 INR) |
4.3% - 12% |
400 GBP - 4,000 GBP (38,691.50 INR - 3,86,915.04 INR) |
12% - 14% |
4,000 GBP - 15,000 GBP (3,86,915.04 INR - 14,50,993.57 INR) |
14% |
Over 15,000 GBP (>14,50,993.57 INR) |
Around 16.7% |
5 Top Tips for Student Tax Refunds
Student tax refund tips given below can provide you with a basic understanding of tax in the UK. It will be a helpful way to save your money and pay the right amount of tax. As a student, there are several things you can claim back on your tax return. Students from overseas studying and working in the UK will also be able to make claims on international student VAT refund UK and often are owed even more tax back than UK residents.
- Most working students are entitled to a tax return
- You can recoup all your taxes if you pay less than the tax-free threshold ($12,570)
- To request a tax refund, you must have your P60 or P45. You'll need to get a "statement of earnings" from your employer if you don't have the paperwork.
- Check out our free tax refund calculator to determine how much tax you owe
- To help in obtaining your tax refund, you might utilise a tax agent. It's like paying the post office to expedite getting a new passport.
How to Claim International Student VAT Refund UK Online
If you are a student employed in the UK, check Tax Back UK Student Tax Refunds to determine if you are entitled to receive money back. All you need to do is complete a form, which is quick and it is easy to do. It is a no refund, no cost service, so you have nothing to lose.
We discussed the international student tax refunds available for students studying or working abroad in the United Kingdom. Before leaving the country, get your tax refunds done. So here is a guide which you can use to claim an international student VAT refund in UK. Claim your tax refund online after making sure that you are eligible to apply for the claim.
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