I can't find a specific forum so I will ask my question here in the general topic.

I dont normally bother to get VAT refunds when I leave a country because I dont normally buy large expensive items or keep receipts. This time however I have decided to indulge myself on a new laptop computer as well I find I have to go home unexpectedly.

I assume there is some sort of VAT on the laptop, does anyone know if I can claim a refund at the airport when I leave.

If you've bought the laptop already and paid the VAT, you're screwed.

Well, you could go back and ask if they'll let you fill in the form and back-date it to the receipt date.

Weirder things than that have happened in accounting in this country.

If you didn't have to go home I would suggest going to Taiwan.

I got an Asus laptop top of the line specs for 38,000b over there. The model below that was 53,000b here.

You can pay for the flight and take a nice holiday for that difference.

You can pay for the flight and take a nice holiday for that difference.

Well I expect to pay about $800 less here than in Australia which is almost the return airfare