Problem with double VAT

Summary: The discussion involves matsko_58 and guangxi_hone addressing an issue related to double VAT taxation. It appears to be a back-and-forth exchange where solutions or experiences regarding this problem might be shared. Details about the specific solutions or resolutions are not provided in the discussion.

Hello, I bought an item (price including VAT etc.). At the post office I was charged additional VAT.

It turned out that the item is damaged, so I sent it back. Ebay insists that I am not entitled to a refund of the additional VAT from them and that I should contact the customs authorities.

From what I’ve read here many times, people do get the double VAT refunded, so why don’t they want to now? The Indians reply by email that they refunded the VAT when they refunded the money for the item. But that was the refund of the original VAT. And this second additional one should probably be refunded too? After all, it must have been the seller’s fault for filling out the declaration incorrectly?

In an analogous hypothetical situation. If I hadn’t returned the item right away and reported the double VAT, Ebay would have refunded it to me, and then, say, a month later I returned the item, would they then have given me back the amount without VAT? Because I’m betting that in that case they would have refunded the whole thing. And in that case I would have received the VAT twice. So why don’t they want to now?

matsko_58

1 View listings

Posted 3 years ago·Last reply 3 years ago

6 comments

guangxi_hone

·3 years ago

4360 View listings

"I still don’t understand how it works. So why do they give back their VAT if it’s charged twice? The post charges it and they give it back. And in this case they don’t give it back, do they?"

Think of the post office and eBay separately.

1. eBay charges VAT and refunds it if you report to eBay that the post office also charged it.

2. eBay will refund the VAT if the transaction is canceled

3. eBay will refund the VAT if there is a return of the purchase.

The post office (customs office) will also refund its VAT if it charged it, of course.

It will refund it if you prove that the purchase was sent back.

However, it will not refund its VAT if it was also charged by eBay because the Customs Office is above eBay.

UC is a government institution. eBay is one of many subordinate institutions.

That’s why eBay refunds double-charged VAT.

I hope I explained it and didn’t make it even more confusing.

matsko_58

OP3 years ago

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"It will not, however, get its VAT back if it was also charged by eBay because the Customs Office is above eBay." But who won't get theirs back? There was one charged through eBay, at the time of purchase. The second VAT was charged by the customs office and paid at the post office

guangxi_hone

·3 years ago

4360 View listings

they would give back the amount reduced by the VAT already refunded

matsko_58

OP3 years ago

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I still don't understand how it works. So why do they refund their VAT if it's charged twice? The post office charges it and they refund it. And in this case they don't refund it, because they don't?

guangxi_hone

·3 years ago

4360 View listings

From eBay you received a VAT refund along with the refund for the returned item.

The VAT charged by the post office is a matter for customs, and that’s where you should apply.

Contact them and find out what documents are needed to request a refund.

matsko_58

OP3 years ago

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But what in such a situation? In a similar hypothetical situation. If I didn’t return the item right away, reported double VAT. eBay would refund it to me, and then, say, a month later I’d return the item, would they then give me back the amount without VAT? Because I’m guessing they’d refund the whole thing then. And in that case I’d receive the VAT twice. So why don’t they want to now?