Action Line: VAT refund issues

  • Published
  • By Col. John T. Quintas
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander


COMPLAINT:

Sorry to be bringing a complaint and not a thank you for providing this service, but I have come across an issue that I would be interested in having addressed.

We had to take the family pet to the vet on the economy, and when we asked the vet to participate in the VAT program, they would not. They were unfamiliar with it, and I guess felt like having us take our pet home without paying for the service was something they were not comfortable doing. We assured them that we would be bringing the check back the following day and that we had done this before with a mechanic in town. They still were not comfortable. We told them we could provide documentation for this program and that the check would be government certified. Still, no budging. We have been going to this vet for two years and have always paid our bills on time at the time we left, but the expense had never been this large, so we had never come across this issues before.

We were unable to get our VAT back for an over 400 GBP purchase and we also ended our two year relationship with this vet based on the premises that they were unwilling to work with us. So we lost a good vet (medically speaking) and almost $175 worth of VAT.

At some point I think we can all see where they are coming from since it would take a day or two (depending on which base you are on, Alconbury's office only takes appointments Wed and Fridays) to get their money. Our vet should have, since they know us, so shame on them in this particular case, but another vet who doesn't know the client would be in a position to not want to participate also.

Basically the program is not set up to support the military member very well. The program says, well you can get VAT free from us, BUT if the company you are working with isn't willing then, oh well sorry!

It's just not a very easy thing to stomach when we are paying so much in taxes to a country we get no benefits from, and oh yeah we are still paying taxes in the state and country (USA) we aren't living in.

The attempt is there, I acknowledge that, and thank you, but there is some serious support lacking here also.

RESPONSE:

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience at a local business.

The VAT program was actually created by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Office for Third Air Force as a service for base personnel. We advertise in the local community to encourage VAT program participation, and while many UK vendors close to US bases choose to participate in the program, it is a strictly voluntary program. Participating in the program requires suppliers to complete extra paperwork as they must comply with UK tax reporting rules, so admittedly, there is some disincentive to businesses who may otherwise participate. But the incentive of course is that customers like you will vote with their wallets and bring their business to those who will participate.

Another route you may consider is that many services offered "downtown" are also offered on-base and are charged in dollars with zero sales tax. In your case, our veterinary clinic at Feltwell is available for most of your pets needs, even though sometimes more advanced pet care has to be done at facilities off-base at user expense. Unfortunately, in those cases where you must take your pet off-base (or use some other service off-base), I recommend always checking with the supplier prior to procuring supplies or services to see if they participate, or are willing to participate in the VAT program. I think if they know ahead of time that you intend to vote with your wallet, they may be more likely to participate. Also, regarding their fear that you may never come back to pay, some businesses keep an imprint of a credit card to ensure your return with the VAT-free check, but of course, it's still up to them.

I know this isn't exactly the answer you were hoping for, but unfortunately we have to operate the program within the constraints set out by our host nation. It is my sincere desire to streamline the program to make it easier for our Airmen and families to use whenever they have the opportunity, and to encourage local businesses to participate. Thanks again for bringing this to my attention. 

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