Something we are all used to in this country is the concept of paying tax. We have to pay tax on the vast majority of purchases we make in our lifetime as well as every pay packet we receive. It is what fuels the economy and allows the government to distribute funds where and when needed.

A percentage of every wage packet we will ever receive goes to the government as tax, as does a slice of what we pay on every shop purchase we make, and it is this money that allows our economic system to work and our government to manage it.

Ironically, it is for these same reasons that everyone hates paying tax! And why shouldn’t we? We know everyone has to do it and we know if we didnt then there’s a good chance anarchy would ensue, but why should that stop us having a good old moan about it?

If however you are a visitor to the UK (or a select few other EU countries) and are a resident of a country outside the EU then there is a scheme in places in certain shops that allows you to claim back any tax that you pay on your purchases!

There are five steps that you should take in order to claim your tax back, and they are:

1. Look for the sticker in shop windows indicating that they participate in the tax free shopping scheme.

2. Check the minimum purchase amount in order to qualify for a tax refund (this can vary from shop to shop)

3. Request and fill out the tax refund cheque form.

4. When you get to customs on your way home, display your passport along with your completed tax refund check form.

5. Visit the tax refund office in the airport to claim your tax back, or you can send of the form via post and receive the full amount back either in the form of a cheque or you can have it credited to your credit card.