Travelling abroad - can I reclaim local taxes?

[simpo two]

I've just come back from a month in NZ, where everything is subject to 15% GST (Goods and Services Tax). Being self-employed, I have by instinct kept all my receipts...

Something tells me that as I'm not a NZ resident I shouldn't have to pay NZ taxes - so can I claim the GST back and if so how, please?

(NB They also have 10% Bank Holiday Tax - don't tell Gordon...)

[Eric Mc]

I'm no expert in NZ taxes. However, GST seems to be the NZ equivalent of our VAT. If you are a non-EU resident, you can ask when buying products in the UK (and other EU countries) for the shop not to levy the VAT. Some large shops have special VAT reclaim offices for non-EU residents and most airports and ferry ports have Customs offices where a non-EU resident can reclaim the VAT at the point they are leaving the country. However, once you are back in your non-EU resident country, it is usually not possible to get the VAT refunded to you.

As I said, however, I have no idea if New Zealand operate any similar scheme.