Oct. 15, 2003

Tax Refund Program for Foreign Travelers

More than 20 department stores around the island, including eight in Taipei, have been approved as tax-return shops as the government start to implement a new system beginning October 2003 as part of a program to boost tourism, the Ministry of Finance said.

The ministry also unveiled the TRS logo that will be displayed in all shops under the program. Ministry officials said that the move to permit 5 percent business tax refunds for tourists is in tune with the government's efforts to double the number of tourist arrivals by 2008.

Foreign tourists who spend more than NT$3,000 (US$88.75) in the same TRS department store in a day and take the goods out of the country within 30 days will be eligible for the tax refunds providing they complete the necessary forms in the shop and then get the forms endorsed at the airport before they depart. For more information, please check out the following web site:

http://www.ntat.gov.tw/english/information/passengers.htm

P.S. Please also refer to this document.