Hi all - have a question that I couldn't find the answer to from a search online - if I have a receipt from a retailer totalling over $300 with multiple items, is it possible to claim a GST refund on only one of those items at the TRS desk?
And if so, then does that one single item have to cost at least $300?
Might be a stupid question, but thought I'd ask anyway to see if anyone has any input.
Thanks for reading!
Legally:
If you purchase an item which itself is less than $300, and the receipt total is $300 or more, you must present all items on that receipt; or
If you purchase an item which itself is greater than $300, you can either present just that item or all items on that receipt.
Keep in mind though, that the more items you present at TRS, the larger your refund will be.
Thanks for this. Can I ask where you got that quoted text from?
See the TRS website
your purchases from any single business total $300 (GST inclusive) or more. For example, if you bought items from one business - even on separate invoices - that together total $300, these items may be eligible for a tax refund under TRS
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Tour/Are-you-a-traveller
So to answer your question….
And if so, then does that one single item have to cost at least $300?
Yes it does. You can't do TRS on items under $300.
If you are buying a couple of items and only one is going to be taken overseas then it might be best to ask for that item to be processed separately…
Thanks for the link, but I've read that on the TRS website as well, and didn't think it was clear on the point I'm asking about.
The scenario I have in mind is:
- Item A = $250
- Item B = $100
Both on the same tax invoice.
I know that if I present both Item A and Item B at the TRS counter, I can claim the GST back on both items, ie refund of $31.82.
However, can I present Item A only, and claim the GST back on that item (ie $22.73), by virtue of the fact that the invoice total amount is over $300?
It sounds like a dumb question, and the common sense answer would probably be no - but I can't seem to find any explicit statement that rules this out.
However, can I present Item A only, and claim the GST back on that item (ie $22.73), by virtue of the fact that the invoice total amount is over $300?
No you can't because the singular item you are claiming TRS on has to be over $300. I'm sure it does say that on their website.
Why can't you just take both items ?
NO you dont need to show them anything if you get the paper form at the airport and just drop it in the box. Don't need to show them anything then…
I have done this on at least 4 occassions in the last 12 months
what box? I've never heard of doing it like this before? When I went, he checked everything.. until he got tired of checking and just believed me but I had a huge pile of stuff
I did the form once when it was really busy. One of the staff handed them out to people who don't mind to have the money transferred later. But I don't know if you can do form if there's no one queueing…
Did the items need to be in the original packaging? (sealed box)?
Or can I open the box and put individual items in my luggage?
It's a nutri ninja
no it definitely doesn't need to be in the box. You can be wearing it/using it/have it completely opened and out of all packaging.
I took sneakers and a bunch of kathmandu stuff all out of packaging last time and i'll be doing a round of gadgets in a few weeks all out of packaging.
Thanks.. that will save lots of luggage space.
Boxes are quite bulky
I probably wouldn't take the blade through security.
If I have goods totalling over $300 but they were from separate retailers…. and not the same business…. can I still claim?
eg:
$150 one store
$80 second store
$100 third store
or do I HAVE to have $300 of goods from
the one single store?
Can I only can claim receipts that are $300+ or can they be combined… from different stores)?
(I have one receipt well over $300 from one store but there are a few other items I would like to be able to claim if I can but the other items might not be $300 from one single store they might be only eg$160 but the total of my receipts if I eg 2 receipts will equally $460)
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/tour/are-you-a-trav…
your purchases are from a single business with the same Australian business number (ABN) and total AUD 300 (GST inclusive) or more. For example, if you bought items from one business, even on separate invoices, that together total AUD 300, these items could be eligible for a tax refund under the TRS
https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/airport-guide/departing/int…
To claim a refund you must:
spend $300 or more (including GST) in a single business;
Yes, to be on the safe side; though I have got the GST back and lady didn't even bother to ask me to show the item.