HCM City refunds US$1.4 million of VAT to foreigners
Ho Chi Minh City has refunded over VND30 billion (US$1.4 million) of value added tax (VAT) to foreigners exiting Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat International Airport border gate since July 1, 2012.
According to the city’s Customs Department, the sum was claimed by more than 8,000 foreigners for their goods paid at a total of nearly VND390 billion (US$18.6 million).
A majority of the goods were eye glasses, cosmetics, clothes, footwear, watches, computers, wallets and jewellery.
However, some problems have been mentioned, including the processing time for tax refund and inadequate information printed on tax returns.
This prompted the Customs Department to ask the Ministry of Finance to standardize the processing time, define concrete responsibilities of goods sellers, and organize regular training courses for customs staff.
It has also proposed the application of a single tax refund solution across the country to make the refund processing easier.