Does anyone know if you can claim VAT back when you leave the country?
We are just finishing the selling of out house and we are leaving the UK, for Australia, five days after the house is sold. Estate agents fees are 1.6% (eeek) and then we have to pay 17.5% VAT on top of all of that. The VAT alone is enough to buy us most of the furniture we need when we get there.
As we are permanently leaving the country can we claim that VAT back?
I guess the tax man has thought of that, but it is worth asking.

Takes a long time this visa processing!

Paul,

Your question made me smile ... which I dare say gives you an indication of the answer ... :-))

Best regards.

quote:

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Originally posted by Paul:
Does anyone know if you can claim VAT back when you leave the country?
We are just finishing the selling of out house and we are leaving the UK, for Australia, five days after the house is sold. Estate agents fees are 1.6% (eeek) and then we have to pay 17.5% VAT on top of all of that. The VAT alone is enough to buy us most of the furniture we need when we get there.
As we are permanently leaving the country can we claim that VAT back?
I guess the tax man has thought of that, but it is worth asking.

Takes a long time this visa processing!

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Alan Collett
alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
http://www.gomatilda.com and
http://www.collettandco.co.uk
Offices in Southampton, England; Perth, Australia; and Melbourne, Australia

Just a thought! :-)

Takes a long time this visa processing!

I have also sold my house and leaving one week later, excuse my ignorance , but why are you paying VAT on the sale of your house ?.

The VAT is due on the Estate Agent's fees.....

Pheeeew ........had me worried, luckily sold the house myself, not long to go now.

No one wants my house at the moment. (Mind you the agents are a bunch of cowboys!)