VNA-Jan 22
The Thai government recently announced new regulations that make it easier for foreign visitors to claim value-added tax (VAT) refunds on goods purchased in Thailand. The regulations, taking effect on Jan. 1 this year, expand the eligibility criteria for refunds and increase the maximum refund amount. Earlier, visitors had to wait in a queue for a long time for claiming VAT refunds. With a view to handling the congestion at airports, the Revenue Department has adjusted the criteria to align with the current situation, providing a more suitable and appropriate VAT refund process for tourists. Accordingly, the previous threshold of 5,000 baht (US$140) for goods to be declared to customs has been raised to 20,000 baht, which means tourists purchasing goods worth less than 20,000 baht can request a VAT refund directly from the Revenue Department without going through customs procedures. Besides, the number of categories of goods requiring declaration to the Revenue Department has been increased to include such items as jewelry, golden ornaments, watches, eyeglasses, smartphones and laptops or tablets. The value thresholds have been adjusted to 40,000 baht for certain items, and 100,000 baht for items that can be carried on board.
Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/thailand-rolls-out-new-vat-refund-for-foreign-tourists-4703863.html
